How to Install Windows Drivers with Software App lications August 1, 2006 Abstract Microsoft® Windows Vista™ provides enhanced support for both software-first and hardware-first installat ions of driver packages that have accompanying software applications. This paper describes best practices for installing driver packages that include applications on the Microsoft Windows® family of operating systems. This information applies for the following operating systems: Microsoft Windows Vista Microsoft Windows Server® 2003 Microsoft Windows XP Microsoft Windows 2000 Future versions of this preview information will be provided in the Windows DriverKit. The current version of this paper is maintained on the Web at: http://www .microsoft.com/w hdc/driver/install /app_drv.mspx. References and resources discussed here are listed at the end of this p aper. Contents Introduc tion ................................................................................................................ ...... ...... .. 3 Methods for Installing Drivers with Applications................................................................... .... 3 Software -First Scenarios............................................................................................. ...... ... 4 Hardware-First Scenarios.................................................................................................... 4 Method 1: A Co-Installer that Launches an Application Installer ..................................... 4 Method 2: An Application that Is Integrated with the Driver Package............................. 4 Method 3: A HardwareId INF Directive in Autorun.inf..................................................... 5 Device Installa tion Proces s ...................................................................................................... 5 Method 1 Process: A Co-Installer that Launches an Application Installer ............................ 5 Software-First Scenari o ................................................................................................. .. 5 Hardware-First Scenario ................................................................................................. 6 Driver Updates ................................................................................................................ 6 Method 2 Process: An Application that Is Integrated with the Driver Package .................... 6 Software-First Scenari o ................................................................................................. .. 6 Hardware-First Scenario ................................................................................................. 6 Driver Updates ................................................................................................................ 7 Method 3 Process: A HardwareId INF Directive in Autorun.inf............................................ 7 Software-First Scenari o ................................................................................................. .. 7 Hardware-First Scenario ................................................................................................. 7 Driver Updates ................................................................................................................ 8 Implementing Installation Methods.......................................................................................... 8 Method 1 Implementation: A Co-installer that Launches an Application Installer................ 8 Implementi ng a Finish- Install Page ........................................................................... ...... 8 Implementing a Finish- Install Action ................................................................................ 9 Implementation Guidelines for Co-Installers ................................................................... 9 Method 2 Implement ation: An Applica tion that Is Integrated with the Driver Package....... 10 Method 3 Implementation: A HardwareId INF Directive in Autorun.inf............................... 10 Multifunc tion Devices ............................................................................................................. 11
