ARCHIVED: How do I install Windows NT on my computer without using floppy disks?

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Note: For security and support reasons, UITS recommends using Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP Professional, rather than NT Workstation 4.0, on Indiana University's network. Microsoft retired both mainstream and extended support for this version in June 2004, which means security updates are no longer being developed. For more information, see Microsoft's Windows Desktop Product Lifecycle Guidelines page at:

  http://support.microsoft.com/?LN=en-us&pr=lifecycle

Note: For security reasons, you should install Windows or rebuild your Windows computer offline (i.e., unplug your network cable), and then take certain measures to assure its security before putting it back on the network. For instructions, see Safely rebuild your Windows computer

To install Windows NT (3.51 Server or Workstation, 4.0 Server or Workstation) directly from your CD-ROM without using the three NT floppy disks:

Insert the Windows NT CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive.
In DOS, or from an MS-DOS window, enter the following commands, using the drive letter for your CD-ROM drive (this example assumes the CD-ROM is drive E:):
```
  e:    
  cd \i386
  winnt /b
```

Alternatively, you may install Windows NT from your hard drive by copying the necessary files from your CD-ROM or from a network. You may wish to do this if you are concerned about losing access to your CD-ROM drive or server in the middle of the installation.

To do this, copy the i386 folder and all of its contents onto your hard drive, using Windows Explorer. If you use DOS, you must first create a directory called i386 on your hard drive, then copy the contents of i386 from the CD-ROM onto it. For example, if the CD-ROM (or network drive) is E: and the hard drive is C:, enter these commands at the DOS prompt:

  c:
  mkdir \i386
  copy e:\i386\*.* c:\i386

When the files have been copied, enter the following commands at the DOS prompt (if you are using Windows 95, open an MS-DOS window, or restart the computer in MS-DOS mode):

  cd \i386
  winnt /b

If you are upgrading from a previous version of Windows NT and are using a CD-ROM, follow these steps:

From the Program Manager taskbar, choose File.
From the File menu, choose Run.
When the dialog box appears, enter the following, replacing e: with the drive letter for your CD-ROM drive:
```
  e:\i386\winnt32 /b
```