Windows Setup Fails If No WIN.INI or SYSTEM.INI (82498)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows 3.11
This article was previously published under Q82498

SUMMARY

Setup fails to upgrade an existing installation of Microsoft Windows if the WIN.INI and/or SYSTEM.INI file has been deleted.

MORE INFORMATION

Before upgrading Windows over previous versions, you should not delete the existing WIN.INI or SYSTEM.INI file located in the Windows directory by default. These files contain important information regarding desktop settings, display drivers, and overall customization, which are not preserved if the files are deleted. Additionally, Setup may fail if these files are deleted.

NOTE: Setup does not check for existing .INI files before upgrading Windows.

If you deleted these files, you can correct your installation by reinstalling your earlier version of Windows or performing a full installation of the new version.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/10/2003
Keywords:KB82498
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.