Fixing Windows installation problems with custom scripts can be a useful debugging tool. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create and use custom scripts to troubleshoot common issues during the Windows installation process.

Prerequisites:

• Familiarity with scripting languages like PowerShell, Python, or Bash

• Basic knowledge of Windows installation process (WUIC) events

• A suitable script management tool (e.g., PowerShell, Python’s python -m venv command)

Create a Custom Script

• Choose a script language: For this example, let’s use PowerShell.

• Write the script: Use the .PS1 file format to write your script. You can paste the following code into a new file and save it with a .ps1 extension (e.g., InstallScript.ps1). This will create a new PowerShell script.

InstallScript.ps1


param (

    [string]$osName

)


function Start-Installation {

    Write-Host "Starting installation process for $osName"

    
Call the Windows API functions to start the installation process

    Start-WmiObject -Class Win32_OperatingSystem | Get-Process -Name 'WinExe' | ForEach-Object { 

        Start-Process -FilePath 'C:\Windows\explorer.exe' -ArgumentList '-runas,' -Verb RunAs -Wait

    }

}


function Stop-Installation {

    Write-Host "Stopping installation process"

    
Call the Windows API functions to stop the installation process

    Start-WmiObject -Class Win32_OperatingSystem | Get-Process -Name 'WinExe' | ForEach-Object { 

        Stop-Process -FilePath 'C:\Windows\explorer.exe' -ArgumentList '-runas,' -Verb RunAs -Wait

    }

}


function Error-Install {

    Write-Host "Error during installation"

    
Call the Windows API functions to display error messages

    Start-WmiObject -Class Win32_OperatingSystem | Get-Process -Name 'WinExe' | ForEach-Object { 

        Start-Process -FilePath 'C:\Windows\explorer.exe' -ArgumentList '-runas,' -Verb RunAs -Wait

    }

}


function GetInstallationProgress {

    Write-Host "Getting installation progress"

    
Call the Windows API functions to display installation progress

    Start-WmiObject -Class Win32_OperatingSystem | Get-Process -Name 'WinExe' | ForEach-Object { 

        Write-Host "Installing $osName"

        Sleep -Seconds 1

        Write-Host "Completed installing $osName"

    }

}


Call the functions in order to start the installation process

Start-Installation


GetInstallationProgress


Stop-Installation

Save and Activate the Script

• Save the script with a .ps1 extension (e.g., InstallScript.ps1)

• Activate the PowerShell console (you can do this by opening Notepad, typing $PSConsoleVersion, and pressing Enter)

• Import the custom script into your preferred IDE or text editor

Run the Script

• Open the Run dialog box (Press Windows + R) and type %windir%\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\powershell.exe followed by a space and then InstallScript.ps1. You can also run the script from the command line if you prefer.

• Once the script runs, it will display installation progress, errors, or other messages as needed.

Tips and Variations

• Use logging to track the execution of your script

• Integrate with other tools or services (e.g., Windows Deployment Services) for more advanced troubleshooting

• Create a custom prompt to display specific information during the installation process

By following these steps and tips, you can effectively troubleshoot common issues during the Windows installation process using custom scripts. Remember to test and refine your script over time to ensure it accurately represents the desired behavior of the Windows installation process.