------------------------------------------------------- Microsoft Internet Explorer Administration Kit README Version 4.0 BETA: June 1997 ------------------------------------------------------- (c) Copyright Microsoft Corporation, 1997 NOTE: Please refer to the README.TXT that is installed with Internet Explorer 4.0 for the most current information on shell and browser issues. NOTE: This is the first release of the IEAK and is intended for review purposes only. Packages built with this version may not be completely stable and ready for distribution. ------------------------ HOW TO USE THIS DOCUMENT ------------------------ For best viewing of this file, click Word Wrap from the Edit menu, and maximize the window. To print this file, click Print from the File menu. -------- CONTENTS -------- WHAT'S NEW FOR IEAK 4.0 -Active Setup (plus single-floppy install) -Security Zones -Active Desktop Customizations -Improved Browser Customizations -System Policies and Restrictions Management -Improved INS Editor GENERAL SETUP REQUIREMENTS AFTER YOU RUN THE IEAK WIZARD FUTURE PLANS -16-bit packages -Customizations KNOWN ISSUES -------- WHAT'S NEW FOR IEAK 4.0 ======================= ACTIVE SETUP ------------ Active Setup provides some distinct advantages over previous installation methods. The Internet Explorer suite is broken up into components and each component can be downloaded separately. In the case of a broken connection or transfer error, Active Setup will be able to, in most cases, pick up where it left off. This implementation also provides for components to be dynamically updated. The newest components can be downloaded from Microsoft sites and then provided for your users. The IEAK will also create a single-floppy install package for ease of distribution. For file copying and placement information, see the end of this file. For a full explanation on how Active Setup works and how to configure and customize it, refer to the help documentation. SECURITY ZONES -------------- Internet Explorer 4.0 adds a new security feature called Security Zones. Security Zones break up the Internet and Intranet sites to allow for greater managability. Four default zones are included with Internet Explorer 4.0: Intranet, Trusted Web Sites, Internet, and Untrusted sites. Different security settings (high, medium, low, or custom) can be applied to each of these. The IEAK allows the corporate administrator to preset these settings. Additional security enhancements include customizable Content Ratings, Site Certificates, and Autheticode Publisher Certificates. The IEAK 4.0 includes the updated Authenticode 2.0. ACTIVE DESKTOP CUSTOMIZATIONS ----------------------------- The new features of Internet Explorer 4.0 are fully customizable via the IEAK. This includes Folder Webviews, Desktop Components, and Desktop Toolbars. These settings may also be locked down so the end-user can not change them. IMPROVED BROWSER CUSTOMIZATIONS ------------------------------- All of the previous browser customizations from the IEAK 3.2 are still available while the following have been added: custom user agent string, browser toolbar background, and unlimited links (formerly only 5 "Quick Links"). SYSTEM POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS MANAGEMENT ------------------------------------------- In both the IEAK Wizard and the INS Editor, corporate administrators have the ability to manage system policies and restrictions via an easy-to-use interface. Some of these restrictions include Active Desktop and shell feature lock-downs, and also component settings such as not allowing users to place calls from NetMeeting. IMPROVED PROFILE MANAGER ------------------------ The improved Profile Manager (formely known as the INS Editor) includes a tree-view pane that allows for easy access to all the options available in the wizard. Each option can be reached quickly and the interface for making changes is as simple as the wizard. The Profile Manager also has incorporated the System Policies and Restrictions management capabilities that are available in the wizard. GENERAL SETUP REQUIREMENTS ========================== Before you can use the IEAK on your machine, you must install Internet Explorer 4.0. Before starting the wizard, calculate how much disk space is required for the components you want to install. If you plan to install all the components of the Internet Explorer Suite, then you will need approximately 50 MB in the Program Files folder and 50 MB on the destination drive. For more information on the size of Microsoft components, refer to the help documentation under the References heading. AFTER YOU RUN THE IEAK WIZARD ============================= After the wizard has built your custom packages, you will need to make sure your users are able to access the created package. NOTE: Again, since this is the first release of the IEAK, it is not suggested you make the customized packages available to the general public. Also note the file procedure listed at the end of this file. FUTURE PLANS ============ 16-BIT PACKAGES --------------- The IEAK currently does not build packages for 16-bit platforms. A future release of the IEAK will provide a separate application for this customization. The 16-bit IEAK will be released soon after the final release of the 32-bit IEAK. CUSTOMIZATIONS -------------- The IEAK currently does not customize Favorites subscriptions and Channels. These are planned for subsequent releases of the IEAK in the near future. KNOWN ISSUES ============ -This release of the IEAK will only create downloadable and floppy (not CD) 32-bit packages. -Floppy install requires manual execution of INSTALL.EXE after restart. -JavaScript Auto-Proxy configuration is not working. -Some of the restrictions do not get set in an installed package. -There are no component customizations or restrictions. -The help documentation is not complete. In making a custom IE4.0 package with the IEAK, please note the following procedures: ===================================================================================== If you wish to build to your local drive as in: C:\myieak --------------------------------------------------------- 1. Specify the destination folder as : C:\myieak 2. Specify media types : Downloadable/Floppy Disk only. 3. Specify at least 1 download site. Change the Site URL to your http server's directory where you will download from. At the end of this path, append 'ie4site'. http://mywebsvr/myieak/ie4site 4. copy the ie4site folder from where you built the package: C:\myieak, to http://mywebsvr/myieak 5. run setup from your C:\myieak If you wish to build to your http server directly, as in: http://mywebsvr/myieak -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Specify the destination folder as : \\mywebsvr\inetpub\wwwroot\myieak 2. Specify media types : Downloadable/Floppy Disk only 3. Specify at least 1 download site. Change the Site URL to your http server's directory where you built to in step 1. At the end of this path, append 'ie4site'. Example: http://mywebsvr/myieak/ie4site 4. Run setup from your web server: \\mywebsvr\inetpub\wwwroot\myieak