Trace all activity of a software install

[reader]

How can I trace all activity that occurs during an install of a
software package. All files copied, created.. all registry actions
taken. And log it somewhere.

I know there is a windows tool called `instaler'. That is supposed to
do this. I downloaded it from microsoft sight but cannot make it run.

Its a dos tool but I can't get it to run without errors so far.

I'd prefer something a little more sophisticated anyway.

I'd like to know for sure what gets installed and what files are
changed etc during installations.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

System Mechanic (www.iolo.com) includes a "System Snapshot" utility
you may be interested in. Windows XP has no such similar function.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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| How can I trace all activity that occurs during an install of a
| software package. All files copied, created.. all registry actions
| taken. And log it somewhere.
|
| I know there is a windows tool called `instaler'. That is supposed to
| do this. I downloaded it from microsoft sight but cannot make it run.
|
| Its a dos tool but I can't get it to run without errors so far.
|
| I'd prefer something a little more sophisticated anyway.
|
| I'd like to know for sure what gets installed and what files are
| changed etc during installations.

 

[reader]

.com) includes a "System Snapshot" utility
you may be interested in. Windows XP has no such similar function.

--

I went and looked at it. Downloaded the trial. It wants me to
uninstall any antivirus software I have before installing system
mechanic.

Berore doing that, can you tell me a little more about the system
snapshot tool?

Sounds like it takes a snap shot of the system. Then after
installing you'd take another and compare them. If that is how it
works it seems like a backwards way to go at it. And possibly quite
a lot of work to get list of changes.

Have you used this util?

 

[Ramesh [MVP]]

System Mechanic takes a snapshot of the registry, files and stores it in a log file. Once you've installed a software, the current registry/files are compared to the old snapshot and the difference is the output. Works pretty well. InCtrl5 utility from PCMag is another option, but no longer a freeware.

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k

.com) includes a "System Snapshot" utility
you may be interested in. Windows XP has no such similar function.

--

I went and looked at it. Downloaded the trial. It wants me to
uninstall any antivirus software I have before installing system
mechanic.

Berore doing that, can you tell me a little more about the system
snapshot tool?

Sounds like it takes a snap shot of the system. Then after
installing you'd take another and compare them. If that is how it
works it seems like a backwards way to go at it. And possibly quite
a lot of work to get list of changes.

Have you used this util?