The non-server-based sign-up process enables users to install your custom Internet Explorer browser by compact disc, floppy disks, or files that can be downloaded. The installation process requires them to change only the user name, password, and connection information to set up an account and connect to the Internet by using your custom browser.
In addition to customizing the way your browser appears to users, you can include up to 10 programs that users can choose to install when they set up your custom browser on their desktop computers. You can also add any or all of the optional Internet programs included with the kit. If the programs are included, you can specify whether they are automatically installed on the user's computer. Or, you can allow the user to select each component from an installation menu.
The serverless sign-up process enables ISPs that will not be using a sign-up server to provide customized installations to customers. A serverless sign-up process avoids the creation of a sign-up server by manually giving account information to the user and then requiring that the user change some settings after installation.
The regular sign-up server gathers information about a user and then prepares a custom configuration file that is downloaded to the user's desktop computer. Software in the Internet Explorer installation package uses the configuration file to configure the desktop computer.
In the serverless version, the configuration file is created before the package is shipped, and it is included in the installation package. Therefore, the configuration file contains no user-specific configuration information. The configuration file, Instal.ins, is invoked as a link from the local HTML page and configures most aspects of Internet Explorer.
If you are creating multiple customized versions of Internet Explorer and have many settings that stay the same across several or all versions, you can simplify the process. For more information, see Creating multiple versions of the browser.