JSI Tip 7869. The Specify Windows Installation File Location and the Specify Windows Service Pack Installation File Location Group Policy objects do not behave as described on the Explain tab?

The Explain tab in the Properties of the Specify Windows Installation File Location GPO states:

Specifies an alternate location for Windows installation files.

To enable this setting, enter the fully qualified path to the new location in the "Windows Setup file path" box.

If you disable this setting or do not configure it, the Windows Service Pack Setup source path will be the location used during the last time Windows Setup was run on the system.

The Explain tab for the Specify Windows Service Pack Installation File Location GPO contains:

Specifies an alternate location for Windows Service Pack installation files.

To enable this setting, enter the fully qualified path to the new location in the "Windows Service Pack Setup file path" box.

If you disable this setting or do not configure it, the Windows Setup source path will be the location used during the last time Windows Service Pack Setup was run on the system.

When you attempt to follow these instructions, the files are NOT retrieved from the location that you specify. You are prompted for the location of the installation media that was originally used.

This behavior occurs because the Explain tab is incorrect. The settings for these GPOs only apply to Windows File Protection and not to the Setup process.

To change the location of the installation files, see:

How do I change the location of the installation files .....

To change the location where Windows expects to find the Service Pack files, see:

I want to change the location where Windows ... expects to find Service Packs.