Windows XP DPInst silent driver install

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DPInstall is by far the easiest way to install new hardware ,and using the xml file is a lot easier than trying to specify the command line options. (and most importantly you can set it to scan sub-directories)

Copy this out as dpinst.xml and keep it with dpinst.exe

Install only drivers mathicng hardware

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<dpInst>
	<enableNotListedLanguages/>
	<suppressWizard/> 
	<quietInstall/> 
	<suppressEulaPage/>
	<scanHardware/>
	<legacyMode/>
	<search>
		<subDirectory>*</subDirectory>
	</search>
</dpInst>


Install all drivers if present or not

Same without <scanHardware/>

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<dpInst>
	<enableNotListedLanguages/>
	<suppressWizard/> 
	<quietInstall/> 
	<suppressEulaPage/>
	<legacyMode/>
	<search>
		<subDirectory>*</subDirectory>
	</search>
</dpInst>

Run it

If you keep it named dpinst.xml and with the .exe you dont even need to specify it.

cmd /c dpinst.exe
rem Rescan PnP hardware, sometimes needed (this bit is XP specific)
cmd /c RunDll32.exe Syssetup.dll,UpdatePnpDeviceDrivers
rem Check it has done something
dir %SystemRoot%\system32\DRVSTORE
dir 

You should see new things here, check the folder dates.