Inno Setup Command to Siliently Install vcredist

From the command line:

vcredist_x86.exe /q:a /c:"VCREDI~1.EXE /q:a /c:""msiexec /i vcredist.msi /qn"" "

In an Inno Setup script:

[Files]
Source: {src}\bin\vcredist_x86.exe; DestDir: {app}\bin\;

[Run]
Filename: {app}\bin\vcredist_x86.exe; Parameters: "/q:a /c:""VCREDI~3.EXE /q:a /c:""""msiexec /i vcredist.msi /qn"""" """; WorkingDir: {app}\bin; StatusMsg: Installing Micosoft's C/C++ runtime ...

References

• Update regarding silent install of the VC 8.0 runtime (vcredist) packages, Aaron Stebner's WebLog
• Inno Setup MSVC vcredist without bothering your users, Aron 2 Blue
• Choosing a Deployment Method, MSDN Library

Concatenate Multiple Files on the Windows Command Line

If the files are small in size, and you have a small number of them:

type file1.txt > out.txt
type file2.txt >> out.txt
type file3.txt >> out.txt

If you have a large number of large files, this might be a better option:

copy /b file1.dat+file2.dat+file3.dat out.dat /b

or:

copy /b *.dat out.dat /b

Configure Windows XP to Render Fonts Better

While configuring a new computer today I needed to enable ClearType fonts on Windows XP. Believe me, this makes fonts on large LCD screens much sharper and smoother. Here's how:

Start --> Control Panel --> Display --> Appearance tab --> Effects. --> Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts check box --> ClearType

or

Right click on Desktop --> Properties --> Appearance tab --> Effects. --> Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts check box --> ClearType

See HOW TO: Use ClearType to Enhance Screen Fonts in Windows XP for more details.