How to prevent Microsoft Windows from prompting for a CD

Updated: 12/30/2019 by Computer Hope
Computer compact disc aka CD

Prevent Windows from requiring the Windows CD each time it needs files by copying the cabs and system files from one of the following directories to the computer's hard drive. Doing so allows you the ability to point to the folder containing the Windows system information. Commonly, this directory is "C:\WINDOWS\OPTIONS\CABS."

Operating System Cabs CD Directory
Windows 95 users D:\WIN95 *
Windows 98 & Windows 98 SE users D:\WIN98 *
Windows Me users D:\WIN9X *
Windows NT users D:\I386 *
Windows 2000 users D:\I386 *
Windows XP users D:\I386 *

* This location may change if your CD-ROM (compact disc read-only memory) drive is not the "D" drive and if the CD (compact disc) was created by the computer manufacturer.