Question

I want to create a batch file that helps multiple users install numpy on a Windows shared drive. Basically, users should not have to input options or perform any actions at all (as they would if they double-clicked the numpy executable installer).

A Python installation is already present. The users have to just run the batch file and install numpy into the default Python\Lib\site-packages location.

I’ve tried using the following commands:

numpy-1.6.1-win32-superpack-python2.7.exe /qn
numpy-1.6.1-win32-superpack-python2.7.exe /quiet
numpy-1.6.1-win32-superpack-python2.7.exe /passive

In all cases, the batch file is in the same directory as the executables and a graphical window pops up where the user has to click ‘Next’ again and again. Is there a way to run the install with ALL default options and not have user interaction?

Answer 1

It seems like the numpy install process is actually make of two installers. The outer one is NSIS, while the inner is python’s distutils installer. All NSIS installers have the /s for silent installs, but this NSIS installer invokes the distutils installer.

Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be any silent flags for the distutils installer. I see only two obvious options:

• compile numpy yourself and make it emit an msi installer (thus, should be able to silently be installed). Use python setup.py bdist_msi. If you prefer, you can generate an NSIS package using bdist_nsi.
• Use something like AutoIt to automate the distutils installer. Simply wait for the disutils window to appear & send it a series of keyboard shortcuts to automate the install.

The latter seems like the more practical solution. You could also try to get the python devs to get a silent flag into the distutils installer…