SourceDisksFiles

SourceDisksFiles is a section in Windows INF (information) files that lists the files that must be copied from source installation media during setup. Each entry identifies a file to be copied and associates it with a source disk by referencing a DiskId defined in a separate SourceDisksNames section. This pairing allows Windows setup to locate and retrieve the necessary files from multi-disk installations, such as driver packages distributed on CDs, DVDs, or network shares.

The SourceDisksNames section defines the mapping between DiskId values and the actual source media, enabling the setup process to prompt for the correct disk when multiple disks or locations are involved. By separating the file list (SourceDisksFiles) from the media mapping (SourceDisksNames), INF authors can organize drivers and components that are not all on a single disk.

Entries in SourceDisksFiles indicate the file paths as they appear on the source media and reference the DiskId of the media containing those files. The setup process uses this information, in conjunction with other sections such as DestinationDirs and CopyFiles, to copy files to their proper locations on the target system during installation or upgrade.

Typical usage includes OEM driver packages, multi-disk software components, and updates that require files to be read from auxiliary media. The mechanism is a fundamental part of the Windows INF file model for guiding file installation and device driver setup.

See also: SourceDisksNames, DestinationDirs, CopyFiles, Inf, Windows Driver Kit.