Web-based installation of a software program takes more time than expected when you use a Windows Installer file in Windows Server 2003

When you run a Windows Installer (.msi) file of a software installation that is stored on a remote Web server by connecting to HTTP site of the Web server, you may experience a delay of three seconds between the download of every installation file during the installation process.

For example, you can install a Windows Installer package file that is located on a Web server by using the msiexec /i http://mwebserver/mysetup.msi command at a command prompt.

Note In this command, mywebserver is the remote Web server and mysetup.msi is the Windows Installer file.

You notice this problem when you use a Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer that does not have automatic proxy discovery settings configured.

To work around this problem, use one of the following methods. Use the method that is most appropriate to your requirement.

Method 1: Add a WAPD host entry in the Domain Name System (DNS) Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in of the DNS server

If your Windows Server 2003-based computer is a member of a domain, you can add an entry for the host WPAD in the DNS MMC snap-in of the DNS server and point it to the 127.0.0.1 IP address. To do this:

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and then click DNS.
2. Expand the DNS server, and then expand Forward Lookup Zones.
3. Click domain.name, where domain is the domain name and .name is the domain extension. For example, your domain may look similar to contoso.com, where contoso is the name of the domain and .com is the domain extension.
4. Right-click domain.name, and then click New Host (A).
5. In the Name (uses parent domain name if blank) box, type WPAD.
6. In the IP address box, type 127.0.0.1, and then click Add Host.
7. Click Cancel to close the NewHost dialog box.

Method 2: Add a WPAD host entry in the HOSTS file

You can also add an entry for the WPAD host in the HOSTS file of your Windows Server 2003-based computer and point it to the 127.0.0.1 IP address. To do this:

1. In Microsoft Windows Explorer, in the left pane, locate and then click the following folder:
   %Systemroot%\system32\drivers\etc
2. In the right pane, right-click hosts, and then click Open.
3. In the Open With dialog box, under Programs, click Notepad, and then click OK.
4. Move the pointer to the end of the file, and then type the following entry:
   127.0.0.1 WPAD
5. On the File menu, click Save.
6. On the File menu, click Exit.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.