{"id":260,"date":"2020-03-19T18:47:13","date_gmt":"2020-03-19T16:47:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/?p=260"},"modified":"2020-03-19T18:47:15","modified_gmt":"2020-03-19T16:47:15","slug":"how-to-create-an-windows-10-unattended-installation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/how-to-create-an-windows-10-unattended-installation\/","title":{"rendered":"How to create an Windows 10 unattended installation"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time-approximately:<\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 5<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A Windows 10 unattended installation  can help IT immensely. One of the key steps along the way is creating an  answer file, which includes understanding the Windows Setup workflow.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p> By <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techtarget.com\/contributor\/Ed-Tittel\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ttgtmedia.com\/rms\/onlineImages\/tittel_ed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"121\" height=\"155\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Ed Tittel<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Writer, Trainer, Internet Consultant  &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/searchvirtualdesktop.techtarget.com\">SearchVirtualDesktop<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techtarget.com\/contributor\/Kari-Finn\">Kari Finn<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\t\n\t\n\tPublished: <a href=\"https:\/\/searchenterprisedesktop.techtarget.com\/archive\/2019\/10\">23 Oct 2019<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A&nbsp;Windows 10 unattended installation for the Creators Update &#8212; \nVersion 1703 Build 15063 or later &#8212; makes the install process more \nefficient. To do so, you must create an answer file with Microsoft&#8217;s \nsysprep utility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, you must install the <a href=\"https:\/\/searchenterprisedesktop.techtarget.com\/definition\/Microsoft-Windows-Assessment-and-Deployment-Kit-Windows-ADK\">Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (Windows ADK)<\/a>\n then run Windows System Image Manager (Windows SIM) from Start &gt; \nWindows Kits &gt; Windows ADK &gt; WSIM. To create a new answer file, \nyou must first create a catalog file. To do so, copy the install.wim \nfile from your Windows install media &#8212; the same image file you use to <a href=\"https:\/\/searchenterprisedesktop.techtarget.com\/answer\/How-to-use-a-technician-machine-to-create-a-custom-Windows-10-image\">install Windows 10 on a technician virtual machine<\/a>\n &#8212; from the Sources folder to a writable location. You cannot create a \ncatalog if install.wim is write-protected or stored in a nonwritable \nform, such as an ISO file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you copy install.wim to your host desktop, select File &gt; New Answer File.Then, browse to install.wim, and let Windows SIM create the catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Add components to the answer file<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Once Windows SIM creates the catalog, it opens an empty answer file.\n You must fill the answer file with components, each of which includes \none or more settings from various configuration passes. To create a \nWindows 10 unattended installation, you must ensure that Windows Setup \ndoes not require user input. This means you must add two components to \nconfiguration pass 1:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Microsoft-Windows-International-Core-WinPE<\/li><li>Microsoft-Windows-Setup<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>To add a component to an answer file, expand Components in the \nWindows SIM Image pane. Right-click a component, and select where you&#8217;d \nlike to add it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ttgtmedia.com\/rms\/editorial\/sED_tip_automate_Windows_10_figA_mobile.png\" alt=\"Add components to answer file\" width=\"586\" height=\"251\"\/><figcaption>    <strong>Add Microsoft-Windows-International-Core-WinPE to required pass 1.<\/strong>   <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>You can only use the Core-WinPE component during pass 1. Repeat the preceding steps to add Microsoft-Windows-Setup to pass 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Add properties to the various settings with Windows SIM<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You must select a component in the Answer File pane, then add or \nchange properties of related settings in the corresponding Properties \npane:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ttgtmedia.com\/rms\/editorial\/sED_tip_automate_Windows_10_figB_mobile.png\" alt=\"Language selection\" width=\"563\" height=\"452\"\/><figcaption><strong>    Set the language for the answer file.  <\/strong> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In Figure B, the computer and user location are set for the United Kingdom &#8212; <em>en-GB<\/em> for answer file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Expand International-Core-WindowsPE, enter OS language for setting SetupUILanguage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ttgtmedia.com\/rms\/editorial\/sED_tip_automate_Windows_10_figC_mobile.png\" alt=\"OS language setting\" width=\"614\" height=\"152\"\/><figcaption>  <strong>  Enter the OS language you want<\/strong>.   <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This takes care of the inception of Windows Setup. That&#8217;s when Setup\n prompts you to select a region, an OS language and a preferred keyboard\n layout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Windows Setup workflow<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>By default, Windows Setup prompts you to accept the <a href=\"https:\/\/searchcio.techtarget.com\/definition\/End-User-License-Agreement\">End-User License Agreement (EULA)<\/a>,\n to enter a product key and to select a disk where you will install the \nOS. For the disk, you may use existing partitions, wipe out existing \ndisk partitioning and create a custom partition scheme, or let Windows \ncreate system partitions and use the rest of the disk for the OS \npartition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To create a Windows 10 unattended installation, first accept the \nEULA. To do that, expand the Setup component, and select UserData. Then,\n click the AcceptEula properties box to open a drop-down list with a \nvalue named <em>true<\/em> (Figure D):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ttgtmedia.com\/rms\/editorial\/sED_tip_automate_Windows_10_figD_mobile.png\" alt=\"The EULA\" width=\"569\" height=\"290\"\/><figcaption><strong>    Accept the EULA.   <\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Selecting true in this case means the answer file provides the \ndesired value and the installer doesn&#8217;t have to wait for a human \nresponse to the question, &#8220;Do you accept the software license?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To skip the product key prompt and <a href=\"https:\/\/searchenterprisedesktop.techtarget.com\/answer\/What-do-I-do-when-I-cant-activate-Windows\">activate Windows<\/a> later, expand UserData, select ProductKey and enter a <a href=\"https:\/\/winaero.com\/blog\/generic-key-to-install-windows-10-rtm\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">generic Windows 10 key<\/a>.\n Generic keys are valid only when installing Windows. You cannot use \nthem to activate Windows. If you use this image to install Windows 10 on\n a PC that already has the same edition activated, Windows automatically\n activates based on its digital license, derived from the device&#8217;s \nhardware signature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With digital licenses, you can install and activate Home, Pro and \nEducation editions on a single laptop, for example. Then, you can select\n any of those editions when you reinstall, skip the product key and \nautomatically activate Windows, because the laptop has a unique digital \nlicense for all three editions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Activating the Enterprise edition requires a volume license or \nsubscription-based Enterprise E3 or E5 license. You can use either the \nVolume Licensing Service Center or your subscriptions to obtain such \nkeys, after which you can activate paid-for licenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Disk configuration and partitioning<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You configure a single hard disk for GPT partitioning on a <a href=\"https:\/\/whatis.techtarget.com\/definition\/Unified-Extensible-Firmware-Interface-UEFI\">Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI)<\/a>-based\n PC. You should use default Windows system partition sizes and convey \nall remaining free space available after you set up system partitions to\n the Windows partition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To add additional disks and configure a <a href=\"https:\/\/whatis.techtarget.com\/definition\/Master-Boot-Record-MBR\">Master Boot Record (MBR)<\/a>-partitioned\n disk on a basic input\/output system (BIOS)-based machine, disk \nconfiguration and partitioning require you to prepare the \nautounattended.xml file and install media separately for MBR and GPT. \nThe customized and captured Windows image can be the same, but when you \ncreate an ISO image for a Windows 10 unattended installation, you must \ndo so separately for MBR and GPT installs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Right-click the component named DiskConfiguration, then select Insert New Disk:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ttgtmedia.com\/rms\/editorial\/sED_tip_automate_Windows_10_figE_mobile.png\" alt=\"Adding a new disk.\" width=\"591\" height=\"290\"\/><figcaption><strong>    Insert a new disk.   <\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Select a newly added disk component. On its Properties pane, set \nDiskID = 0 and WillWipeDisk = True to wipe the disk drive before \ncreating new partitions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ttgtmedia.com\/rms\/editorial\/sED_tip_automate_Windows_10_figF_mobile.png\" alt=\"Wiping the disk drive.\" width=\"572\" height=\"154\"\/><figcaption><strong>    Wipe the disk drive before creating new partitions.  <\/strong> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>To expand the new disk, right-click CreatePartitions, and select Insert New CreatePartition:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ttgtmedia.com\/rms\/editorial\/sED_tip_automate_Windows_10_figG_mobile.png\" alt=\"Create a new partition\" width=\"574\" height=\"308\"\/><figcaption>   <strong> To expand the new disk, right-click CreatePartitions, and select Insert New CreatePartition.  <\/strong> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A GPT-partitioned Windows 10 disk needs a minimum of four partitions for a Windows 10 installation &#8211;namely:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/searchenterprisedesktop.techtarget.com\/definition\/Microsoft-Windows-Recovery-Environment-Windows-RE\">Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)<\/a>: 450 MB;<\/li><li>EFI System: 100 MB;<\/li><li>Microsoft reserved partition (MSR): 16 MB; and<\/li><li>OS: At least 20 GB<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to configure additional hard disks, add new disks in the same way you already did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additional UEFI\/GPT disks need two or more partitions &#8212; a 16 MB MSR partition and a normal <a href=\"https:\/\/searchwindowsserver.techtarget.com\/definition\/NTFS\">New Technology File System (NTFS)<\/a>\n partition. You can also divide the disk into multiple partitions, where\n formatting, drive letters and labels apply only to data partitions, not\n MSR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A BIOS-based machine with an MBR-partitioned system disk needs only \ntwo partitions &#8212; a 100 MB System Reserved partition and an OS partition\n with letter C. Both partitions should be formatted as NTFS, System \nReserved and active. For data disks, one partition will do. Data disks \nget a normal NTFS partition with a drive letter assigned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To partition UEFI\/GPT, edit the properties for all four partitions. \nStart with the WinRE partition, where you&#8217;ll set the following values:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ttgtmedia.com\/rms\/editorial\/sED_tip_automate_Windows_10_figH_mobile.png\" alt=\"Edit properties\" width=\"577\" height=\"217\"\/><figcaption><strong>    To partition UEFI\/GPT, edit the properties for all four partitions.   <\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are values for all four CreatePartition components:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1. CreatePartition (WinRE):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Extend = false<\/li><li>Order = 1<\/li><li>Size = 450<\/li><li>Type = Primary<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>2. CreatePartition (EFI):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Extend = false<\/li><li>Order = 2<\/li><li>Size = 100<\/li><li>Type = EFI<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>3. CreatePartition (MSR):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Extend = false<\/li><li>Order = 3<\/li><li>Size = 16<\/li><li>Type = MSR<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>4. CreatePartition (OS):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Extend = true<\/li><li>Order = 4<\/li><li>Size = Leave empty!<\/li><li>Type = Primary<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>To format these partitions, label them, assign drive letters, \nright-click ModifyPartitions and then select Insert New ModifyPartition:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ttgtmedia.com\/rms\/editorial\/sED_tip_automate_Windows_10_figI_mobile.png\" alt=\"Formatting partitions\" width=\"563\" height=\"324\"\/><figcaption>    <strong>To format partitions, label them, assign drive letters, right-click ModifyPartitions then select Insert New ModifyPartition.   <\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As with CreatePartitions, repeat this three more times. One by one, \nselect the ModifyPartition component, and change its properties. Figure J\n shows the WinRE partition properties:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ttgtmedia.com\/rms\/editorial\/sED_tip_automate_Windows_10_figJ_mobile.png\" alt=\"The WinRE partition\" width=\"598\" height=\"217\"\/><figcaption>   <strong> Look at the WinRE partition properties.   <\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are values for all four of the ModifyPartition components:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1. ModifyPartition (WinRE):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Format = NTFS<\/li><li>Label = WinRE<\/li><li>Order = 1<\/li><li>PartitionID = 1<\/li><li>TypeID = DE94BBA4-06D1-4D40-A16A-BFD50179D6AC<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>2.&nbsp;ModifyPartition (EFI):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Format = FAT32<\/li><li>Label = System<\/li><li>Order = 2<\/li><li>PartitionID = 2<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>3. ModifyPartition (MSR):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Order = 3<\/li><li>PartitionID = 3<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>4. ModifyPartition (OS):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Format = NTFS<\/li><li>Label = Windows<\/li><li>Letter = C<\/li><li>Order = 4<\/li><li>PartitionID = 4<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You must edit the properties of one last component. Expand the \ncomponent named ImageInstall, expand OSImage, select InstallTo and enter\n DiskID = 0, PartitionID = 4 and DiskID = 1. This tells the installer \nwhere to put the Windows OS image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ttgtmedia.com\/rms\/editorial\/sED_tip_automate_Windows_10_figK_mobile.png\" alt=\"Assign a location for the OS\" width=\"586\" height=\"227\"\/><figcaption>  <strong>  Tell the installer where to put the Windows OS image.   <\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>You can now remove all unused components on the Answer File pane by \nright-clicking them and selecting Delete. Or you can save the answer \nfile as autounattend.xml from File &gt; Save Answer File As, then select\n File &gt; Close Answer File and reopen it with File &gt; Open Answer \nFile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reopening the answer file runs a validity check. After reopening the\n file, the Messages pane should read, &#8220;No warnings or errors.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ttgtmedia.com\/rms\/editorial\/sED_tip_automate_Windows_10_figL_mobile.png\" alt=\"The Messages pane\" width=\"567\" height=\"219\"\/><figcaption>   <strong> Run a validity check for the answer file.   <\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also validate your answer file from Tools &gt; Validate Answer File. If there are errors, you have to start over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Next Steps<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Windows 10 <a href=\"https:\/\/searchenterprisedesktop.techtarget.com\/essentialguide\/Complete-guide-to-Windows-10-migration\">migration station<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/searchenterprisedesktop.techtarget.com\/tip\/Three-Windows-10-upgrade-questions-all-IT-admins-should-ask\">Key questions<\/a> for any Windows 10 upgrade<\/li><li>The importance of <a href=\"https:\/\/searchenterprisedesktop.techtarget.com\/tip\/Windows-10-user-training-minimizes-post-upgrade-headaches\">training users<\/a> in Windows 10<\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time-approximately:<\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 5<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span>A Windows 10 unattended installation can help IT immensely. One of the key steps along the way is creating an answer file, which includes understanding the Windows Setup workflow. By Ed Tittel Writer, Trainer, Internet Consultant &#8211; SearchVirtualDesktop Kari Finn Published: 23 Oct 2019 A&nbsp;Windows 10 unattended installation for the Creators Update &#8212; Version 1703 Build 15063 or later &#8212;<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/how-to-create-an-windows-10-unattended-installation\/\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,16,12,29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-260","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-engage-the-experts","category-how-tos-and-other-useful-tips-and-tricks","category-tekmart-enterprise-hardware-tips","category-windows-10"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/260","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=260"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/260\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":261,"href":"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/260\/revisions\/261"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=260"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=260"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=260"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}