Windows 10: Image Windows 10 laptops with DISM (or other free tool)

Another cool thing I did was replace the install.wim file on a bootable USB key I created using the official Microsoft Windows 10 media with my own wim file so now when I do an install using the "official" media I get my very own custom install with Office...awesome!!

 

So I've created my image and have started to try and do an unattended install but I am still getting prompted for user input at the following screens:



.













How do I automate these screens using the unattend.xml answer file?

 

In answer file, add component Microsoft-Windows-International-Core to Pass 7 OobeSystem, set InputLocale, SystemLocale, UILanguage and UserLocale.

Add component Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup > OOBE to Pass 7 OobeSystem, set HideEULAPage and HideOEMRegistrationScreen to TRUE. Additionally, if your end users are not allowed to create a Microsoft Account in OOBE set HideOnlineAccountScreens to TRUE.

That about covers it.

 

The funny thing is I already have those items set:









but I'm still being prompted for these items when I begin the install?

My answer file is saved to: C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\unattend.xml

Am I doing something wrong?

The one thing that confused me is, when do you use unattend.xml and when do you use autounattend.xml?

 

... and then some that should not be set.

First look at your screenshots shows that you have used a few deprecated components not working anymore, not being compatible with Windows 10.

• HideLocalAccountScreen can only be used in Windows Server editions
• Network location is deprecated, can't be used in Windows 10 answer file
• SkipMachineOOBE is deprecated, can't be used in Windows 10 answer file
• SkiprUserOOBE is deprecated, can't be used in Windows 10 answer file

This from https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/...(v=ws.10).aspx (article written for WIndows 7 deployment but applies to Windows 10, too):

 

Ok, thanks! I have removed the incorrect values from the answer file that are not compatible with Windows 10.

Since I am booting from an ISO (that has my new/customised install.wim file) does that mean I shouldn't have an unattend.xml file in c:\windows\system32\sysprep and should ONLY have the Autounattend.xml in the root of the ISO?

 

If you have no components added to Pass 1 WindowsPE, you do not need autounattend.xml.

 

I seem to still be struggling with this despite having updated my unattend.xml file *Sad I still get prompted on the language screen and for all the other screens after that.

My unattend.xml looks as follows currenty:

Code: <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend"> <settings pass="specialize"> <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Deployment" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"> <ExtendOSPartition> <Extend>true</Extend> </ExtendOSPartition> </component> <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"> <CopyProfile>true</CopyProfile> <ComputerName>RENAME</ComputerName> <TimeZone>GMT Standard Time</TimeZone> <BluetoothTaskbarIconEnabled>false</BluetoothTaskbarIconEnabled> </component> </settings> <settings pass="oobeSystem"> <component name="Microsoft-Windows-International-Core" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"> <InputLocale>en-GB</InputLocale> <SystemLocale>en-GB</SystemLocale> <UILanguage>en-GB</UILanguage> <UserLocale>en-GB</UserLocale> </component> <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"> <OOBE> <HideEULAPage>true</HideEULAPage> <HideOEMRegistrationScreen>true</HideOEMRegistrationScreen> <HideOnlineAccountScreens>true</HideOnlineAccountScreens> <HideWirelessSetupInOOBE>true</HideWirelessSetupInOOBE> <ProtectYourPC>1</ProtectYourPC> </OOBE> </component> </settings> <cpifflineImage cpi:source="wim:d:/sort/downloads/dism/windows10enterpriseltsbwithoffice2016proplus.wim#C-Drive" xmlns:cpi="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:cpi" /> </unattend>[/quote] What am I doing wrong here? *sarc When I validate the answer file in WISM I get no errors or warnings.

 

I decided to test this, adding locale components as told in my post #16 to my normal answer file. The answer file used in this test:

Code: <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend"> <settings pass="specialize"> <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"> <OEMInformation> <Logo>C:\Windows\System32\oemlogo.bmp</Logo> <Manufacturer>Ten Forums</Manufacturer> <SupportHours>24/7</SupportHours> <SupportPhone>+44 123 456 7890</SupportPhone> <SupportURL>Windows 10 Help Forums</SupportURL> </OEMInformation> <CopyProfile>true</CopyProfile> <OEMName>Ten Forums</OEMName> <RegisteredOrganization>Ten Forums</RegisteredOrganization> <RegisteredOwner></RegisteredOwner> <TimeZone>W. Europe Standard Time</TimeZone> </component> </settings> <settings pass="oobeSystem"> <component name="Microsoft-Windows-International-Core" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"> <InputLocale>0809:00000809</InputLocale> <SystemLocale>en-GB</SystemLocale> <UILanguage>en-GB</UILanguage> <UILanguageFallback>en-GB</UILanguageFallback> <UserLocale>en-GB</UserLocale> </component> <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"> <OOBE> <HideEULAPage>true</HideEULAPage> <HideOEMRegistrationScreen>true</HideOEMRegistrationScreen> <HideOnlineAccountScreens>true</HideOnlineAccountScreens> <HideWirelessSetupInOOBE>true</HideWirelessSetupInOOBE> <UnattendEnableRetailDemo>false</UnattendEnableRetailDemo> </OOBE> <TimeZone>W. Europe Standard Time</TimeZone> <UserAccounts> <LocalAccounts> <LocalAccount wcm:action="add"> <Password> <Value>VABpAHQAeQBzAG8AZgB0ADEAUABhAHMAcwB3AG8AcgBkAA==</Value> <PlainText>false</PlainText> </Password> <Description>Main User</Description> <DisplayName></DisplayName> <Group>Administrators</Group> <Name></Name> </LocalAccount> </LocalAccounts> </UserAccounts> </component> </settings> </unattend>[/quote]
I installed Windows 10 PRO x64 Creators Update Build 15048 (released yesterday) on a test VM in Hyper-V booting to Audit Mode and sysprepped with above answer file twice, first with no users added in answer file, second time with a local admin account added (the highlighted part at the end of sample answer file was left out in first test, added in second test).

First test, no users automatically added in answer file, it worked exactly as it should and I expected it to work, skipping OOBE completely and stopping frist in this screen:




Second test, now with the initial local admin user added, again it worked like a charm, as expected, skipping OOBE and stopping first here, my local admin account already created setup is asking my preferred privacy settings:




Clicking Accept, the next screen was this:




Works perfectly, with or without users created in answer file.

Notice that compared to screenshots of your answer file I changed one detail in locale settings: for InputLocale I used numerical values for English - United Kingdom instead of text value en-GB. The numerical values are given as XXXX:YYYYYYYY where XXXX is value in decimal, YYYYYYYY in hexadecimal. For English - United Kingdom this is 0809:00000809.

For some reason unknown to me when InputLocale is given as text value it sometimes fails. I really have not a faintest clue why it does this, but as I have experienced it often enough I don't even think it anymore, I just use numerical value for InputLocale.

 

@xy677, was checking your answer file in post #21 and noticed something, a minor trivial detail but nevertheless worth mentioning:

The CPI Source line is unnecessary, it will not be needed. When creating an answer file Windows SIM creates a catalogue file and adds this unnecessary line to the end of answer file referring either to the catalog file, or WIM file you are using.

That line can and should be removed before you use the answer file. See the difference, here's the end of your answer file, unnecessary line highlighted:

Code: </component> </settings> <cpifflineImage cpi:source="wim:d:/sort/downloads/dism/windows10enterpriseltsbwithoffice2016proplus.wim#C-Drive" xmlns:cpi="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:cpi" /> </unattend>[/quote]
Compare it to end of answer file in my previous post:

Code: </component> </settings> </unattend>[/quote]
Removing the line from your answer file makes reusing the file easier; you can use the same answer file on various hardware setups without needing to edit unnecessary code. Leaving the line in answer file is OK, too, doing no harm, as long as CPI source is correct, either a catalog (.clg) file or a WIM file. It's just that it is completely unnecessary.

 

Thanks for all your input. I've just created a new answer file and it still prompts me at the language screen for input.

I've only just read your post about removing this line so will try this next:

Code: <cpifflineImage cpi:source="wim:d:/install.wim#Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSB" xmlns:cpi="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:cpi" />[/quote] Also, I'm doing this with Windows 10 LTSB 1607...not sure if that matters?

My new answer file looks like this (but I haven't removed the CPI line yet so will try that next):

Code: <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend"> <settings pass="specialize"> <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"> <CopyProfile>true</CopyProfile> <TimeZone>GMT Standard Time</TimeZone> <ComputerName>RENAME</ComputerName> </component> </settings> <settings pass="oobeSystem"> <component name="Microsoft-Windows-International-Core" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"> <InputLocale>0809:00000809</InputLocale> <SystemLocale>en-GB</SystemLocale> <UILanguage>en-GB</UILanguage> <UserLocale>en-GB</UserLocale> <UILanguageFallback>en-GB</UILanguageFallback> </component> <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"> <OOBE> <HideEULAPage>true</HideEULAPage> <HideOEMRegistrationScreen>true</HideOEMRegistrationScreen> <HideOnlineAccountScreens>true</HideOnlineAccountScreens> <HideWirelessSetupInOOBE>true</HideWirelessSetupInOOBE> <ProtectYourPC>1</ProtectYourPC> <UnattendEnableRetailDemo>false</UnattendEnableRetailDemo> </OOBE> <TimeZone>GMT Standard Time</TimeZone> </component> </settings> <cpifflineImage cpi:source="wim:d:/install.wim#Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSB" xmlns:cpi="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:cpi" /> </unattend>[/quote]

 

Please notice: when posting code, put it in

Code:

 tags: [CODE]Answer file or other code here

. Reading your answer file as you posted it now is a pain you know where *Wink

I have to download LTSB from MSDN, install it, get to Audit Mode and test. That will take some time but I promise I will do it today, starting download now.

I just want to say that answer file I used in my earlier tests today and posted here worked without an issue, doing exactly what I wanted it to do when testing. I admit I tested with PRO edition, will now test with LTSB.

 

Heh, sorry, didn't know about the code tags so I have updated the post!

I'm just busy testing as the moment with the CPI line removed so will report back shortly to let you know how it goes.

Appreciate you testing this too!

If I don't have any luck then I will try your answer file next...

 

CPI Source line in answer file is not the reason why it's not working for you. The line is unnecessary but even when left there totally harmless, doing nothing.

 

Ok, yeah, it failed for me again using the following answer file with the CPI line removed:
Code: <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend"> <settings pass="specialize"> <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"> <CopyProfile>true</CopyProfile> <TimeZone>GMT Standard Time</TimeZone> <ComputerName>RENAME</ComputerName> </component> </settings> <settings pass="oobeSystem"> <component name="Microsoft-Windows-International-Core" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"> <InputLocale>0809:00000809</InputLocale> <SystemLocale>en-GB</SystemLocale> <UILanguage>en-GB</UILanguage> <UserLocale>en-GB</UserLocale> <UILanguageFallback>en-GB</UILanguageFallback> </component> <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"> <OOBE> <HideEULAPage>true</HideEULAPage> <HideOEMRegistrationScreen>true</HideOEMRegistrationScreen> <HideOnlineAccountScreens>true</HideOnlineAccountScreens> <HideWirelessSetupInOOBE>true</HideWirelessSetupInOOBE> <ProtectYourPC>1</ProtectYourPC> <UnattendEnableRetailDemo>false</UnattendEnableRetailDemo> </OOBE> <TimeZone>GMT Standard Time</TimeZone> </component> </settings> </unattend>[/quote]