Windows 10: Windows cannot read the <Product Key> from the unattend answer file

Hi, I've made a USB drive to reinstall windows onto a new system I've just built and when it goes through its start up I get this message then it, restarts and repeats itself again?


Any ideas on how to get around this? Would I have to make a new windows 10 bootable usb from another computer or is there something I can change in the files on the USB I have?


Cheers in advance

:)

 

Problem with Windows 10 unattended answer file?




Hej Ken. Din svarfil antyder att du är också en Finlandsvensk. Välkommen till Ten Forums!






Hi Ken. Your answer file suggests that you are a fellow Finland Swede. Welcome to Ten Forums!

That error is because there's no generic product key or MAK key in your answer file. It is obligatory in autounattend.xml answer file, the one that takes care of first phase of Windows setup, partitioning and installing.

Please see step 3.9 in following tutorial for how to add key in answer file: Create media for automated unattended install of Windows 10

 

Windows 10 Clean Install Error: "Windows cannot read <product key> from unattend answer file"

Seems like a lot of people have this problem and no solution has been found. I did a fine install from a retail Windows 10 USB. I would now like to do a clean install on a new drive, however on boot from USB I get the "Windows cannot read <product key> from
unattended answer file" error.

I look in my BIOS and it tells me that the platform Key is loaded. So I assume the secure boot key was created correctly. I am not doing an unattended install so I don't know why I get this message. I have not opportunity to select any options because this
is the first thing I see after I see the files are loading message.

I have followed every suggestion I could find on the web, non of which worked. I tired removing the USB after setup started. I tried removing all other hard drives except the new one I wanted to install Win 10 on.

Is there a solution to this?

 

Windows cannot read the <Product key> setting from the unattend answer file

Download the Windows 10 ISO directly:

Download Windows 10 Feature Update ISO Files Directly Using Your Web Browser

Then use Rufus to create a bootable copy:

If your computer is UEFI based, these are normally systems that come pre-loaded with Windows 8 or later, you will need to prepare the ISO file for such a configuration or you will receive an error message
during setup. The thumbdrive needs to be formatted as FAT32 and use the GPT partitioning scheme. To do this, you need to use
Rufus, a small tool you can download for free.




Rufus - credit: Pete Batard/Akeo

After you have installed Rufus:

• Launch it
• Select ISO Image
• Point to the Windows 10 ISO file
• Check off Create a bootable disk using
• Select GPT partitioning for EUFI firmware as the Partition scheme
• Choose FAT32 NOT NTFS as the File system
• Make sure your USB thumbdrive in the Device list box
• Click Start
• Close when complete

Then attempt a clean install:

How to: Perform a clean install of Windows 10

Also see:

Windows 10 USB install "Windows cannot read the <Product Key> from the unattend start file"