what are the two ways to create or modify an unattend xml file

When y'all start a new installation of Windows x, you lot must get through the Windows Setup, which is the experience that helps you to configure various settings, including language preferences, product key, and sectionalization layout. After the installation, you as well have to become through the out-of-box experience (OOBE), which you need to complete to configure settings like keyboard layout, account, and privacy settings.

Although the procedure is relatively like shooting fish in a barrel for almost people, you even so have to spend the time controlling the installation and answering questions, which can take up a lot of time, peculiarly if you need to complete multiple installations in your workplace.

If yous want to automate the installation process (and save time in the procedure), y'all can create an answer file with instructions to complete every on-screen prompt, which y'all can integrate onto a bootable media. So the Windows Setup can read to install Windows 10 automatically.

In this Windows x guide, we walk you lot through the steps to create an autounattend.xml answer file containing all the necessary settings to perform a bones unattended installation of the Os.

How to create unattended Windows ten installation media

On Windows ten, you can apply many ways to create and prepare up an reply file to automate the installation process. This guide outlines the instructions to configure a ".xml" file to perform an unattended installation of Windows 10 Pro 64-bit on a calculator with a unmarried drive using Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) or Bones Input-Output System (BIOS).

Afterward setting up the respond file, the procedure will erase everything on the drive, create and configure the necessary partitions, and install a fresh copy of Windows 10 with the virtually basic settings.

Alert: This is a friendly reminder that the installation procedure will completely erase the hard bulldoze of your estimator. If you have anything important on this device, information technology's recommended to make a total backup of your PC earlier proceeding.

Requirements
How to install Windows System Image Managing director
How to create Windows 10 respond file project
How to create Windows 10 answer file
How to save Windows ten respond file project
How to install Windows 10 with answer file
How to troubleshoot problems with Windows 10 answer file

Requirements

This guide has quite a few steps, and you'll need a few things to complete the project successfully:

Windows Assessment and Development Kit (ADK).
Windows 10 installation files.
Windows 10 account with administrator privileges.
USB flash drive with 8GB of infinite.
Spare figurer to test the installation.

How to install Windows System Paradigm Director

Anyone tin can write an answer file manually. Microsoft offers the Windows Organization Prototype Director (SIM) console available through the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) to make information technology easier to create the file to install Windows 10 unattended.

To install the Windows Arrangement Image Managing director, use these steps:

Download the Windows ADK installer for Windows 10 version 2004.
Double-click the adksetup.exe file to brainstorm the installation.
Select the Install the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit - Windows 10 to this computer choice.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Next button.
Select your privacy setting.
Click the Next button.
Click the Accept button to agree to the license agreement.
Clear all preselected choices.
Check just the Deployment Tools packet to install the Windows System Image Manager components.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Install push button.
Click the Close button.

Once you complete the steps, you can utilise the console to create a ".xml" file with the answer to all the questions to automatically install Windows x.

After the file is created, you can adjust the settings and reuse information technology for other installations, instead of having to employ the Windows System Epitome Manager tool.

How to create Windows ten reply file project

After installing the Windows System Image Manager console, you need to import the Os installation files onto your device, and prepare the surround to create an answer file.

Import Windows ten paradigm files

To create an answer file, you need to open a Windows 10 image and create a catalog of all the components to automate the installation. Nevertheless, to perform this task, you must beginning import the installation files onto your device.

To import the Windows 10 installation files, utilize these steps:

Open File Explorer.
Navigate to the Windows 10 ISO file location.

Quick tip: Alternatively, you tin can also connect the USB flash drive with the installation files. If you don't have the files below, you tin can detect the steps to use Rufus to download the latest ISO for Windows 10.
Right-click the ISO file and select the Mount choice.

Source: Windows Central
Open the bulldoze with the Windows 10 installation files.
Click the Select all push button from the "Habitation" tab.
Click the Copy button from the "Home" tab.

Source: Windows Primal
Navigate to the folder you want to use to store the files for the project.
Click the New folder push button from the "Home" tab.
Specify a proper noun for the folder – for example, Windows2004.
Open the newly created binder.
Click the Paste button from the "Home" tab.

Source: Windows Central

Once y'all complete the steps, the installation files will be available on your device. However, to keep, you lot need to ostend the install.wim file image is present in the "sources" binder. If the ISO was created using the Media Creation Tool, you're likely to have an install.esd, which you won't be able to open considering it'southward encrypted.

If you don't have an .wim image file, you lot tin can go the uncrypted image past downloading the latest Windows 10 ISO file from the Windows Insider Program or MSDN with a subscription.

Convert install.esd to install.wim

In the case that you're stuck with an "install.esd" image, y'all can employ the DISM command tool to export the epitome files and create a ".wim" image from a ".esd" file.

To decrypt an install.esd image, employ these steps:

Open Start.
Search for PowerShell, right-click the top issue, and select the Run every bit administrator option.
Type the post-obit control to identify the index number of the edition y'all desire to utilize and press Enter:

dism /Get-WimInfo /WimFile:C:\path\to\folder\sources\install.esd

In the command, make sure to change the path to the sources binder location with the "install.esd" file on your calculator.
Confirm the alphabetize number for the edition you want to deploy. For example, in the instance, select the index number of 6 to extract the files for Windows 10 Pro.
Blazon the following command to create an install.wim file and press Enter:

dism /Export-Image /SourceImageFile:C:\path\to\folder\sources\install.esd /SourceIndex:6 /DestinationImageFile:C:\path\to\folder\sources\install.wim /Compress:Max /CheckIntegrity

In the command, brand sure to change the path to the sources folder location with the "install.esd" file on your device. The destination path should exist the same as the source.

Source: Windows Central

Alternatively, you can likewise utilise the Rufus tool to download the Windows ten ISO with an "install.wim" file.

Download install.wim using Rufus

To download a Windows x ISO file with Rufus, apply these steps:

Open Rufus download page.
Under the "Download" department, click the latest release of the tool to save the file on the computer.

Source: Windows Key
Double-click the Rufus-10.x.exe file to launch the tool.
Under the "Device" department, select the USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space.
Under the "Boot selection" section, click the pointer button next to the "Select" choice, and choose the Download option.

Source: Windows Primal
Click the now available Download button.
Use the "Version" drib-down menu and select Windows 10.
Click the Proceed push button.
Select the 20H1 (Build 19041.264 - 2020.05) choice to download the Windows x May 2020 Update.
Click the Continue button.
Use the "Edition" drop-down menu and select the Windows x Dwelling/Pro pick.
Click the Continue button.
Use the "Linguistic communication" drop-downwards menu and select your installation language.

Quick notation: If y'all're in the United States, you should select "English language" instead of "English International."
Click the Go along push button.
Utilize the "Compages" drib-downward carte and select the 32-bit or 64-bit (recommended).

Quick tip: You can find out the compages of your device on Settings > Organization > Nigh, under Device specifications.
Bank check the Download using a browser option.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Download button.
Salve the ISO file on your device.

One time you complete the steps, y'all'll terminate up with an ISO file of Windows x that includes the install.wim file inside the "sources" binder.

Setting upwards an respond file environment

To prepare the environment to create a new answer file projection, use these steps:

Open Start.
Search for Windows System Image Manager and click the top event to open the console.
Click the File menu.
Select the Select Windows Paradigm option.

Source: Windows Central
Navigate to the folder with the Windows x installation files exported.
Access the source folder.
Select the install.wim image file.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Open up button.

Of import: Make sure that prototype is an install.wim file. Otherwise, if you have an install.esd image, this will not work.
Select the edition of Windows x you want to use. (Usually, you lot desire to select the version that you lot're planning to install.)

Source: Windows Fundamental
Click the OK button.
Click the Yes push to create a new catalog file (if applicative).

Quick note: This process volition take some time, simply it'south a ane-time process. The .clg file will be saved in the same location where the install.wim is stored, and you tin reuse information technology later on other projects.
Under the "Distribution Share" department, right-click on "Select a Distribution Share" and select the Create Distribution Share selection.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Create New Folder choice in the dialog box.
Specify a proper noun for the folder – for instance, "Distribution" and select the folder.
Click the Open button.

Source: Windows Fundamental
Click the File card.
Select the Select Distribution Share choice.

Source: Windows Central
Locate the binder you recently created for the distribution files.
Click the Open push button.
Click the File menu.
Select the New Answer File option.

Source: Windows Central

Afterwards y'all consummate the steps, the environment will be created to configure an answer file.

How to create Windows 10 answer file

An reply file contains seven dissimilar stages (passes), and the stages you need to configure volition depend upon the blazon of automation yous want to create.

This guide will help you to get started configuring an autounattend.xml answer file with the minimum requirements to automate the installation of Windows 10 Pro using the 1 windowsPE, 4 specialize, and 7 oobeSystem stages.

Pass 1 windowsPE

Using the pass "i windowsPE," you'll set up upward region and language, bulldoze configuration, installation location, and product key.

Quick note: Depending on the epitome, y'all may run into the components name starting with amd64_Microsoft-Windows for the 64-fleck version or x86_Microsoft-Windows for the 32-flake version of Windows x. For this guide, we'll be using the amd64_Microsoft-Windows name format.

Configure language and region settings

To configure the region and language settings, while in the Windows System Paradigm Manager, use these steps:

Under the "Windows Image" section, expand the Components binder.
Expand the amd64_Microsoft-Windows-International-Cadre-WinPE component.
Right-click the SetupUILanguage component and select the Add Setting to Pass 1 windowsPE choice.

Source: Windows Primal
Under the "Answer File" section, on the right side, select the amd64_Microsoft-Windows-International-Core-WinPE component.
Nether the "Settings" department, on the right side, ascertain the keyboard, region, primary and fall dorsum linguistic communication, and device location. For example, if you lot're located in the United States, you should be using these settings:
- InputLocale: en-Usa.
- SystemLocale: en-US.
- UILanguage: en-Usa.
- UserLocale: en-Usa.
Source: Windows Central

Quick tip: Just users outside the The states should configure ULLanguageFallback using the en-US value equally the fallback language. To place the correct input contour name, you can check out this Microsoft back up page.
Select the SetupUILanguage sub-component.
Under the "Settings" section, on the right side, set UILanguage with the right linguistic communication. For instance, considering we're doing an install in "English," we're using the en-US selection.

Source: Windows Central

Configure installation settings

Inside the respond file, yous also have to specify the settings to properly configure the bulldoze.

To configure the bulldoze settings in the reply file, utilize these steps:

Under the "Windows Paradigm" section, expand the Components folders.
Expand the amd64_Microsoft-Windows-Setup component.
Aggrandize the DiskConfiguration component.
Right-click the Disk component, and select the Add Setting to Pass 1 windowsPE selection.

Source: Windows Central
Under the "Reply File" department, on the right side, select the DiskConfiguration component.
Under the "Settings" section, on the right side, set the WillShowUI value to OnError. (If you lot get out this setting empty, the installation will stop during the hard drive setup procedure.)

Source: Windows Primal
Select the Deejay component.
Under the "Settings" department, on the right side, use these values:
- DiskID: 0
- WillWipeDisk: true
Source: Windows Central

Quick note: Setting the WillWipeDik setting to true will make sure to erase everything on the first hard bulldoze before setting up the partitions. If you have anything important on this bulldoze, y'all should backup the data before proceeding.

Once you complete the steps to configure the DiskConfiguration settings, you'll need to set up the partition layout, depending on whether your device uses a legacy BIOS or UEFI.

The reason is that BIOS-based computers simply require two partitions (System Reserved and Windows), and UEFI-based devices require four partitions (WinRE, EFI, MSR, and Windows).

You tin check if you're using BIOS or UEFI by opening Organization Information from the Beginning menu, and checking the "Organisation Summary." If "BIOS Mode" reads Legacy, and then you're using BIOS; if it reads UEFI, you're using UEFI.

BIOS only: Creating and modifying partitions

If you lot take a figurer using the legacy BIOS, go along with these steps. Otherwise, skip this part, and follow the UEFI instructions beneath.

To configure the sectionalisation layout for a device using BIOS, use these steps:

Under the "Answer File" section, aggrandize the amd64_Microsoft-Windows-Setup component.
Expand the DiskConfiguration component.
Expand the Deejay component.
Correct-click the CreatePartitions component, and select the Insert New CreatePartition option to create the kickoff partition.

Source: Windows Central
Correct-click CreatePartitions again, and select the Insert New CreatePartition selection to create a 2d partition.
Select the commencement CreatePartition.
Nether the "Settings" section, on the right side, use these values to create a system reserved partition:
- Extend: false.
- Order: 1.
- Size: 500.
- Type: Primary.
Source: Windows Central

Using these settings, yous're indicating the setup to create the system reserved sectionalisation of 500MB, a sectionalisation required for Windows to kick.
Select the second CreatePartition.
Nether the "Settings" section, on the correct side, apply these values to create a partition to install Windows 10:
- Extend: truthful.
- Order: 2.
- Type: Chief.
Source: Windows Central

Using these settings, you're indicating the setup to create a partition to install Windows x. You'll also notice that the Size value wasn't specified, and Extend was set to true. This is because nosotros want the Windows Setup to create a partition with all the bachelor space left on the drive after creating the organisation reserved partition.

If y'all want to create multiple partitions, yous need to set the value of Extend to false, and enter a value in megabytes in the Size setting. Then the last partition should have Extend gear up to true without specifying the Size value to indicate the setup to utilise the remaining available space to create the partition.

Using the above steps, outlined the steps to carved the partitions. The next steps specify the required file format and partition properties.

To specify the format settings in the respond file, apply these steps:

Under the "Answer File" department, expand the amd64_Microsoft-Windows-Setup component.
Expand the DiskConfiguration component.
Aggrandize the Deejay component.
Right-click the ModifyPartition component, and select the Insert ModifyPartition pick to modify the first partition.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Right-click ModifyPartition over again, and select the Insert ModifyPartition option to modify the second partition.
Select the first ModifyPartition.
Under the "Settings" department, on the right side, use these values to configure a arrangement reserved partition:
- Active: true.
- Format: NTFS.
- Label: System.
- Order: 1.
- PartitionID: i.
Source: Windows Central
Select the 2nd ModifyPartition.
Under the "Settings" section, on the right side, use these values to configure a sectionalisation to install Windows 10:
- Format: NTFS.
- Label: Windows.
- Letter: C.
- Gild: ii.
- ProductID: ii.
Source: Windows Central

In the steps, using the Order and PartitionID, you're specifying how the Windows Setup should configure on each of the two raw partitions we created before.

You lot can learn more about the division layout required for a BIOS organisation in this Microsoft support page.

Every bit office of this setup, the last task is to bespeak the setup where to install Windows 10.

To select the bulldoze to install Windows ten automatically, utilize these steps:

Nether the "Windows Paradigm" department, aggrandize the Components folders.
Aggrandize the amd64_Microsoft-Windows-Setup component.
Expand the ImageInstall component.
Expand the OSImage.
Right-click the InstalTo component, and select the Add Setting to Pass 1 windowsPE option.

Source: Windows Central
Nether the "Answer File" section, on the right side, select the InstallTo component.
Under the "Settings" section, on the right side, use these values:
- DiskID: 0.
- PartitionID: 2.
Source: Windows Central

The above settings tell the setup to install Windows 10 automatically on the first bulldoze inside the 2d sectionalisation.

Once you complete the steps, continue with the Defining the product key instructions.

UEFI only: Creating and modifying partitions

If you have a computer using UEFI, continue with these steps. Otherwise, skip this part, and follow the BIOS instructions outlined above.

Under the "Answer File" section, expand the amd64_Microsoft-Windows-Setup component.
Aggrandize the DiskConfiguration component.
Expand the Deejay component.
Right-click the CreatePartitions component, and select the Insert New CreatePartition option to create the first division.

Source: Windows Key
Right-click CreatePartitions again, and select the Insert New CreatePartition choice to create a 2d partition.
Right-click CreatePartitions again, and select the Insert New CreatePartition pick to create a third sectionalization.
Right-click CreatePartitions once again, and select the Insert New CreatePartition option to create a fourth segmentation.
Select the commencement CreatePartition.
Under the "Settings" section, on the right side, use these values to create the Windows Recovery (WinRE) partition:
- Extend: false.
- Society: 1.
- Size: 500.
- Type: Primary.
Source: Windows Central
Select the 2d CreatePartition.
On the right side, under "Settings," use these values to create an EFI partition:
- Extend: simulated.
- Order: 2.
- Size: 100.
- Blazon: EFI.
Source: Windows Central
Select the third CreatePartition.
On the right side, nether "Settings," utilise these values to create a Microsoft reserved segmentation (MSR) segmentation:
- Extend: imitation.
- Lodge: iii.
- Size: sixteen.
- Blazon: MSR.
Source: Windows Fundamental
Select the third CreatePartition.
On the right side, under "Settings," use these values to create the Windows partitioning:
- Extend: true.
- Order: 4.
- Type: Primary.
Source: Windows Cardinal

Using the above steps, outlined the steps to carved the partitions. The next steps specify the required file format and sectionalisation backdrop.

To specify the format settings in the answer file, use these steps:

Under the "Answer File" section, aggrandize the amd64_Microsoft-Windows-Setup component.
Expand the DiskConfiguration component.
Expand the Disk component.
Correct-click the ModifyPartition component, and select the Insert ModifyPartition option to create the first division.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Right-click ModifyPartition once again, and select the Insert ModifyPartition option to modify the 2nd partition.
Right-click ModifyPartition again, and select the Insert ModifyPartition option to modify the tertiary partition.
Right-click ModifyPartition again, and select the Insert ModifyPartition option to modify the fourth division.
Select the first ModifyPartition.
On the right side, nether "Settings," utilize these values to configure the Windows Recovery (WinRE) partition:
- Format: NTFS.
- Label: WinRE.
- Society: 1.
- PartitionID: 1.
- TypeID: DE94BBA4-06D1-4D40-A16A-BFD50179D6AC.
Source: Windows Primal
Select the second ModifyPartition.
On the correct side, under "Settings," utilize these values to configure an EFI partition:
- Format: FAT32.
- Label: Organization.
- Order: 2.
- PartitionID: 2.
Source: Windows Central
Select the tertiary ModifyPartition.
On the correct side, under "Settings," use only these 2 values to configure a Microsoft reserved partition (MSR) partition:
- Social club: 3.
- PartitionID: 3.
Source: Windows Central
Select the third ModifyPartition.
On the right side, under "Settings," utilise these values to configure a partition to install Windows 10:
- Format: NTFS.
- Label: Windows.
- Alphabetic character: C.
- Guild: 4.
- PartitionID: 4.
Source: Windows Fundamental

In the steps, using the Society and PartitionID, you're specifying how the setup should configure each of the four raw partitions yous have created earlier.

Yous can learn more well-nigh the partition layout required for a UEFI organization in this Microsoft support folio.

As function of this function of the setup, the concluding task is to betoken the setup where to install Windows x.

To select the drive to install Windows x automatically, use these steps:

Under "Windows Prototype," expand the Components folders.
Expand the amd64_Microsoft-Windows-Setup component.
Aggrandize the ImageInstall component.
Expand the OSImage component.
Right-click the InstalTo component, and select the Add Setting to Pass 1 windowsPE choice.
Under the "Respond File" section, on the right side, select the InstallTo component.
Nether the "Settings" section, on the right side, use these values:
- DiskID: 0.
- PartitionID: 4.
Source: Windows Central

The above settings will indicate for the setup to install Windows x on the first drive inside the fourth partition.

In one case you complete the steps, continue with the Defining the product key instructions below.

Defining the product key

In the first pass, yous can also specify the product primal for Windows 10. If yous're creating an answer file that you lot'll utilize in multiple devices, yous should be using a volume or generic product cardinal.

To specify a product central, use these steps:

Under the "Windows Image" component, expand the Components folders.
Aggrandize the amd64_Microsoft-Windows-Setup component.
Aggrandize the UserData component.
Right-click the ProductKey component and select the Add Setting to Laissez passer 1 windowsPE option.

Source: Windows Central
Under the "Answer File" section, on the correct side, select the UserData component.
Nether the "Settings" section, on the right side, utilise the post-obit settings:
- AcceptEula: true.
- Organisation: WC.
Source: Windows Central

In the above settings, you can use any proper name for the Organization value. For example, home users could "Family" equally the organization proper noun.
Expand the UserData component.
Select the ProductKey component.
Under the "Settings" section, brand certain to update the Key value using the product key for the edition of Windows x you lot intend to install.

Source: Windows Cardinal

You can besides use a generic product primal to create an answer file:

Windows 10 Pro: VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T.
Windows 10 Home: YTMG3-N6DKC-DKB77-7M9GH-8HVX7.
Windows 10 Enterprise: NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43.

You tin always check this Microsoft support website to find the appropriate generic key for your installation.

Pass 4 specialize

If you desire to configure additional settings, such as model, manufacturer, figurer proper name, ownership name, timezone, and more than during the installation, while in the Windows System Image Manager, use these steps:

Under the "Windows Image" section, expand the Components folders.
Expand the amd64_Microsoft-Trounce-Setup component.
Right-click the OEMInformation component and select the Add together Setting to Pass 4 specialize pick.

Source: Windows Primal
Under the "Reply File" section, on the right-side, select the amd64_Microsoft-Crush-Setup component.
Under the "Settings" section, on the right side, use the post-obit values (specifying your custom information):
- ComputerName: Workstation.
- CopyProfile: true.
- RegisteredOrganization: Windows Key.
- RegisteredOwner: WC.
- TimeZone: Eastern Standard Time.
  
  Source: Windows Primal
If you don't configure the TimeZone setting, Windows ten will set the zone based on the language you're installing. Y'all can check the Microsoft support website to detect out the exact proper name for your time zone.
Aggrandize the amd64_Microsoft-Shell-Setup component.
Select the OEMInformation component.
(Optional) Nether the "Settings" department, on the right side, specify some computer specific backdrop:
- Manufacturer: Dell.
- Model: XPS.
Source: Windows Central

Once you complete the steps, during the installation, the setup will read the autounattend.xml file and configure the settings yous specified.

Pass vii oobeSystem

Using an answer file, yous can also automate the configuration of the out-of-box feel (OOBE), including boosted language settings, take the licensing understanding, create a user account, and more than.

To configure the out-of-box experience, while in the Windows Arrangement Paradigm Manager, use these steps:

Nether "Windows Image," expand the Components folders.
Right-click the amd64_Microsoft-Windows-International-Cadre component, and select the Add together Setting to Laissez passer 7 oobeSystem option.

Source: Windows Fundamental
Under the "Windows Image" section, aggrandize the amd64_Microsoft-Shell-Setup component.
Right-click the OOBE component, and select the Add Setting to Laissez passer vii oobeSystem pick.

Source: Windows Central
Aggrandize the UserAccounts component.
Expand the LocalAccounts component.
Right-click the LocalAccounts component, and select the Add Setting to Pass 7 oobeSystem selection.

Source: Windows Central
Nether the "Answer File" section, select the amd64_Microsoft-Windows-International-Core component.
Under the "Settings" section, on the right-side, specify the language settings:
- InputLocale: en-Usa.
- SystemLocale: en-US.
- UILanguage: en-US.
- UserLocale: en-US.
Source: Windows Fundamental

Only users outside the United States should configure ULLanguageFallback using the en-United states of america value as the fallback language.

To identify the correct input profile name, yous can cheque out this Microsoft support folio.
Nether the "Answer File" section, expand the amd64_Microsoft-Vanquish-Setup component.
Select the OOBE component.
Under the "Settings" department, on the right size, use the post-obit values:

HideEULAPage: true.*
HideOEMRegistrationScreen: true.
HideOnlineAccountScreens: true.
HideWirelessSetupinOOBE: true.
ProtectYourPC: 1.

Source: Windows Primal

While most settings are self-explanatory, y'all'll discover that the ProtectYourPC setting is also configured to define how the express settings should exist handled. Using the value of 1, you're telling the setup to enable the limited settings using the default preferences.
1. Expand the UserAccounts component.
2. Right-click the LocalAccounts component and select the Insert New LocalAccount selection.
3. Under the "Settings" department, on the right side, use the following configuration to create a primary local business relationship:
- Description: My master local account.
- DisplayName: admin.
- Group: Administrators.
- Proper noun: John.
Source: Windows Cardinal

Using the above settings, you'll be creating an account called "admin" for user "John," and we're adding the account to the "Administrators" grouping that gives the user unrestricted access to the device. Of course, you can always define your custom preferences, including for "Description," "DisplayName," "Group," and "Name."
1. Expand the LocalAccount component.
2. Select the Password component.
3. Under the "Settings" section, on the right-side, type a countersign in the Value field.
Source: Windows Primal

While y'all'll encounter the password in evidently text, after saving the autounattend.xml file, the value will exist encrypted.

How to save Windows 10 answer file project

Once you lot complete setting up all the configurations to install Windows 10 automatically, you need to remove all the unmodified components, validate the answer file, and save changes as an autounattend.xml file.

Remove unmodified components

To remove unnecessary components, use these steps:

Nether the "Answer File" section, aggrandize all the components you added from the "Windows Image" section.
Select the component that you didn't configure. (These are those with light purple color.)
Correct-click the components, and select the Delete selection.

Source: Windows Primal
Echo steps No. ii and 3 until you remove all the components that you didn't modify.

After y'all complete the steps, yous need to validate the respond file.

Validating reply files

To validate the answer file, utilize these steps:

Click the Tools menu.
Select the Validate option.
Under the "Messages" section, at the bottom, check the Validation tab. If you don't see any warnings, the file is good to go.

Source: Windows Central

In one case you complete the steps, it'due south time to salvage the file and imported to the installation media.

Saving the answer file

To save the respond file, use these steps:

Click the File menu.
Select the Save Respond File As option.
Navigate to the folder you want to salve the file.
Under "File name," use the autounattend.xml file name.

Source: Windows Primal
Click the Save button.

If you're configuring multiple answer files, it'll be best to save the file on a dissimilar folder with a descriptive name.

Import answer file to USB media

To include an autounattend.xml file on a Windows 10 bootable media, utilize these steps:

Open File Explorer.
Navigate to the autounattend.xml file location.
Correct-click the file, and select the Copy option.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Open the USB media with the Windows 10 installation files.
In the root of the drive, right-click the Paste to re-create the autounattend.xml to the Windows ten installation media.

Source: Windows Primal

Quick tip: When placing the "autounattend.xml" file on the installation media, brand certain you're using a bootable media that only includes one architecture (in this case, Windows 10 64-scrap). If you created an installation media for both 32-bit and 64-chip, the process would pause at the offset until you select the compages to install.

In the case that you don't have a Windows ten USB installation media, y'all tin can create one using the Media Creation Tool or using a third-party tool, such as Rufus.

How to install Windows ten using answer file

Once you take the USB bootable media with the answer file incorporated, you can perform an unattended installation of Windows 10 with these steps:

Alert: This procedure will delete everything on your calculator and install Windows 10 without whatsoever prompts. Make sure to connect the USB wink drive to the correct device. Otherwise, you may cease up wiping out the wrong device.

Turn off the calculator you desire to install Windows 10.
Connect the USB wink bootable media with the autounattend.xml file.
Power on the computer and then Windows ten should install automatically.

If the Windows Setup doesn't first, it's likely because yous don't have the device configured to boot from the USB installation media. If this is the instance, you'll need to access the BIOS or UEFI firmware on your motherboard to change the kicking order.

This process typically requires hit one of the function keys (F1, F2, F3, F10, or F12), the ESC, or Delete key as soon as you start your device. However, these settings will be different per manufacturer, and fifty-fifty per device model. Make sure to check your calculator manufacturer's support website for more specific instructions.

After getting access to the firmware interface, find the Kicking settings and alter the kick order to start with the USB drive that includes the installation files, and save the settings (usually using the F10 key).

If your computer is based on UEFI, then the steps to change the boot gild volition exist different.

On a Windows 10 device using UEFI, you lot'll demand to access to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery, and under "Advanced Startup," click the Restart now button.

Then click on Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings, and click the Restart button.

Once yous're in the UEFI firmware interface, detect the Boot settings and change the boot order to kickoff with the USB drive that includes the installation files, and and then salve the settings.

If the drive doesn't accept an OS already installed, check your manufacturer back up website for details to access the UEFI firmware.

How to troubleshoot Windows ten answer file

Although an answer file tin can make the process of installing Windows 10 easier, one small error tin halt the setup and cause unwanted errors.

When validating the answer file, if y'all come across any problems, you should e'er re-check the settings for each component you selected and remove whatsoever additional element that was not modified.

If you made a mistake configuring a property value for a component, don't empty the field, instead right-click the property and select the Revert Alter option.

At the time to begin the Windows x installation, disconnect the computer from the network, considering sometimes you may come across issues while the setup is trying to download updates. You can always reconnect to the network after the installation.

An answer file explicitly crafted for a computer using a legacy BIOS will not work on a UEFI-based device. Always make sure to use the correct settings for the hardware you're trying to automate the installation process.

In the rare case that the answer file you created using Windows System Image Managing director isn't working, and so yous should open the "autounattend.xml" file with any text editor and correct any error manually.

Anyone can utilise this automation process, but this method has been designed for organizations. This means that you won't notice an selection to perform an installation using a Microsoft account. However, you tin e'er create an installation with a Windows 10 local business relationship and so link it to your Microsoft account. Yous tin can perform this job from Settings > Accounts > Your info, and clicking the Sign in with your Microsoft account instead link.

Y'all can cheque out this Microsoft back up website to learn more almost each setting, which you tin can configure to create an answer file to perform an automated installation of Windows 10.

Wrapping things upwardly

While creating a bootable media with the instructions to install Windows 10 automatically has a lot of steps, the automation procedure will relieve you a meaning amount of time and hassle, particularly when you're in a network environment where y'all demand to setup Windows 10 on multiple machines.

Nosotros're focusing on the minimum steps to perform an unattended clean installation of Windows 10 to help get started with the procedure. Information technology'south upward to you lot to dig through and configure the components you demand to comply with your situation. Furthermore, depending on your installation requirements, you may need to create multiple answer files.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to mutual questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

Windows 10 on Windows Central – All you need to know
Windows 10 assistance, tips, and tricks
Windows 10 forums on Windows Central

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Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-create-unattended-media-do-automated-installation-windows-10