Autounattend Question

Uncle_Gadget · November 12, 2011

I noticed that my Autounattend.xml placed in the root of the .iso is no longer being used. I think it's because I inadvertently used the "Apply Unattended" feature. However, I can't seem to figure out what's going on in my install.

Can you explain what happens when you select "Apply Unattended" under the AIO Tool > Options Menu? Hopefully I can find the source of my troubles with this info.

myselfidem · November 15, 2011

Using "Apply Unattend": Applies an Unattend.xml file to the image:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd744522(WS.10).aspx

Applies an unattend.xml file to an image.
If you are updating device drivers using an unattended answer file, you must apply the answer file to an offline image and specify the settings in the offlineServicing configuration pass.
If you are updating packages or other settings using an unattended answer file, you can apply the answer file to an offline or online image. Specify the settings in the offlineServicing configuration pass.

Uncle_Gadget · November 18, 2011

Using "Apply Unattend": Applies an Unattend.xml file to the image:
http://technet.micro...522(WS.10).aspx

Thanks for the reply and explanation. I'm still having difficulty understanding what it means to 'apply' an unattend.xml, even after reading.

I've been successfully writing my own Autounattend.xml (and verifying with SIM) and placing it in the root folder before I use W7T to build the ISO. Everything works exactly as expected. What I'm having difficulty understanding is, how that process differs from 'Applying an unattend.xml' to an image. It sounds like they both do the same thing, but I can't actually detect what 'applying' does. Does it simply make changes directly to the install.wim? Is there a way to view the changes that are made?

Sorry for the dumb questions, everything else seems to be working as expected.

Etz · November 19, 2011

This should explain it a little:

http://www.wincert.n...dpost__p__79272

Actually, this functionality is now removed from AIO tool, because it caused strange bug/feature.

Basically, if you applied Unattended to image once, it always used that first "applied XML" completely ignoring later changes and also file that was placed into DVD root.

Now its basically only a copy function and doesnt actually "apply" anything...so just replacing file in DVD root should work...

Only thing is, you have to use "clean" image, which hasnt been modified earlier (or at least never had autounnatended.xml applied to it)

Edited November 19, 2011 by Etz

myselfidem · November 20, 2011

About Unattend.xml files:

Methods for Running Windows Setup:

http://technet.micro...269(WS.10).aspx

Implicit Answer File Search Order
Windows Setup identifies and logs all available answer files based on the search order. The answer file with the highest precedence is used. The answer file is validated and then cached to the computer. Valid answer files are cached to the $Windows.~BT\Sources\Panther directory during the windowsPE and offlineServicing configuration passes. After the Windows installation is extracted to the hard disk, the answer file is cached to %WINDIR%\panther.

Windows Setup Command-Line Options:

http://technet.micro...264(WS.10).aspx

At the end of the silent installation, using our Autounattend.xml file, we can see the validated and cached answer file renamed as Unattend.xml file inside:

C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml

Example with mine unattend.xml file:


<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">
<settings pass="windowsPE" wasPassProcessed="true">
  <component name="Microsoft-Windows-International-Core-WinPE" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="NonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
   <SetupUILanguage>
	<UILanguage>fr-FR</UILanguage>
   </SetupUILanguage>
   <UILanguage>fr-FR</UILanguage>
   <UserLocale>fr-CH</UserLocale>
   <InputLocale>100c:0000100c</InputLocale>
  </component>
  <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Setup" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="NonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
   <UserData>
	<ProductKey>*SENSITIVE*DATA*DELETED*</ProductKey>
	<Organization>particulier</Organization>
	<FullName>My Full Name</FullName>
	<AcceptEula>true</AcceptEula>
   </UserData>
  </component>
</settings>
<settings pass="oobeSystem" wasPassProcessed="true">
  <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="NonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
   <UserAccounts>
	<LocalAccounts>
	 <LocalAccount wcm:action="add">
	  <Name>Antoine</Name>
	  <Group>Administrators</Group>
	  <Password>*SENSITIVE*DATA*DELETED*</Password>
	 </LocalAccount>
	</LocalAccounts>
   </UserAccounts>
   <OOBE>
	<HideEULAPage>true</HideEULAPage>
	<NetworkLocation>Home</NetworkLocation>

<ProtectYourPC>1</ProtectYourPC>
	<HideWirelessSetupInOOBE>true</HideWirelessSetupInOOBE>
   </OOBE>
  </component>
</settings>
<settings pass="specialize" wasPassProcessed="true">
  <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="NonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
   <AutoLogon>
	<Enabled>true</Enabled>
	<Username>Antoine</Username>
	<Password>*SENSITIVE*DATA*DELETED*</Password>
	<LogonCount>9999999</LogonCount>
   </AutoLogon>
   <TimeZone>W. Europe Standard Time</TimeZone>
   <ComputerName>AntoinePC</ComputerName>
  </component>
</settings>
<cpi:offlineImage cpi:source="wim:C:/Win7DVD/sources/install.wim#Windows 7 Édition Intégrale" xmlns:cpi="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:cpi"></cpi:offlineImage>
</unattend>

offlineServicing
Use the offlineServicing configuration pass to apply unattended Setup settings
to an offline Microsoft® Windows® image.
During this configuration pass, you can add
language packs, updates, device drivers, or other packages to the offline image.
The offlineServicing configuration pass runs during Windows Setup. Setup extracts and installs the Windows image, and then executes the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (Dism.exe) tool.
Packages listed in the <servicing> section and settings in the <offlineServicing> section
of the answer file are applied to the offline Windows image.
Additionally, you can use the Dism.exe tool with an answer file to apply settings in the offlineServicing pass.
When you add packages to an image using an unattended answer file, the applicability of the package will not be checked.
The answer file will be applied, and the operation will complete even if there are packages specified
in the answer file which are not applicable to the image. If you need to check the applicability
of a package while you add it to an image,
use the DISM command with the /Add-Package option without the /ignorecheck option

Edited January 21, 2012 by myselfidem

Er1ch · November 26, 2011

Can anyone help me with my unattended file?

It seems to work fine for 7 Pro x86, but for 7 Pro x64 gives error 'could not apply unattend settings during pass [offlineservicing] in the end of setup.

I suppose the problem lies with <servicing> section, because upon removing it everything works fine. What am I doing wrong here? :g:


<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">
	<settings pass="windowsPE">
	 <component name="Microsoft-Windows-International-Core-WinPE" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
			<SetupUILanguage>
				<UILanguage>en-US</UILanguage>
			</SetupUILanguage>
			<InputLocale>et-EE</InputLocale>
			<SystemLocale>et-EE</SystemLocale>
			<UILanguage>en-US</UILanguage>
			<UserLocale>et-EE</UserLocale>
		</component>
	 <component name="Microsoft-Windows-International-Core-WinPE" 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">
			<SetupUILanguage>
				<UILanguage>en-US</UILanguage>
			</SetupUILanguage>
			<InputLocale>et-EE</InputLocale>
			<SystemLocale>et-EE</SystemLocale>
			<UILanguage>en-US</UILanguage>
			<UserLocale>et-EE</UserLocale>
		</component>
		<component name="Microsoft-Windows-Setup" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
			<UserData>
				<AcceptEula>true</AcceptEula>
			</UserData>
		</component>
		<component name="Microsoft-Windows-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">
			<UserData>
				<AcceptEula>true</AcceptEula>
			</UserData>
		</component>
	</settings>
<servicing>
  <package action="configure">
   <assemblyIdentity name="Microsoft-Windows-Foundation-Package" version="6.1.7601.17514" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="" />
   <selection name="FaxServicesClientPackage" state="false" />
   <selection name="Printing-Foundation-InternetPrinting-Client" state="false" />
   <selection name="Printing-XPSServices-Features" state="false" />
  </package>
  <package action="configure">
   <assemblyIdentity name="Microsoft-Windows-Foundation-Package" version="6.1.7601.17514" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="" />
   <selection name="FaxServicesClientPackage" state="false" />
   <selection name="Printing-Foundation-InternetPrinting-Client" state="false" />
   <selection name="Printing-XPSServices-Features" state="false" />
  </package>
</servicing>
	<settings pass="specialize">
		<component name="Microsoft-Windows-IE-InternetExplorer" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
			<AllSitesCompatibilityMode>false</AllSitesCompatibilityMode>
			<BlockPopups>yes</BlockPopups>
			<DisableAccelerators>true</DisableAccelerators>
			<DisableDevTools>true</DisableDevTools>
			<DisableFirstRunWizard>true</DisableFirstRunWizard>
			<DisableOOBAccelerators>true</DisableOOBAccelerators>
			<DisableWelcomePage>true</DisableWelcomePage>
			<EnableLinksBar>false</EnableLinksBar>
			<FilterLevel>Medium</FilterLevel>
			<FindProvidersURL>http://mycroft.mozdev.org/index.html</FindProvidersURL>
			<Home_Page>https://www.google.com</Home_Page>
			<LockToolbars>true</LockToolbars>
			<MSCompatibilityMode>true</MSCompatibilityMode>
			<PlaySound>false</PlaySound>
			<SearchScopes>
				<Scope wcm:action="add">
					<FaviconURL>https://www.google.com/favicon.ico</FaviconURL>
					<ScopeDefault>true</ScopeDefault>
					<ScopeDisplayName>Google</ScopeDisplayName>
					<ScopeKey>SearchProvider1</ScopeKey>
					<ScopeUrl>https://www.google.com/search?q={searchTerms}</ScopeUrl>
					<ShowSearchSuggestions>true</ShowSearchSuggestions>
					<SuggestionsURL_JSON>https://clients1.google.com/complete/search?json&hl=et&q={searchTerms}</SuggestionsURL_JSON>
				</Scope>
				<Scope wcm:action="add">
					<FaviconURL>https://en.wikipedia.org/favicon.ico</FaviconURL>
					<ScopeDisplayName>Wikipedia</ScopeDisplayName>
					<ScopeKey>SearchProvider2</ScopeKey>
					<ScopeUrl>https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?Special:Search&search={searchTerms}</ScopeUrl>
					<ShowSearchSuggestions>true</ShowSearchSuggestions>
					<SuggestionsURL_JSON>https://en.wikipedia.org/w/api.php?action=opensearch&search={searchTerms}</SuggestionsURL_JSON>
				</Scope>
			</SearchScopes>
			<ShowCommandBar>false</ShowCommandBar>
			<ShowCompatibilityViewButton>false</ShowCompatibilityViewButton>
			<ShowInformationBar>true</ShowInformationBar>
			<ShowMenuBar>false</ShowMenuBar>
			<ShowStatusBar>false</ShowStatusBar>
			<SuggestedSitesEnabled>false</SuggestedSitesEnabled>
		</component>
		<component name="Microsoft-Windows-IE-InternetExplorer" 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">
			<AllSitesCompatibilityMode>false</AllSitesCompatibilityMode>
			<BlockPopups>yes</BlockPopups>
			<DisableAccelerators>true</DisableAccelerators>
			<DisableDevTools>true</DisableDevTools>
			<DisableFirstRunWizard>true</DisableFirstRunWizard>
			<DisableOOBAccelerators>true</DisableOOBAccelerators>
			<DisableWelcomePage>true</DisableWelcomePage>
			<EnableLinksBar>false</EnableLinksBar>
			<FilterLevel>Medium</FilterLevel>
			<FindProvidersURL>http://mycroft.mozdev.org/index.html</FindProvidersURL>
			<Home_Page>https://www.google.com</Home_Page>
			<LockToolbars>true</LockToolbars>
			<MSCompatibilityMode>true</MSCompatibilityMode>
			<PlaySound>false</PlaySound>
			<SearchScopes>
				<Scope wcm:action="add">
					<FaviconURL>https://www.google.com/favicon.ico</FaviconURL>
					<ScopeDefault>true</ScopeDefault>
					<ScopeDisplayName>Google</ScopeDisplayName>
					<ScopeKey>SearchProvider1</ScopeKey>
					<ScopeUrl>https://www.google.com/search?q={searchTerms}</ScopeUrl>
					<ShowSearchSuggestions>true</ShowSearchSuggestions>
					<SuggestionsURL_JSON>https://clients1.google.com/complete/search?json&hl=et&q={searchTerms}</SuggestionsURL_JSON>
				</Scope>
				<Scope wcm:action="add">
					<FaviconURL>https://en.wikipedia.org/favicon.ico</FaviconURL>
					<ScopeDisplayName>Wikipedia</ScopeDisplayName>
					<ScopeKey>SearchProvider2</ScopeKey>
					<ScopeUrl>https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?Special:Search&search={searchTerms}</ScopeUrl>
					<ShowSearchSuggestions>true</ShowSearchSuggestions>
					<SuggestionsURL_JSON>https://en.wikipedia.org/w/api.php?action=opensearch&search={searchTerms}</SuggestionsURL_JSON>
				</Scope>
			</SearchScopes>
			<ShowCommandBar>false</ShowCommandBar>
			<ShowCompatibilityViewButton>false</ShowCompatibilityViewButton>
			<ShowInformationBar>true</ShowInformationBar>
			<ShowMenuBar>false</ShowMenuBar>
			<ShowStatusBar>false</ShowStatusBar>
			<SuggestedSitesEnabled>false</SuggestedSitesEnabled>
		</component>
		<component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
			<ProductKey>Y-U-SO-CURIOUS?</ProductKey>
			<ShowWindowsLive>false</ShowWindowsLive>
			<TimeZone>FLE Standard Time</TimeZone>
		</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">
			<ProductKey>Y-U-SO-CURIOUS?</ProductKey>
			<ShowWindowsLive>false</ShowWindowsLive>
			<TimeZone>FLE Standard Time</TimeZone>
		</component>
	</settings>
	<settings pass="oobeSystem">
		<component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="x86" 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>
				<HideWirelessSetupInOOBE>true</HideWirelessSetupInOOBE>
				<ProtectYourPC>3</ProtectYourPC>
			</OOBE>
		</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>
				<HideWirelessSetupInOOBE>true</HideWirelessSetupInOOBE>
				<ProtectYourPC>3</ProtectYourPC>
			</OOBE>
		</component>
	</settings>
</unattend>

bphlpt · November 27, 2011

As was discussed in another thread - http://www.wincert.net/forum/index.php?/topic/9178-create-your-own-autounattendxml-all-in-one-x86amd64/page__pid__79672__st__40#entry79672 - I would probably first try reordering the .xml file so that the x64 subsections come before the x86 subsections in all areas of the file and see if the behavior changes.

Cheers and Regards

Er1ch · November 27, 2011

Thanks for the tip, but it's no help. More suggestions?

myselfidem · November 27, 2011

Remove the lines about:

Not available for Windows 7!

More help:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd744311(WS.10).aspx

Edited November 27, 2011 by myselfidem

Er1ch · November 27, 2011

Remove the lines about:
<servicing>
<package action="configure">
Not available for Windows 7!

It works for 7 Pro x86 setup. I suspect that I've made some syntax error so it won't work under x64. Edited November 27, 2011 by Er1ch

myselfidem · November 27, 2011

Please ask your questions inside the right topic!

Even if it's works on Windows 7 x86 it's not available for Windows 7!

Look at the documentation .chm!

Er1ch · November 27, 2011

Then I suppose the optimal way of disabling those features is to create a batch file using dism before deployment?

myselfidem · November 27, 2011

Yes!

Look at the Microsoft link I give you above using DISM:

You can do that first with your mounted image, then unmount/commit!

/Disable-Feature

/FeatureName:<name_in_image>

/PackageName:<name_in_image>

Disables the specified feature in the image.

You must use the /FeatureName option.

Use the /Get-Features option to find the name of the feature in the image. Feature names are case sensitive.

Examples:

Dism /image:C:\test\offline /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:Hearts

Dism /image:C:\test\offline /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:Calc /PackageName:Microsoft.Windows.Calc.Demo~6595b6144ccf1df~x86~en~1.0.0.0

Edited November 27, 2011 by myselfidem

Er1ch · November 27, 2011

Yes, I tested disabling features by dism from command prompt and it works. Yay!

But since I create an AIO disk, I seek to write a batch file in order to automate the process.

I suppose I'll post a feature request to add the option of running a custom batch file upon finishing.

myselfidem · December 10, 2011

Yes, I tested disabling features by dism from command prompt and it works. Yay!
But since I create an AIO disk, I seek to write a batch file in order to automate the process.
I suppose I'll post a feature request to add the option of running a custom batch file upon finishing.

Yes, of course you can add a request!

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