Let the user choose the Win7 edition ...

**midiboy** · May 2, 2010

Hi Guys,

I am wondering if anyone has a solution for this problem. I am trying to create an unattended DVD installation of Windows7 where the user is able to choose the edition (Home, pro, Ultimate ...) during WinPE phase but let Windows install silently later on meaning no Welcome Wizard etc.

The reason behind this is I want to give the user the chance to choose the edition he has bought a key for.

However this does not seem possible. Either, I specify a product key for the chosen edition in autounattend.xml in the "Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" component during specialize phase or Windows setup will always ask for the key during that phase thereby stopping the unattended setup. Since I cannot know in advance what edition the user will choose I have no chance for a silent installation, right ?

If anyone knows a solution for this problem, please help ...

Thanks,

Alex

**grabben** · May 2, 2010

Uhm use DISM to integrate key to mounted edition and remove ei.cfg will work.

Or just enter key to unattended file..

**arwidmark** · May 2, 2010

You should check out the free MDT 2010 Lite Touch deployment solution. www.microsoft.com/deployment... MDT has a bultin funtion for offline media + a wizard that will allow you to select what operating systems to deploy...

I have attached a screenshot of the deployment wizard

Edited May 3, 2010 by Tripredacus

**midiboy** · May 2, 2010

Hi guys,

thanks for the quick replies!

@grabben:

I don´t undestand. I cannot integrate any key because I do not know which edition the user will choose and I have no idea which key he bought. Also I cannot integrate all default keys for each edition because there is one autounattend.xml for all editions (one wim has all editions but there is one autounattend.xml for one wim)

@arwidmark:

Thanks. Would this be a wizard that runs before Windows Setup and then chooses a different autounattend.xml depending on the choice the user selects in the wizard ?

Bye,

Alex

**cloferba** · May 2, 2010

You should check out the free MDT 2010 Lite Touch deployment solution. www.microsoft.com/deployment...

that url doesnt work

i hope to see this thread continuing

**maestrodellaves** · May 3, 2010

Hi midiboy,

i'm looking to get the same as you.

If I delete the ei.cfg but left the Autounattend.xml, just let me choose an unattended version.

However, if I delete the Autounattend.xml lets me choose the version you want, but not installed as unattended ...

**MrJinje** · May 3, 2010

why dont you attach but not paste your XML so we do not have to guess what you have inside it.

It may be possible to skip activation using the XML, but we also need to remove the snip in your XML that is preventing you from being able to choose your image.

I'll probably end up asking you to delete the entire "ImageInstall" section, but I'll need to see your XML first to be sure.

            <ImageInstall>
                <OSImage>
                    <InstallFrom>
                        <MetaData wcm:action="add">
                            <Key>/IMAGE/NAME</Key>
                            <Value>Windows 7 ULTIMATE</Value>
                        </MetaData>
                    </InstallFrom>
                </OSImage>
            </ImageInstall>

Edited May 3, 2010 by MrJinje

**Tripredacus** · May 3, 2010

You should check out the free MDT 2010 Lite Touch deployment solution. www.microsoft.com/deployment...
that url doesnt work
i hope to see this thread continuing

I'm not sure what link it was supposed to be, here seems to be a start I found on TechNet:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd919179%28WS.10%29.aspx

**cluberti** · May 3, 2010

See these posts:

Deployment of Windows using MDT 2010

Default product keys for Windows (Vista/2008 and Win7/2008R2)

**kai4785** · May 3, 2010

@midiboy

Funny, I accidentally did exactly what you want to do. I wanted a fully automated install, including choosing the version of OS to install. Where I got to first was fully unattended, minus choosing the OS, and adding Key.

Simply remove The windowsPE->ImageInstall->OSImage->InstallFrom component, and the Product Key from your Unattended XML. In both cases, if they are missing, the installer will prompt for the answers. You can leave the "InstallTo" and the "DiskConfiguration" components.

**maestrodellaves** · May 4, 2010

This is my autounnatend.xml:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?> 
- <unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">
- <settings pass="windowsPE">
- <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>
- <ProductKey>
  <Key>PRODUCTKEY</Key> 
  <WillShowUI>OnError</WillShowUI> 
  </ProductKey>
  <Organization>eXPerienciaUE.net</Organization> 
  <FullName>maestrodellaves</FullName> 
  <AcceptEula>true</AcceptEula> 
  </UserData>
- <ImageInstall>
- <OSImage>
- <InstallFrom>
- <MetaData wcm:action="add">
  <Key>/IMAGE/NAME</Key> 
  <Value>Windows 7 ULTIMATE</Value> 
  </MetaData>
  </InstallFrom>
  <InstallToAvailablePartition>false</InstallToAvailablePartition> 
  <WillShowUI>OnError</WillShowUI> 
  </OSImage>
  </ImageInstall>
  </component>
  </settings>
- <settings pass="oobeSystem">
- <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> 
  <NetworkLocation>Other</NetworkLocation> 
  <ProtectYourPC>2</ProtectYourPC> 
  </OOBE>
  </component>
  </settings>
- <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">
  <ComputerName>eXPerienciaUE</ComputerName> 
  </component>
- <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Security-Licensing-SLC-UX" 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">
  <SkipAutoActivation>true</SkipAutoActivation> 
  </component>
  </settings>
  <cpi:offlineImage cpi:source="wim:F:/Users/Carlos/Desktop/DVD/sources/install.wim#Windows 7 ULTIMATE" xmlns:cpi="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:cpi" /> 
  </unattend>

Edited May 4, 2010 by Tripredacus
removed product key

**maestrodellaves** · May 4, 2010

Thanks for your replies, it worked as said kai4785:

Simply remove The windowsPE->ImageInstall->OSImage->InstallFrom component, and the Product Key from your Unattended XML. In both cases, if they are missing, the installer will prompt for the answers. You can leave the "InstallTo" and the "DiskConfiguration" components.

Edited May 4, 2010 by maestrodellaves

**MrJinje** · May 4, 2010

why dont you attach but not paste your XML

You pasted your XML didn't you

Anyways, here is what the OP was asking for (using Maestro's sample), have removed the Product key and installfrom parts. This XML will require each user to choose an image, and it does not specify a key. (it uses the Default Trial keys as in Cluberti's links)

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?> 
- <unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">
- <settings pass="windowsPE">
- <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>

  <Organization>eXPerienciaUE.net</Organization> 
  <FullName>maestrodellaves</FullName> 
  <AcceptEula>true</AcceptEula> 
  </UserData>
- <ImageInstall>
- <OSImage>

  <InstallToAvailablePartition>false</InstallToAvailablePartition> 
  <WillShowUI>OnError</WillShowUI> 
  </OSImage>
  </ImageInstall>
  </component>
  </settings>
- <settings pass="oobeSystem">
- <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> 
  <NetworkLocation>Other</NetworkLocation> 
  <ProtectYourPC>2</ProtectYourPC> 
  </OOBE>
  </component>
  </settings>
- <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">
  <ComputerName>eXPerienciaUE</ComputerName> 
  </component>
- <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Security-Licensing-SLC-UX" 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">
  <SkipAutoActivation>true</SkipAutoActivation> 
  </component>
  </settings>
  <cpi:offlineImage cpi:source="wim:F:/Users/Carlos/Desktop/DVD/sources/install.wim#Windows 7 ULTIMATE" xmlns:cpi="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:cpi" /> 
  </unattend>

I left in the skipautoactivation because it slows down the installation. This way your 'users' have 30 days to enter their 'paid for' product key. If you don't like it, delete this line "<SkipAutoActivation>true</SkipAutoActivation>" and it will pause the installation process until your 'users' enter a working key.

Here are the exact parts I deleted, hopefully the OP can duplicate the edit in his XML.

- <ProductKey>
  <Key>PRODUCTKEY</Key> 
  <WillShowUI>onerror</WillShowUI> 
  </ProductKey>


- <InstallFrom>
- <MetaData wcm:action="add">
  <Key>/IMAGE/NAME</Key> 
  <Value>Windows 7 ULTIMATE</Value> 
  </MetaData>
  </InstallFrom>

Edited May 4, 2010 by Tripredacus

**urie** · May 4, 2010

This is my autounnatend.xml:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?> 
- <unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">
- <settings pass="windowsPE">
- <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>
- <ProductKey>
  <Key>PRODUCTKEY</Key> 
  <WillShowUI>OnError</WillShowUI> 
  </ProductKey>
  <Organization>eXPerienciaUE.net</Organization> 
  <FullName>maestrodellaves</FullName> 
  <AcceptEula>true</AcceptEula> 
  </UserData>
- <ImageInstall>
- <OSImage>
- <InstallFrom>
- <MetaData wcm:action="add">
  <Key>/IMAGE/NAME</Key> 
  <Value>Windows 7 ULTIMATE</Value> 
  </MetaData>
  </InstallFrom>
  <InstallToAvailablePartition>false</InstallToAvailablePartition> 
  <WillShowUI>OnError</WillShowUI> 
  </OSImage>
  </ImageInstall>
  </component>
  </settings>
- <settings pass="oobeSystem">
- <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> 
  <NetworkLocation>Other</NetworkLocation> 
  <ProtectYourPC>2</ProtectYourPC> 
  </OOBE>
  </component>
  </settings>
- <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">
  <ComputerName>eXPerienciaUE</ComputerName> 
  </component>
- <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Security-Licensing-SLC-UX" 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">
  <SkipAutoActivation>true</SkipAutoActivation> 
  </component>
  </settings>
  <cpi:offlineImage cpi:source="wim:F:/Users/Carlos/Desktop/DVD/sources/install.wim#Windows 7 ULTIMATE" xmlns:cpi="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:cpi" /> 
  </unattend>

@ maestrodellaves, remove your serial number from xml.

Edited May 4, 2010 by Tripredacus

**grabben** · May 4, 2010

This is my autounnatend.xml:
@ maestrodellaves, remove your serial number from xml.
If your not admin or so maybe you should remove it yourself from your quote ?

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Let the user choose the Win7 edition ...

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