Run custom application during first boot

[CATTANK]

Instead of using a vbscript inputbox to ask for a username to use, I would like to make it more presentable by using a .net app which would then build a script and run it based on input from the user. (naming the computer, joining to domain, adding local admin etc) Is this at all possible?

[Tripredacus]

It is definately possible, but all the things you listed are possible to do with the unattend file.

[CATTANK]

It is definately possible, but all the things you listed are possible to do with the unattend file.

Hi Tripredacus, thanks for the reply, after reading my question, I'm not too sure if I've used the right terminology.

I want it to run during that first boot where the user selects the regional settings, calendar date/time etc. I believe it is running a PE version of Windows, but not too sure if it has the .net framework running.

Most things will be done with the unattend file, it is just that we also do a few things using a script which requires input from the end user and I would like to make the process prettier than an inputbox.

[cluberti]

This almost sounds like it could be achieved with an HTA in RunOnce or something much quicker/easier than writing a whole app for it .

[CATTANK]

This almost sounds like it could be achieved with an HTA in RunOnce or something much quicker/easier than writing a whole app for it .

That isn't a bad idea at all actually, thanks cluberti. Would just need to work out if I could get it to run the script after the user inputs their username, the machine will then just rename to their username+year add them as a local admin and to other groups, the unattend would join them to the domain.

But just out of curiosity can you run a .Net app inside winPE?

[cluberti]

An HTA can run vbscript, jscript, or HTML (it's just an HTML container inside a WebBrowser Control). If you can write a page that loads a .net activex control, you could probably run it in an HTA.

[Tripredacus]

.NET Framework support is not included in WinPE by default. There have been some projects that have gotten it to work, notably: