Rename the file with the.xml extension, place in the sysprep folder, and then run. Sysprep /generalize /oobe /shutdown /unattend:nameofanswerfile.xml. Works really nice! 1 found this helpful. Thanks for your feedback! Windows System Image Manager (WSIM) uses Windows image (.wim) files and catalog (.clg) files to display the available components and packages that can be added to an unattended answer file. Windows images and catalog files contain configurable settings that you can modify once the component or package is added to an answer file. Windows System Image Manager is the tool used to create an unattended Windows Setup answer file. Windows AFG, however, does not need the Windows Automated Installation Kit or Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit to be installed or downloaded.
Unattended Windows installation is done via 'Answer Files', or 'Unattend files'.
These files are generally named 'autounattend.xml'. They are notPacker-specific tools, though we do make use of them.
If, after following this guide, you're still having issues getting an answerfile working, We recommend you read the official documentation onanswer files.
The guide here is hopefully enough to get you started, but isn't a replacementfor the official documentation.
»When To Use an Answer File
If you are installing the Windows Operating System from a mounted iso as part ofyour Packer build, you will need to use an Answer file. For example, you'rebuilding an image from scratch using the vmware-iso,virtualbox-iso, orhyperv-iso builders.
If you are not installing the operating system, you won't need to provide ananswer file. If you are using a pre-built imagein a cloud, you don't need to worry about Answer files.
»How to make an Answer File
You can either start from an example answer file from a known repo (take a lookat the examples links below), or you can generate one using an answer filewizard by selecting New File > New Answer file on a Windows machine.A comprehensive list of all the options you can set in an answer file can befound here
»Where to put the Answer File
Windows will automatically look for an autounattend.xml file on mounted drives.Many users use the floppy_files option or a secondary mounted iso forproviding the answer file to their iso builders.
You can also specify an unattend file to use by using the /unattend: option whenrunning Windows Setup (setup.exe) in your boot_command.
»What does Packer need the Answer File to do?
Packer needs the Answer File to handle any questions that would normally beanswered interactively during a Windows installation.
If you want to be able to use provisioners, the Answer file must also containa script that sets up SSH or WinRM so that Packer can connect to the instance.
Finally, your Packer build will be much smoother if the Answer File handles ordisables windows updates rather than you tyring to run them using a Packerprovisioner. This is because the winrm communicator does not handle thedisconnects caused by automatic reboots in Windows updates well, and thedisconnections can fail a build.
»Examples
The chef-maintained bento boxes are a great example of a windows build thatsets up openssh as part of the unattended installation so that Packer canconnect using the SSH communicator. They functioning answer files for everymodern Windows version can be found here.
Stefan Scherer's packer-windows repois a great example of windows builds that set up WinRM as part of the unattendedinstallation so that Packer can connect using the winrm communicator:
Windows Answer File Generator (WAFG) is a simple website that provides similar functions to Windows System Image Manager (SIM).
Windows System Image Manager is the tool used to create an unattended Windows Setup answer file. Windows AFG, however, does not need the Windows Automated Installation Kit or Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit to be installed or downloaded. Windows AFG provides a simple web based form that gives the user options to configure the desired answer file; which is all based off Windows SIM.
This website will allow you to configure numerous settings that are necessary for the Windows Setup process. Some of the configuration settings include:
- General Installation settings
- Regional configuration
- Out Of Box Experience settings
- Windows Update settings
- Partition creation
- User Account information
Windows AFG has one simple form to create an unattended answer file for the x86 and x64 bit architectures.
All major editions of Windows 7 are supported, which include:
- Windows 7 Starter
- Windows 7 Home Basic
- Windows 7 Home Premium
- Windows 7 Professional
- Windows 7 Ultimate
- Windows 7 Enterprise
All major editions of Windows 8 are supported, which include:
- Windows 8
- Windows 8 Pro
- Windows 8 Pro with Media Center
- Windows 8 Enterprise
All major editions of Windows 8.1 are supported, which include:
- Windows 8.1
- Windows 8.1 Pro
- Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
- Windows 8.1 Enterprise
All major editions of Windows 10 are supported, which include:
- Windows 10 Home
- Windows 10 Pro
- Windows 10 Education
- Windows 10 Enterprise
- Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB
All major editions of Windows Server 2008 and Server 2008 R2 are supported, which include:
- Windows Server 2008/R2 Foundation
- Windows Server 2008/R2 Storage Server
- Windows Server 2008/R2 Web Server
- Windows Server 2008/R2 Standard
- Windows Server 2008/R2 Enterprise
- Windows Server 2008/R2 Datacenter
- Windows Server 2008/R2 HPC
- Windows Server 2008/R2 Itanium
All major editions of Windows Server 2012 are supported, which include:
- Windows Server 2012/R2 Foundation
- Windows Server 2012/R2 Essentials
- Windows Server 2012/R2 Standard
- Windows Server 2012/R2 Datacenter
All major editions of Windows Server 2016 are supported, which include:
- Windows Server 2016 Essentials
- Windows Server 2016 Standard
- Windows Server 2016 Datacenter
All major editions of Windows Server 2019 are supported, which include:
- Windows Server 2019 Standard
- Windows Server 2019 Datacenter
Sub versions of Windows Server 2008 and Server 2008 R2 are supported, which include:
- Windows Small Business Server 2008
- Windows Small Business Server 2011
Windows AFG also supports Windows 7 images that have the 'ei.cfg' removed. When using an installation that has the 'ei.cfg' removed, you will be prompted to select the Windows edition before the unattended installation beings.
This form based tool can be used by anyone; from individuals who install Windows 7 for friends or family, all the way up to enterprise IT personnel. This can be used in conjunction with disk cloning and Sysprep for desktop deployment.
If you find this website or its content useful and you wish to make a donation, please feel free by clicking the button below. Any donations received will be much appreciated with keeping this website operational, maintaining hardware/software, providing code updates and adding extra features.
Windows 8.1 Unattend File
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