Windows 7 / Getting Started

Automating with Unattend.xml

Windows SIM is the primary tool for creating and modifying Unattend.xml. It is designed to validate each automation step against the actual files in an image to ensure that you use proper syntax to build the automation. This provides an extra measure of assurance that unattended installations will work as planned.

When beginning the process of creating an answer file, be sure to create a catalog file if necessary to allow Windows SIM to validate your choices against the image file. Add answer file options to the answer file by right-clicking a feature and choosing Add Setting To Pass 1 WindowsPE. The setting will then appear in the answer file pane, where you can configure it.

When you complete answer file customization, you can validate the answer file by clicking Tools and then choosing Validate Answer File. Any settings that are not configured or that use invalid configuration settings will be listed in the Messages pane. When you are satisfied with the answer file, save it to the root folder of your Windows PE media. When you boot a system using this media, the answer file is automatically detected and will control the operation of Windows PE.

Note For more detailed information on using Windows SIM to create automation files, see the Windows Automated Installation Kit User's Guide.

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In this tutorial:

  1. Preparing Windows PE
  2. Exploring Windows PE
  3. Capabilities
  4. Limitations
  5. New Features of Windows PE 3.0
  6. Setting Up the Environment
  7. Installing the Windows AIK 2.0
  8. Configuring the Build Environment
  9. Removing the Build Environment
  10. Windows 7 Working with PE
  11. Creating Bootable Media
  12. Booting from a Hard Disk Drive
  13. Customizing Windows PE
  14. Automating Windows PE
  15. Automating with Unattend.xml
  16. Adding Images to Windows Deployment Services
  17. Using Windows PE with Microsoft Deployment Toolkit