Windows/Autounattend

Overview

Autounattend is a great way to automate the deployment of Windows operating systems with predefined settings and installed software. I choose to use Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) rather than MDT (MS Deployment Toolkit) as I do not want to setup a deployment server.

Installation

Fairly straight forward, download and install the latest version of Windows ADK for Windows 10. In my instance, I chose to make auto unattend instances of Windows Server 2012r2, 2016, & 2019, so I installed ADK for win 10 on an instance of Windows Server.
https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2086042
Make sure you look over the release notes as sometimes MS does stupid things, like release patches for the latest version because they broke basic functionality. Such is the case for v1903.

Selections

You only need the Deployment Tools feature as it contains Windows System Image Manager (SIM)

Configuration

Mount

First you'll need to mount the ISO and copy a file to the local hdd, as SIM needs read/write access and mounting will only give read.
Create a folder locally and copy install.wim to it from /sources in the image.

SIM

Now we will need to open up SIM (Windows System Image Manager).
[click] File > [select] Select Windows Image.. > [browse] to the local store containing install.wim > [select] install.wim > [click] Open > [select] the appropriate version of Windows you want to create an autounattend.xml for (remember, CORE does not include a GUI) > [click] OK & Yes to create a catalog file.
Generally creation of the catalog file takes some time. You will want to save a copy of this when you complete the XML in case you need to edit anything in the future.

autounattend.xml

Now its finally time to setup the options for your autounattend.xml.
[click] File > [select] New Answer File > Save the answer file autounattend

Disabling the Language and other preferences dialog

Windows Image pane > component: amd64_Microsoft-Windows-International-Core-WinPE_10.0.14393.0_neutral > [Right-click] Add Setting to Pass 1 windowsPE
Using the Answer File Properties and Settings panes, configure the following:

• InputLocale = en-US
• SystemLocale = en-US
• UILanguage = en-US
• UserLocale = en-US

Disabling the Select Operating System dialog

Windows Image pane > component: amd64_Microsoft-Windows-Setup_10.0.14393.0_neutral > [Right-click] on ImageInstall/OSImage/InstallFrom/Metadata (EXPAND OUT) and choose Add Setting to Pass 1 windowsPE.
Using the Answer File Properties and Settings panes, configure the following:

• Key = /IMAGE/NAME
• Value = Windows Server 2016 SERVERDATACENTER

NOTE: Make sure the /IMAGE/NAME value matches the Windows Server Image flavor you originally selected. If unsure, scroll up in the Windows Image pane.

Disabling the EULA dialog

Windows Image pane > component: amd64_Microsoft-Windows-Setup_10.0.14393.0_neutral > [Right-click] on UserData and choose Add Setting to Pass 1 windowsPE.
Using the Answer File Properties and Settings panes, configure the following:

• AcceptEula = true