Common Elements for Windows Answer Files

An answer file makes it possible to deploy Windows with “zero touch”, meaning that all of the installation parameters are specified and the installation will proceed without further input from the technician.

Warning! If your answer file is fully automated and includes a partitioning scheme, you run the risk of unintentionally wiping out a production system if you accidentally boot it with installer media that implements your answer file.

This page details the elements that you need to create a “zero touch” deployment, and includes additional elements for custom logos, wallpapers, OEM support information, etc. You should substitute your own information for values encapsulated in [SQUARE BRACKETS].

Components > amd64_Microsoft-Windows-International-Core-WinPE_neutral

Element	Value
InputLocale	en-US
SystemLocale	en-US
UILanguage	en-US
UILanguageFallback	en-US
UserLocale	en-US
SetupUILanguage\UILanguage	en-US
SetupUILanguage\WillShowUI	OnError

Components > amd64_Microsoft-Windows-Setup_neutral > DiskConfiguration > 1 windowsPE

Element	Value
DiskConfiguration\WillShowUI	OnError
DiskConfiguration\Disk\ID	0
DiskConfiguration\Disk\WillWipeDisk	true
DiskConfiguration\CreatePartitions\CreatePartition\Order	1
DiskConfiguration\CreatePartitions\CreatePartition\Size	300
DiskConfiguration\CreatePartitions\CreatePartition\Type	Primary
DiskConfiguration\CreatePartitions\CreatePartition\Order	2
DiskConfiguration\CreatePartitions\CreatePartition\Size	100
DiskConfiguration\CreatePartitions\CreatePartition\Type	EFI
DiskConfiguration\CreatePartitions\CreatePartition\Order	3
DiskConfiguration\CreatePartitions\CreatePartition\Size	128
DiskConfiguration\CreatePartitions\CreatePartition\Type	MSR
DiskConfiguration\CreatePartitions\CreatePartition\Order	4
DiskConfiguration\CreatePartitions\CreatePartition\Extend	true
DiskConfiguration\CreatePartitions\CreatePartition\Type	Primary
DiskConfiguration\ModifyPartitions\ModifyPartition\Order	1
DiskConfiguration\ModifyPartitions\ModifyPartition\PartitionID	1
DiskConfiguration\ModifyPartitions\ModifyPartition\Format	NTFS
DiskConfiguration\ModifyPartitions\ModifyPartition\Label	WINRE
DiskConfiguration\ModifyPartitions\ModifyPartition\TypeID	DE94BBA4-06D1-4D40-A16A-BFD50179D6AC
DiskConfiguration\ModifyPartitions\ModifyPartition\Order	2
DiskConfiguration\ModifyPartitions\ModifyPartition\PartitionID	2
DiskConfiguration\ModifyPartitions\ModifyPartition\Format	FAT32
DiskConfiguration\ModifyPartitions\ModifyPartition\Label	System
DiskConfiguration\ModifyPartitions\ModifyPartition\Order	3
DiskConfiguration\ModifyPartitions\ModifyPartition\PartitionID	3
DiskConfiguration\ModifyPartitions\ModifyPartition\Order	4
DiskConfiguration\ModifyPartitions\ModifyPartition\PartitionID	4
DiskConfiguration\ModifyPartitions\ModifyPartition\Format	NTFS
DiskConfiguration\ModifyPartitions\ModifyPartition\Label	Windows
DiskConfiguration\ModifyPartitions\ModifyPartition\Letter	C

Components > amd64_Microsoft-Windows-Setup_neutral > ImageInstall > OSImage > InstallTo > 1 windowsPE

Element	Value
ImageInstall\OSImage\InstallTo\DiskID	0
ImageInstall\OSImage\InstallTo\PartitionID	4

Components > amd64_Microsoft-Windows-Setup_neutral > UserData > 1 windowsPE

Element	Value
AcceptEula	true
FullName	[DEPARTMENT]
Organization	[COMPANY]
UserData\ProductKey	[PRODUCT KEY]
UserData\WillShowUI	OnError

Components > amd64_Microsoft-Windows-International-Core_neutral > 4 specialize

Element	Value
InputLocale	en-US
SystemLocale	en-US
UILanguage	en-US
UILanguageFallback	en-US
UserLocale	en-US

Components > amd64_Microsoft-Windows-MicrosoftEdgeBrowser_neutral > FavoriteBarItems > FavoriteBarItem > 4 specialize

Element	Value
ItemKey	1
ItemName	[LINK NAME]
ItemUrl	[LINK ADDRESS]

Components > amd64_Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup_neutral > OEMInformation > 4 specialize

Element	Value
OEMName	[COMPANY]
ProductKey	[PRODUCT KEY]
OEMInformation\Logo	%windir%\system32\OEM\logo.png
OEMInformation\Manufacturer	[COMPANY]
OEMInformation\Model	[MODEL]
OEMInformation\SupportHours	[HOURS]
OEMInformation\SupportPhone	[SUPPORT PHONE NUMBER]
OEMInformation\SupportProvider	[SUPPORT DEPARTMENT NAME]
OEMInformation\SupportURL	[SUPPORT LINK]

Components > amd64_Microsoft-Windows-International-Core_neutral > 7 oobeSystem

Element	Value
InputLocale	en-US
SystemLocale	en-US
UILanguage	en-US
UILanguageFallback	en-US
UserLocale	en-US

Components > amd64_Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup_neutral > OOBE > 7 oobeSystem

Element	Value
HideEULAPage	true
ProtectYourPC	1

Components > amd64_Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup_neutral > Themes > 7 oobeSystem

Element	Value
BrandIcon	%windir%\system32\OEM\icon.png
DesktopBackground	%windir%\system32\OEM\wallpaper.png
ThemeName	[THEME NAME]
WindowColor	0xff[COLOR HEX VALUE]

Packages > Foundation > amd64_Microsoft-Windows-Foundation-Package > Packages

Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux: Enabled

Packages > OnDemandPack > amd64_OpenSSH-Client-Package > Packages

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