By Nick Saball
In this tutorial we will provide you with the essential skills required to create and personalize an unattended Windows 10 installation disk. You will have the ability to create a fully customized and personalized installation disk ready for deployment, with availability of many features, such as Windows and driver updates not normally included in a generic Windows 10 installation.
Along with these additional customization's, you will learn to embed all necessary Windows installation information that would normally prompt for user intervention, onto the Windows 10 installation disk. This information will be imputed automatically upon installation, giving you a more personal install without the annoying prompts waiting for your attention. The final product will be a fully customized system ready for use upon completion.
What will you need…
In order for this to be accomplished we will be using system imaging software called NTLite, which is offered free with limitations and Home, Professional, and Business Licenses. For full capability in this tutorial it is recommended that you have at least a Home License but unattended installation can still be accomplished with the free version, we will clarify the capabilities available or not throughout this tutorial.
You can download NTLite here:
https://www.ntlite.com/download/
Also you will need Windows 10 installation media, backup the contents of your installation media to a safe location, specifically the sources folder. This folder contains the image file that we will be mounting in a moment.
Mounting a Windows 10 image file
The first step in creating a fully automated Windows 10 installation disk is loading the image file that we just mentioned. On the toolbar click add and select Image File (WIM, ESD, SWM) now follow the path to the sources folder on your Windows 10 installation media and select the install.esd image file to be mounted.
After you have added the install.esd image file, you must load the image file in order for a complete mount. To do this, simply right click on the image you will be mounting and click load.
As you select load you will receive a prompt warning you to backup the image file beforehand because in order for the image file to be loaded it must be converted to the standard WIM format. Be sure to back up these files, if you haven't already and proceed with the conversion.
The image file will be converted from install.esd to install.wim and the file will begin to load. This process requires a bit of patience, depending on the speed of your system this can take anywhere between 10 - 30 minutes. Upon completion your image file will be fully mounted and you can now begin to customize your image file.
Image File Components
The next five sections of this tutorial are not required in the creation of an automated installation disk, but are very useful features included with NTLite, if you find you would like to utilize them, otherwise you can skip to the Image File Unattended section.
Here in the Components tab you can free up space on your RAM and storage drive memory by removing unwanted and/or unnecessary components included with a generic windows installation. If you prefer to install only the minimum of required components, from the toolbar select Expand all followed by Uncheck all, and this will remove all components that are not necessary on your system.
If you have no license and are using the free option, in this segment you are only granted basic component removal, with a Home License you have full component removal and can leave yourself with only the bare minimum of required components. For purposes of this tutorial we will not be removing any components as this not necessary to achieve unattended installation, and recommended for advanced users only.
Image File Features
Here you can implement features not regularly included in a generic Windows 10 installation, again for this tutorial we will be going with the default selection, but you can make whatever changes you would like. Although without a Home License you are restricted from enabling or disabling the majority of the features included. If you have a Home License make whatever changes you would like, if you do not it is best to stick with the default and continue to the Updates tab.
Image File Updates
This tab in NTLite can integrate Windows updates into your installation saving you from extra time spent after the installation process. To do this first run an install without integrated updates, and make a list of all important Security Updates available. These downloads can be found by KB number from Microsoft Download Center or by using Windows Updates Downloader.
Image File Drivers
This section is recommended but not necessary as were the last three sections. Here we are given the ability to integrate drivers into our installation media, this will cut back a lot of time in post-installation maintenance. If you have a Home License this process can be made very simple, by clicking Import host on the toolbar. After a short moment your current systems drivers will be integrated into the image file. This may include a lot more than necessary, so you can click Exclude unused and this will remove any unused drivers.
If you do not have a Home License the Import host function will be disabled and you will have to add your drivers manually, do so by downloading your desired drivers beforehand, and save them in the same folder, at the very least network drivers are recommended. Once you have your drivers prepared, click the Add drop-down button in the toolbar, and then select Folder with multiple drivers. Now navigate to the location of the drivers folder and click Select Folder.
Image File Tweaks
Another but final optional section of this tutorial, here you can make adjustments or "tweaks" to your installation media, again cutting back dramatically on post-installation maintenance. The settings will already be applied, mainly to default so if you would like to make further adjustments, feel free. For this tutorial we will be going with the default and moving forward.
Image File Unattended
Finally, we have reached the section where unattended installation will actually be applied. So first off there will be a few differences between the free version and the Home License, if you are using the free version you will be restricted from the Auto-fill feature which enables the user to auto-fill all settings needed for an unattended installation, with settings currently configured on the host machine. In any case, whether you are using a licensed version or not, we will still be going through the unattended settings so we can gain an understanding of what each setting executes.
Before we can begin we must gain access to the Unattended settings, this can be done by selecting Enable in the toolbar. Once Unattended mode has been enabled many new settings will become available to you. We can skip past the Generalize section, and configure settings by selecting the drop down box on the far right, adjacent to each setting.
OOBE (Final install options):
Windows language:
As you select True on Skip local account setup you are prompted with a warning that states:
"When skipping local account wizard, make sure to add at least one local account or be part of the domain, in order to be able to login."
So in order for our installation to be fully automated we must create a local account, Click OK and then select Add local account from the toolbar.
This will activate the Add local account wizard, where we will be adding two local accounts; first of which will be the built-in Administrator.
Select both Enable built-in Administrator and Auto-logon this user, enter your desired password and click OK.
Now select Add local account once again,
This time leave both boxes unselected, add to Administrators group, chose desired name and password and click OK.
(Second user is not necessary but highly recommended for security and safety purposes)
Now, once these local accounts have been created we will continue where we left off.
Out-of-box experience:
Windows localization:
Report installation statistics:
* Note: settings may vary between user, choose accordingly.
At this point we have nearly all of our unattended settings configured, all that is left to do is create our partitions. To do this click Individual partition in the toolbar and this will open the Individual partition wizard. Configure the following settings and click OK.
Individual partition:
Disk:
*Note: Adjust to your system volume, for this tutorial the drive is 20GB equivalent to 20000MB.
Now Lastly before we move on to the last segment we must apply two last settings in this section. From the toolbar, first select Copy to boot image and then Dual architecture.
It is not required but if you prefer to integrate a workgroup or domain to join upon installation, continue through this segment, if not feel free to skip ahead. Click Join network on the toolbar to open the Network Join wizard. Now enter your workgroup name or domain information and click OK.
Network Join (Optional):
Workgroup:
Apply
After all has been configured to your preference, all that is left to do is apply these settings, convert back to .esd and create an ISO image.
So first we will enable conversion from WIM back to ESD by selecting the ESD compression checkbox from the toolbar. This will prompt you stating:
ESD (Electronic Software Download) image format facts:
- Supported only for Windows 8 or newer setup
- Read-only. To edit the image, it needs to be converted back to WIM
- Compression requires a lot of resources
Continue past this prompt by clicking OK. Now we will be activating the ISO creation feature, to do this select the Create ISO checkbox in the toolbar. Now you must navigate to your desired ISO file destination and click Save. As you save you will be prompted again asking you to label the ISO image. For this tutorial we will be labeling it Windows 10 Unattended, but you can name it whatever you would like. After the ISO image has been labeled click OK.
Now we have configured all settings needed to create our Windows 10 Unattended installation media, we are ready to create our installation media. Do this by clicking Process in the toolbar.
This will trigger another prompt urging you to:
"Windows Defender was detected, it is recomended to disable it for a much faster processing.
Disable Windows Defender?"
We will be selecting No, but if you prefer to disable it, feel free to do so.
Now you will be propmted for the last time asking:
"Start applying all of pending changes."
Select Yes, and the application tasks will begin to load. This process can take up to 15 minutes, but once it is completed you should be left will working Windows 10 Automated ISO image which you can now burn to a disk or flash drive.
In this tutorial we will provide you with the essential skills required to create and personalize an unattended Windows 10 installation disk. You will have the ability to create a fully customized and personalized installation disk ready for deployment, with availability of many features, such as Windows and driver updates not normally included in a generic Windows 10 installation.
Along with these additional customization's, you will learn to embed all necessary Windows installation information that would normally prompt for user intervention, onto the Windows 10 installation disk. This information will be imputed automatically upon installation, giving you a more personal install without the annoying prompts waiting for your attention. The final product will be a fully customized system ready for use upon completion.
What will you need…
In order for this to be accomplished we will be using system imaging software called NTLite, which is offered free with limitations and Home, Professional, and Business Licenses. For full capability in this tutorial it is recommended that you have at least a Home License but unattended installation can still be accomplished with the free version, we will clarify the capabilities available or not throughout this tutorial.
You can download NTLite here:
https://www.ntlite.com/download/
Also you will need Windows 10 installation media, backup the contents of your installation media to a safe location, specifically the sources folder. This folder contains the image file that we will be mounting in a moment.
Mounting a Windows 10 image file
The first step in creating a fully automated Windows 10 installation disk is loading the image file that we just mentioned. On the toolbar click add and select Image File (WIM, ESD, SWM) now follow the path to the sources folder on your Windows 10 installation media and select the install.esd image file to be mounted.
After you have added the install.esd image file, you must load the image file in order for a complete mount. To do this, simply right click on the image you will be mounting and click load.
As you select load you will receive a prompt warning you to backup the image file beforehand because in order for the image file to be loaded it must be converted to the standard WIM format. Be sure to back up these files, if you haven't already and proceed with the conversion.
The image file will be converted from install.esd to install.wim and the file will begin to load. This process requires a bit of patience, depending on the speed of your system this can take anywhere between 10 - 30 minutes. Upon completion your image file will be fully mounted and you can now begin to customize your image file.
Image File Components
The next five sections of this tutorial are not required in the creation of an automated installation disk, but are very useful features included with NTLite, if you find you would like to utilize them, otherwise you can skip to the Image File Unattended section.
Here in the Components tab you can free up space on your RAM and storage drive memory by removing unwanted and/or unnecessary components included with a generic windows installation. If you prefer to install only the minimum of required components, from the toolbar select Expand all followed by Uncheck all, and this will remove all components that are not necessary on your system.
If you have no license and are using the free option, in this segment you are only granted basic component removal, with a Home License you have full component removal and can leave yourself with only the bare minimum of required components. For purposes of this tutorial we will not be removing any components as this not necessary to achieve unattended installation, and recommended for advanced users only.
Image File Features
Here you can implement features not regularly included in a generic Windows 10 installation, again for this tutorial we will be going with the default selection, but you can make whatever changes you would like. Although without a Home License you are restricted from enabling or disabling the majority of the features included. If you have a Home License make whatever changes you would like, if you do not it is best to stick with the default and continue to the Updates tab.
Image File Updates
This tab in NTLite can integrate Windows updates into your installation saving you from extra time spent after the installation process. To do this first run an install without integrated updates, and make a list of all important Security Updates available. These downloads can be found by KB number from Microsoft Download Center or by using Windows Updates Downloader.
Image File Drivers
This section is recommended but not necessary as were the last three sections. Here we are given the ability to integrate drivers into our installation media, this will cut back a lot of time in post-installation maintenance. If you have a Home License this process can be made very simple, by clicking Import host on the toolbar. After a short moment your current systems drivers will be integrated into the image file. This may include a lot more than necessary, so you can click Exclude unused and this will remove any unused drivers.
If you do not have a Home License the Import host function will be disabled and you will have to add your drivers manually, do so by downloading your desired drivers beforehand, and save them in the same folder, at the very least network drivers are recommended. Once you have your drivers prepared, click the Add drop-down button in the toolbar, and then select Folder with multiple drivers. Now navigate to the location of the drivers folder and click Select Folder.
Image File Tweaks
Another but final optional section of this tutorial, here you can make adjustments or "tweaks" to your installation media, again cutting back dramatically on post-installation maintenance. The settings will already be applied, mainly to default so if you would like to make further adjustments, feel free. For this tutorial we will be going with the default and moving forward.
Image File Unattended
Finally, we have reached the section where unattended installation will actually be applied. So first off there will be a few differences between the free version and the Home License, if you are using the free version you will be restricted from the Auto-fill feature which enables the user to auto-fill all settings needed for an unattended installation, with settings currently configured on the host machine. In any case, whether you are using a licensed version or not, we will still be going through the unattended settings so we can gain an understanding of what each setting executes.
Before we can begin we must gain access to the Unattended settings, this can be done by selecting Enable in the toolbar. Once Unattended mode has been enabled many new settings will become available to you. We can skip past the Generalize section, and configure settings by selecting the drop down box on the far right, adjacent to each setting.
OOBE (Final install options):
Windows language:
Shell options:
Out-of-box experience:
As you select True on Skip local account setup you are prompted with a warning that states:
"When skipping local account wizard, make sure to add at least one local account or be part of the domain, in order to be able to login."
So in order for our installation to be fully automated we must create a local account, Click OK and then select Add local account from the toolbar.
This will activate the Add local account wizard, where we will be adding two local accounts; first of which will be the built-in Administrator.
Select both Enable built-in Administrator and Auto-logon this user, enter your desired password and click OK.
Now select Add local account once again,
This time leave both boxes unselected, add to Administrators group, chose desired name and password and click OK.
(Second user is not necessary but highly recommended for security and safety purposes)
Now, once these local accounts have been created we will continue where we left off.
Out-of-box experience:
Specialize:
WindowsPE (Setup options):
Windows localization:
Setup UI Language:
Windows setup options:
Report installation statistics:
Dynamic update:
User settings:
* Note: settings may vary between user, choose accordingly.
At this point we have nearly all of our unattended settings configured, all that is left to do is create our partitions. To do this click Individual partition in the toolbar and this will open the Individual partition wizard. Configure the following settings and click OK.
Individual partition:
Disk:
Partition:
*Note: Adjust to your system volume, for this tutorial the drive is 20GB equivalent to 20000MB.
Now Lastly before we move on to the last segment we must apply two last settings in this section. From the toolbar, first select Copy to boot image and then Dual architecture.
It is not required but if you prefer to integrate a workgroup or domain to join upon installation, continue through this segment, if not feel free to skip ahead. Click Join network on the toolbar to open the Network Join wizard. Now enter your workgroup name or domain information and click OK.
Network Join (Optional):
Workgroup:
Domain:
Apply
After all has been configured to your preference, all that is left to do is apply these settings, convert back to .esd and create an ISO image.
So first we will enable conversion from WIM back to ESD by selecting the ESD compression checkbox from the toolbar. This will prompt you stating:
ESD (Electronic Software Download) image format facts:
- Supported only for Windows 8 or newer setup
- Read-only. To edit the image, it needs to be converted back to WIM
- Compression requires a lot of resources
Continue past this prompt by clicking OK. Now we will be activating the ISO creation feature, to do this select the Create ISO checkbox in the toolbar. Now you must navigate to your desired ISO file destination and click Save. As you save you will be prompted again asking you to label the ISO image. For this tutorial we will be labeling it Windows 10 Unattended, but you can name it whatever you would like. After the ISO image has been labeled click OK.
Now we have configured all settings needed to create our Windows 10 Unattended installation media, we are ready to create our installation media. Do this by clicking Process in the toolbar.
This will trigger another prompt urging you to:
"Windows Defender was detected, it is recomended to disable it for a much faster processing.
Disable Windows Defender?"
We will be selecting No, but if you prefer to disable it, feel free to do so.
Now you will be propmted for the last time asking:
"Start applying all of pending changes."
Select Yes, and the application tasks will begin to load. This process can take up to 15 minutes, but once it is completed you should be left will working Windows 10 Automated ISO image which you can now burn to a disk or flash drive.
