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Windows XP Unattended Installation

Written: August 26, 2002
Written by: Jeramie Lorson (1gigkid)
 

In this article I am going to provide you with a basic example of how to perform an unattended installation of Windows XP. This will get you started in customizing the way Windows XP is setup. If you choose to further customize the way Windows XP is setup, there is plenty of documentation on the internet to help you with some of the more advanced tools available. I will provide you with some informational links throughout this article to possibly answer any other questions you might have.

An Unattended Installation is a hands-free method of installing Windows XP. This is convenient for system administrators, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), value-added resellers (VARs), users who install Windows XP on many computers or who frequently install Windows XP on the same computer.

I will show you step by step how to supply Windows XP Setup with all of the information that you the “End User” is prompted to provide during a typical Windows setup in a scripted file called the answer file. The answer file basically fills in the text portion of the setup and can even setup options that you would normally spend most of your day doing after a “typical” or normal Windows install. Even if you do not know the first thing about scripting, Microsoft has generously included the tools you need on your Windows XP CD. If you’re using Windows 2000, you can follow this guide also. The tools are pretty much the same.

First of all we need to make sure you are able to perform an unattended installation from a “Bootable CD”. To perform an unattended installation from a bootable CD, your System’s BIOS must adhere to the El-Torito non-emulation specification. If your system’s BIOS is less than a few years old, it more than likely supports this specification.

For information about this specification, go to Microsoft’s Knowledge Base Article - Q167685

Here is what you are going to need:

1.                 At least one computer - One that has a Windows XP Operating System already in place.

2.                 You’re Windows XP CD - To retrieve the tools you are going to need.

3.                 One formatted floppy disk - This is where we will put the finished answer file.

 *Note - If you do not have a floppy drive, I will provide you with an alternative method later in the article.

Next Page: Beginning the Process

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