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Windows 11 autounattended.xml installation / Taskbar and default apps

Anonymous
2025-03-01T20:57:51+00:00

Hello,

Today I have been trying to set up a Windows 11 installation ISO with autounattend.xml file to be able to quicky install many machines.

Everything seems to be working fine but I run into 2 minor problems, and I think maybe some of you might have a solution for that:

  1. I wanted to change the taskbar layout, to add Google Chrome to the taskbar instead of Microsoft Edge since the company is using Google Workspace. Below is an example of such XML file.

Sadly that does not work, I think maybe because I install the applications using winget after first sign-in to the admin account. Settings and explorer are applied, just the Chrome link is missing.

  1. I want to set up Chrome as the default browser. That is not really a big issue if it is not possible, but could save some clicks on 20+ PC’s. I tried to change the registry via Powershell using the commands below, but that also wasn’t a succes. PS C:\Users\Admin> $registryPath = "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Associations\UrlAssociations" PS C:\Users\Admin> PS C:\Users\Admin> # Set Chrome for HTTP and HTTPS PS C:\Users\Admin> Set-ItemProperty -Path "$registryPath\http\UserChoice" -Name ProgId -Value ChromeHTML Set-ItemProperty : Attempted to perform an unauthorized operation. At line:1 char:1
    • Set-ItemProperty -Path "$registryPath\http\UserChoice" -Name ProgId - ...
    •         + CategoryInfo          : PermissionDenied: (ProgId:String) [Set-ItemProperty], UnauthorizedAccessException
        + FullyQualifiedErrorId : System.UnauthorizedAccessException,Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.SetItemPropertyCommand
    PS C:\Users\Admin> Set-ItemProperty -Path "$registryPath\https\UserChoice" -Name ProgId -Value ChromeHTML Set-ItemProperty : Attempted to perform an unauthorized operation. At line:1 char:1
    • Set-ItemProperty -Path "$registryPath\https\UserChoice" -Name ProgId ...
    •         + CategoryInfo          : PermissionDenied: (ProgId:String) [Set-ItemProperty], UnauthorizedAccessException
        + FullyQualifiedErrorId : System.UnauthorizedAccessException,Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.SetItemPropertyCommand

I would appreciate any suggestions, thank you all in advance and have a wonderful day!

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Install and upgrade

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-03-04T07:18:37+00:00

    Hi Kuba Pietrzyk1

    Welcome to Microsoft Community.

    Based on your description, I understand that you are setting up Windows 11 installation ISOs via the autounattend.xml file to install machines in bulk. However, you want to change the taskbar layout to add Chrome to the taskbar, but it doesn't work. I understand your feelings very well!

    Please allow me to explain that the forum and section we are currently in focuses on issues related to the use of systems with short response times.

    I would be more than happy to help you, but your problem is related to corporate environments and batch-executed scripts, and there are corresponding forums and sections, as well as corresponding experts who can provide you with more targeted and specialized advice.

    There were originally Windows Server and Windows Client for IT Pros sections in the current forums, but both have recently migrated to Microsoft Learn, so you'll need to take the trouble to post your question in Microsoft Learn. (Originally, questions related to enterprise environments and batch-executed scripts were handled by the technical staff in those sections.)

    As you can see in the picture:

    Image

    Here is the link to the forum (Windows - Microsoft Q&A) where you can copy the question and post it directly to the appropriate forum and section (I have selected the correct forum and section for you).

    Image

    Please note: I have selected the English language section for you, as the English language section gets more visitors per day and you may be able to receive a reply sooner.

    I sincerely hope that after contacting the relevant authorities, your issue will be resolved as soon as possible.

    Thank you for your understanding, I really appreciate it!

    I wish you all the best!

    Best Regards

    Arthur Sheng | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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