Windows 10 is not reading unattend.xml from C:\Windows\Panther

Question

Hello all,

I am in the process of creating an automated installer flash drive for Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 x64. To achieve this, I created an Autounattend.xml file for the setup component, which works as expected.

Now the issue that I face, is that I am able to create the unattend.xml file which is (from all the research and info I have done and have) supposed to be in the C:\Windows\Panther directory for the Windows OOBE component. For some reason, the OOBE is not reading this file and waits on the country selection screen for user input. I've tried to use both the base WIM from the ISO as well as a custom-built WIM, to no avail.

Below is the Unattend.xml file:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>  
<unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">  
    <settings pass="oobeSystem">  
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-International-Core" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">  
            <InputLocale>en-US</InputLocale>  
            <SystemLocale>en-AU</SystemLocale>  
            <UILanguage>en-US</UILanguage>  
            <UILanguageFallback></UILanguageFallback>  
            <UserLocale>en-AU</UserLocale>  
        </component>  
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">  
            <AutoLogon>  
                <Password>  
                    <Value>F@kep4ss</Value>  
                    <PlainText>false</PlainText>  
                </Password>  
                <Enabled>true</Enabled>  
                <LogonCount>1</LogonCount>  
                <Username>Administrator</Username>  
            </AutoLogon>  
            <OOBE>  
                <HideEULAPage>true</HideEULAPage>  
                <HideLocalAccountScreen>true</HideLocalAccountScreen>  
                <HideOEMRegistrationScreen>true</HideOEMRegistrationScreen>  
                <HideOnlineAccountScreens>true</HideOnlineAccountScreens>  
                <HideWirelessSetupInOOBE>true</HideWirelessSetupInOOBE>  
                <ProtectYourPC>3</ProtectYourPC>  
            </OOBE>  
            <UserAccounts>  
                <AdministratorPassword>  
                    <Value>F@3p4ss</Value>  
                    <PlainText>false</PlainText>  
                </AdministratorPassword>  
            </UserAccounts>  
        </component>  
    </settings>  
    <cpi:offlineImage cpi:source="wim:d:/wims/win10ent_ltsc2019_x64_base.wim#Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019" xmlns:cpi="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:cpi" />  

For the life of me, I cannot see what I am missing, if anything. Does the file look good and is it supposed to be placed in C:\Windows\Panther?

Answer 1

Hello,
Are you running setup from within Windows or booting to WinPE to run setup?
Answer file locations may vary depending on how setup is started
link to docs on answer file locations

Answer 2

Never heard of an unattended file being put in the c:\Windows\Pather folder.

If you are looking to create a oobe.xml, there are several locations to put the file - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/how-oobexml-works. Your installer answer file should already have oobe settings already in place. Just in case: https://www.annabooks.com/Articles/Articles_IoT10/Windows-10-IoT-E-Workflow-Rev1.5.pdf

If you are looking to create a sysprep unattended file. The file can be placed anywhere in the file system. You just make the call:

Sysprep.exe /generalize /oobe /shutdown /unattend:<path>myunattend.xml

Answer 3

Hi，
After reading your post, it seems you have no problem with autounattend.xml, but your unattend.xml is a little bit different with others in which Line 12 to Line 20, maybe you should adjust the sequence, put Line 21 to Line 28 <OOBE> prior to <auto logon>, additively, most of other unattend.xml don’t have auto logon.
And you should add Line38 </unattend> in the end of the xml.
As far as I know, the unattend.xml should be Saved in C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep folder during which you boot into audit mode with your customized image and then add the unattend.xml. After that use C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\sysprep.exe /generalize /oobe. Finally, when booted from install media(usb), press SHIFT + F10 or winPE, open Command Prompt, use dism to capture the sealed image.

Here is the detailed link for you to create autounattend.xml and unattend.xml.
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/96683-create-media-automated-unattended-install-windows-10-a.html
lease Note: Since the websites are not hosted by Microsoft, the links may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this information.

Hope this can help you
If your need further help, be free reply to me at your convenience.

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