The <UserData> Element
The <UserData> Element
The <UserData> element is required in every answer file. <UserData> can contain the following elements for specifying user settings during Setup. For details on any of these elements, click a name in the list below.
| Element | Description |
| ComputerName | Specifies the computer name. |
| FullName | Specifies the user’s full name. This element is required. |
| Organization | Specifies an organization’s name. |
| ProductKey | Specifies the Product Key for each unique installation of Microsoft® Windows®. |
| AdminPassword | Sets the administrator account password. This element is required. |
Sample <UserData> Element
<UserData>
<!--This section contains elements for pre-populating user information and personalizing the user experience-->
<ComputerName Value="MYCOMPUTER" />
<FullName Value="Pat Coleman" />
<Organization Value="Woodgrove Bank" />
<ProductKey Value="12345-ABCDE-12345-ABCDE-12345" />
<AdminPassword Value="TG33hY" StrongPassword="No" EncryptedPassword="No" />
</UserData>
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The <ComputerName> Element
Syntax:
<ComputerName Value="
computer_name
"/>
computer_name is the name of the computer on which the product will be installed.
A valid name:
- Must have a length of 15 characters or less
- Must include at least one letter
- Can include letters (A-Z), numbers (0-9), and hyphens
- Cannot include special characters, spaces, or periods
Example:
<ComputerName Value="MYCOMPUTER” />
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The <FullName> Element
Syntax:
<FullName Value="
full_name
” />
full_name is the full name of the registered user. The name can be up to 64 characters long, and can include any character supported by the language specified in <UserInterface>.
The <FullName> element is required within each <UserData> element.
Example:
<FullName Value="Pat Coleman” />
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The <Organization> Element
Syntax:
<Organization Value="
organization_name
” />
organization_name is the registered organization. The name can be up to 64 characters long, and can include any character supported by the language specified in <UserInterface>.
Example:
<Organization Value="Woodgrove Bank” />
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The <ProductKey> Element
Syntax:
<ProductKey Value="
xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
” />
“xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx” is the 25-character code that appears on the yellow sticker on the back of your Windows CD holder. Each x is either an alphabetic character or a number. The hyphens are required.
Example:
<ProductKey Value="12345-ABCDE-12345-ABCDE-12345” />
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The <AdminPassword> Element
Syntax:
<AdminPassword Value="
password
” StrongPassword="
Yes|No
” EncryptedPassword="
Yes|No”/>
password is required. password is case-sensitive and may contain as many as 127 characters.
StrongPassword="Yes " forces the user to enter a strong password. A strong password:
- Does not contain the user name.
- Is at least six characters long.
- Contains characters from three of the following four groups:
| Description | Examples |
| Lowercase letters | a, b, c,... |
| Uppercase letters | A, B, C,... |
| Numerals | 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| Symbols (all characters not defined as letters or numerals) | ` ~ ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _ + -={ } | [ ] \ : " ; ' < > ? , . / |
StrongPassword="No" allows a weak password.
EncryptedPassword="Yes” means the password has been obfuscated; EncryptedPassword="No” means it has not. Always set EncryptedPassword="No" unless you are using an obfuscated password.
The <AdminPassword> element is required in each <UserData> element.
Example:
<AdminPassword Value=“TG33hY” StrongPassword="No” />
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