Device drivers installation via Unattend.xml

~OSD~ 2,176 Reputation points
2024-02-19T13:10:22.3833333+00:00

https://www.windows-noob.com/forums/topic/584-how-can-i-install-drivers-using-windows-sim/ I am following the above guide and 200% sure that my unattend.xml file is created correctly and drivers exists in the target directory as well. But the results are not as I was expecting, no drivers were installed and there is no specific log related to I could that I could found. Any any what might has goes wrong? Or what is the "other" procedure to install drivers via unattend.xml file?

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  1. XinGuo-MSFT 17,931 Reputation points
    2024-02-20T08:53:52.17+00:00

    Hi,

    The log file location will depend on the point of when the installed failed:

    Before the installation starts in WinPE Pass – x:\windows\panther – WinPE only - Use Shift+F10 to open command window and run notepad.exe

    After installation starts – c:$Windows.~BT\Sources\panther - Use Shift+F10 to open command window and run notepad.exe

    After installation is completed – c:\windows\panther

    Log files to review:

    Setupact.log – master log file for the whole installation process.

    Setuperr.log – smaller version of Setupact.log, but only includes the errors. This should be the first log to look at.

    Cbs_unattend.log - this log records the package setup and answer file processing.

    Or what is the "other" procedure to install drivers via unattend.xml file?

    We could also follow the official method of installing drivers through a UNC path.

    https://video2.skills-academy.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/add-device-drivers-to-windows-during-windows-setup?view=windows-11

    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?> 
    <unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">
       <settings pass="windowsPE">
          <component name="Microsoft-Windows-PnpCustomizationsWinPE" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
             <DriverPaths>
                <PathAndCredentials wcm:keyValue="1" wcm:action="add">
                   <Credentials>
                      <Domain>Fabrikam</Domain> 
                      <Password>MyPassword</Password> 
                      <Username>MyUserName</Username> 
                   </Credentials>
                   <Path>\\server\share\drivers</Path> 
                </PathAndCredentials>
             </DriverPaths>
          </component>
       </settings>
    </unattend>
    
    
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  2. ~OSD~ 2,176 Reputation points
    2024-02-20T13:17:20.48+00:00

    @XinGuo-MSFT Thanks for your reply. My answer file is exactly as you provided with the difference to have a local path.
    Setuperr.log & Setupact.log have been reviewed already, and nothing suspicious was found. Cbs_unattend.log >> What is the location of this file?

    Before the installation starts in WinPE Pass – x:\windows\panther – WinPE only - Use Shift+F10 to open command window and run notepad.exe >> How interesting .... Once the image is deployed, and PC is turned on for the first time, will the setup create a temp PE location "X:"?


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