Use-WindowsUnattend

Applies an unattended answer file to a Windows image.

Syntax

Use-WindowsUnattend
   -UnattendPath <String>
   [-NoRestart]
   -Path <String>
   [-WindowsDirectory <String>]
   [-SystemDrive <String>]
   [-LogPath <String>]
   [-ScratchDirectory <String>]
   [-LogLevel <LogLevel>]
   [<CommonParameters>]
Use-WindowsUnattend
   -UnattendPath <String>
   [-NoRestart]
   [-Online]
   [-WindowsDirectory <String>]
   [-SystemDrive <String>]
   [-LogPath <String>]
   [-ScratchDirectory <String>]
   [-LogLevel <LogLevel>]
   [<CommonParameters>]

Description

The Use-WindowsUnattend cmdlet applies an unattended answer file (Unattend.xml) to a Windows image.

If you are updating device drivers using an unattended answer file, you must apply the answer file to an offline image and specify the settings in the offlineServicing configuration pass.

If you are updating packages or other settings using an unattended answer file, you can apply the answer file to an offline or online image. Specify the settings in the offlineServicing configuration pass.

Examples

Example 1: Apply an answer file to a mounted image

PS C:\> Use-WindowsUnattend -Path "c:\offline" -UnattendPath "c:\test\answerfiles\myunattend.xml"

This command applies an answer file, myunattend.xml, to the Windows image that is mounted to c:\offline.

Example 2: Apply an answer file to the running operating system

PS C:\> Use-WindowsUnattend -Online -UnattendPath "c:\test\answerfiles\myunattend.xml"

This command applies an answer file, myunattend.xml, to the online Windows image.

Parameters

-LogLevel

Specifies the maximum output level shown in the logs. The default log level is 3. The accepted values are as follows:

  • 1 = Errors only
  • 2 = Errors and warnings
  • 3 = Errors, warnings, and information
  • 4 = All of the information listed previously, plus debug output
Type:LogLevel
Aliases:LL
Accepted values:Errors, Warnings, WarningsInfo
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:True
Accept wildcard characters:False

-LogPath

Specifies the full path and file name to log to. If not set, the default is %WINDIR%\Logs\Dism\dism.log. In Windows PE, the default directory is the RAMDISK scratch space which can be as low as 32 MB. The log file will automatically be archived. The archived log file will be saved with .bak appended to the file name and a new log file will be generated. Each time the log file is archived the .bak file will be overwritten. When using a network share that is not joined to a domain, use the net use command together with domain credentials to set access permissions before you set the log path for the DISM log.

Type:String
Aliases:LP
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:True
Accept wildcard characters:False

-NoRestart

Suppresses reboot. If a reboot is not required, this command does nothing. This option will keep the application from prompting for a restart or keep it from restarting automatically.

Type:SwitchParameter
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:True
Accept wildcard characters:False

-Online

Specifies that the action is to be taken on the operating system that is currently running on the local computer.

Type:SwitchParameter
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:True
Accept pipeline input:True
Accept wildcard characters:False

-Path

Specifies the full path to the root directory of the offline Windows image that you will service. If the directory named Windows is not a subdirectory of the root directory, WindowsDirectory must be specified.

Type:String
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:True
Accept pipeline input:True
Accept wildcard characters:False

-ScratchDirectory

Specifies a temporary directory that will be used when extracting files for use during servicing. The directory must exist locally. If not specified, the \Windows\%Temp% directory will be used, with a subdirectory name of a randomly generated hexadecimal value for each run of DISM. Items in the scratch directory are deleted after each operation. You should not use a network share location as a scratch directory to expand a package (.cab or .msu file) for installation. The directory used for extracting files for temporary usage during servicing should be a local directory.

Type:String
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:True
Accept wildcard characters:False

-SystemDrive

Specifies the path to the location of the BootMgr files. This is necessary only when the BootMgr files are located on a partition other than the one that you are running the command from. Use -SystemDrive to service an installed Windows image from a Windows PE environment.

Type:String
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:True
Accept wildcard characters:False

-UnattendPath

Specifies the location of the unattend.xml answer file to apply to the image.

Type:String
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:True
Accept pipeline input:True
Accept wildcard characters:False

-WindowsDirectory

Specifies the path to the Windows directory relative to the image path. This cannot be the full path to the Windows directory; it should be a relative path. If not specified, the default is the Windows directory in the root of the offline image directory.

Type:String
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:True
Accept wildcard characters:False

Inputs

String[]

Microsoft.Dism.Commands.ImageObject

Outputs

Microsoft.Dism.Commands.ImageObject