Boot from a DVD
The simplest way to install Windows on new hardware is to start directly from the Windows product DVD by using an answer file that is named Autounattend.xml. This method provides flexibility when network access is not available or when you are building only a few computers. You can use this same method to build an initial image in an image-based deployment scenario, typically known as a master installation.
By using the answer file, you can automate all or parts of Windows Setup. You can create an answer file by using Windows System Image Manager (Windows SIM). For more information, see Create or Open an Answer File.
Prerequisites
To complete this walkthrough, you need the following:
An answer file on removable media (CD or DVD-ROM) or a USB flash drive. The answer file must be named Autounattend.xml. The answer file must be located at the root of the media.
A Windows product DVD.
To install Windows from the Windows product DVD
Turn on the new computer.
Note This example assumes that the hard disk drive is blank.
Insert both the Windows product DVD and the removable media that contains your answer file into the new computer.
Note When you use a USB flash drive, insert the drive directly into the primary set of USB ports for the computer. For a desktop computer, this is typically in the back of the computer.
Restart the computer by pressing the CTRL+ALT+DEL keys. Windows Setup (Setup.exe) starts automatically.
By default, Windows Setup searches at the root of a drive and other locations, such as removable media, for an answer file that is named Autounattend.xml. This occurs even if you do not explicitly specify an answer file. For more information, see “Implicitly Searching for an Answer File” and “Implicit Answer File Search Order” in Windows Setup Automation Overview.
After the Setup program is finished, validate that Windows applied all customizations, and then reseal the computer by using the sysprep command together with the /generalize option.
The Sysprep tool removes all system-specific information and resets the computer. The next time that the computer starts, your customers can accept the Microsoft Software License Terms and add user-specific information.
Optional: To automatically run the Sysprep tool after the installation, set the Microsoft-Windows-Deployment | Reseal component setting in your answer file (Autounattend.xml) as follows:
ForceShutdownNow = true, Mode =OOBEOptional: To run the Sysprep tool manually from a running operating system, type the following at a command prompt:
c:\windows\system32\sysprep /oobe /shutdown
For more information, see Sysprep (System Preparation) Overview.
Next Steps
This walkthrough illustrates a basic unattended installation that requires no user input. You can manually add more customizations to the newly installed operating system. If this is a master installation or an installation that you will use for image deployment, shut down the computer. Then, capture an image of the installation by using the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool or any third-party imaging software.
Important You must run the sysprep /generalize command before you move a Windows image to a new computer by any method. These methods include imaging, hard disk duplication, and other methods. Moving or copying a Windows image to a different computer without running the sysprep /generalize command is not supported, even if the new computer has the same hardware configuration. Generalizing the image removes unique information from the Windows installation so that you can apply that image on different computers.
The next time that you boot the Windows image, the specialize configuration pass runs. During this configuration pass, many components perform actions that must occur when you boot a Windows image on a new computer. For more information, see How Configuration Passes Work.
Related topics
Windows Setup Technical Reference
Use a Configuration Set with Windows Setup
Boot Windows to Audit Mode or OOBE