Cannot disable Windows Features with AutoUnattend.xml

[Mvp77]

I created an answer file in Windows SIM.
When I install system disabled features are still there.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<!--Windows 7 HOMEPREMIUM Audit Mode-->
<unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">
    <servicing>
        <package action="configure">
            <assemblyIdentity name="Microsoft-Windows-Foundation-Package" version="6.1.7601.17514" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="" />
            <selection name="InboxGames" state="false" />
            <selection name="MediaPlayback" state="false" />
            <selection name="MSRDC-Infrastructure" state="false" />
            <selection name="Printing-XPSServices-Features" state="false" />
            <selection name="SimpleTCP" state="true" />
            <selection name="TabletPCOC" state="false" />
            <selection name="TelnetClient" state="true" />
            <selection name="WindowsGadgetPlatform" state="false" />
            <selection name="Xps-Foundation-Xps-Viewer" state="false" />
.....

Did anyone try to change <package action> value?
I don't know... setting remove or stage instead of configure...??

 

[Mvp77]

Well, great Forum!
Three threads in a month, zero answers.

 

[Mvp77]

Finally found an answer here: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh825129.aspx.
Only way to disable features is to apply unattend.xml to wim.
Did anyone try to configure hidden packages in unattended file?

 

[adds]

Hi Mvp,

Just wanted to say thanks for updating the thread with the solution. I also made a unattend file with packages to exclude some features and the articles on Microsoft's website are terrible for people who havent actually done this type of stuff before, and dont explain the whole process fully in one place in my opinion so i had no idea where this file is meant to be loaded or stored.

Just for clarification, is this meant to be loaded using the sysprep tool? As again, this isn't made clear on the MS article.

Thanks
Adam

 

[Mvp77]

Hi Mvp,

Just wanted to say thanks for updating the thread with the solution. I also made a unattend file with packages to exclude some features and the articles on Microsoft's website are terrible for people who havent actually done this type of stuff before, and dont explain the whole process fully in one place in my opinion so i had no idea where this file is meant to be loaded or stored.

Just for clarification, is this meant to be loaded using the sysprep tool? As again, this isn't made clear on the MS article.

Thanks
Adam

Hello,
sorry for the delay , but I was no longer following this thread.
Anyway, someone might seek information on the subject so it seems appropriate to add something.
My problem is that I tried to install the wim with imagex, I didn't apply the xml file to the image and the xml wasn't read.
The procedure can also be applied to the normal installation, not only to Audit Mode.
If you're installing from DvD-ISO you have to place the AutoUnattend.xml file in the DvD-ISO root.
The best way to create your xml file is certanly to use Windows System Image Manager that you can install with Windows AIK.

Example:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<!--Windows 7 HOMEPREMIUM 64-bit-->
<unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">
    <servicing>
        <package action="configure">
            <assemblyIdentity name="Microsoft-Windows-Foundation-Package" version="6.1.7601.17514" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="" />
            <selection name="InboxGames" state="false" />
            <selection name="MediaPlayback" state="false" />
            <selection name="MSRDC-Infrastructure" state="false" />
            <selection name="Printing-XPSServices-Features" state="false" />
            <selection name="SimpleTCP" state="true" />
            <selection name="TabletPCOC" state="false" />
            <selection name="TelnetClient" state="true" />
            <selection name="WindowsGadgetPlatform" state="false" />
            <selection name="Xps-Foundation-Xps-Viewer" state="false" />
            <selection name="MediaCenter" state="false" />
            <selection name="OpticalMediaDisc" state="false" />
            <selection name="Chess" state="false" />
            <selection name="FreeCell" state="false" />
            <selection name="Hearts" state="false" />
            <selection name="Internet Games" state="false" />
            <selection name="Internet Backgammon" state="false" />
            <selection name="Internet Checkers" state="false" />
            <selection name="Internet Spades" state="false" />
            <selection name="Minesweeper" state="false" />
            <selection name="More Games" state="false" />
            <selection name="PurblePlace" state="false" />
            <selection name="Shanghai" state="false" />
            <selection name="Solitaire" state="false" />
            <selection name="SpiderSolitaire" state="false" />
            <selection name="Internet-Explorer-Optional-amd64" state="false" />
        </package>
        <package action="configure">
            <assemblyIdentity name="Microsoft-Windows-LocalPack-AU-Package" version="6.1.7601.17514" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="" />
            <selection name="LocalPack-AU" state="false" />
        </package>
        <package action="configure">
            <assemblyIdentity name="Microsoft-Windows-LocalPack-CA-Package" version="6.1.7601.17514" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="" />
            <selection name="LocalPack-CA" state="false" />
        </package>
        <package action="configure">
            <assemblyIdentity name="Microsoft-Windows-LocalPack-GB-Package" version="6.1.7601.17514" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="" />
            <selection name="LocalPack-GB" state="false" />
        </package>
        <package action="configure">
            <assemblyIdentity name="Microsoft-Windows-LocalPack-US-Package" version="6.1.7601.17514" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="" />
            <selection name="LocalPack-US" state="false" />
        </package>
        <package action="configure">
            <assemblyIdentity name="Microsoft-Windows-LocalPack-ZA-Package" version="6.1.7601.17514" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="" />
            <selection name="LocalPack-ZA" state="false" />
        </package>
        <package action="configure">
            <assemblyIdentity name="Microsoft-Windows-HomePremiumEdition" version="6.1.7601.17514" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="" />
            <selection name="Microsoft-Windows-Anytime-Upgrade-Package" state="false" />
            <selection name="Microsoft-Windows-Printing-XPSServices-Package" state="false" />
            <selection name="OpticalMediaDisc" state="false" />
        </package>
    </servicing>
</unattend>

With this xml file you can disable all that packages.

P.s.
The information provided by Microsoft are often wrong or completely misleading.