Including some commands in an unatttend file

[balubeto]

Hi

Running the sysprep /generalize /oobe /reboot /unattend:c:\Unattend.xml command in Audit mode, how do I create an answer file that allows to:

1) include a partition in the system protection of Windows 7 SP1.

2) rename and put a password to the Administrator account.

3) permanently delete some system directory (even hidden ones).

4) eliminate this answer file when it has finished its execution.

Thanks

Bye

 

[Dwarf]

I've not used this feature myself, but see if anything here helps: Windows 7: how to use Autounattend.xml and deploy the OS? | Networknet.nl

 

[WinOutreach2]

Most of what you have listed cannot be done via the Answer File. The Answer File does not affect partitioning, does not support renaming the Administrator account (though it does support setting a password), cannot delete directories (except via script which would be external to the Answer File), and does not support deleting itself once complete (again, except via script).

From what you’ve described in this thread and others, you really ought to take a look at the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT). MDT will allow you to automate the partitioning and has customizable support for actions throughout the deployment phases including post deployment scripts. Ideally, you would delete whatever directories you did not desire while customizing the system in Audit Mode, you can also use the answer file to create a user with Administrator rights and set a password for that user in the Answer File, though it will not affect the automatically disabled Administrator account. To perform that task, the proper method would be to perform the task via Local Policy or Group Policy. MDT also handles the location and cleanup of Answer Files and other deployment related files.

MDT is really the route to go considering the complexity of your requirements and the time you have in this thus far, MDT will take a bit to learn, but it will automate every part of the process once it is configured and provide limitless scalability for future deployments. A good place to start would be Automated Installation to Upgrade to Windows 7: Step-by-Step Guide from the Springboard Series on TechNet. There are a wide variety of additional resources including many step by step guides and detailed explanations of all of the tools and utilities available from Microsoft for deployment on the Deliver Page for Windows 7 on the Springboard Site on TechNet.

 

[Captain Awesome]

Here is a tutorial that I created relating to developing a simple autounattend.xml file.
This uses WAIK and OSCDIMG to create a custom Windows bootable ISO file with the answer file in it.

Let me know if this is helpful for you.
-Chris H.