Looking to automate your Windows 11 installation? Here's how to craft your own autounattend.xml file using the Windows Unattend Generator — no scripting required.
Creating a fully unattended installation of Windows 11 can save you time and effort — especially when setting up multiple machines or customizing your setup to the last detail. The Windows Unattend Generator simplifies this task by offering a web-based form that builds your answer file for you. Here's a breakdown of the steps you'll encounter:
1. Region & Language Settings
Choose Windows display language, keyboard layouts, and home location.
You can automate this or allow interactive selection during setup.
Tip: Holding Ctrl lets you choose multiple processor architectures (e.g., x64 and x86).
2. Setup Preferences
Bypass Windows 11 requirements and skip the internet check during installation.
3. Computer Name
Set a custom name or allow Windows to generate one automatically.
4. Compact OS
Let Windows decide whether to enable Compact OS mode.
5. Time Zone
Choose a time zone manually or let Windows set it automatically.
6. Disk Partitioning & Formatting
Choose between manual partitioning or an automated setup (be cautious: disk 0 will be wiped).
Customize GPT/MBR layout, EFI and recovery partition sizes, or provide a custom diskpart script.
7. Windows Edition
Select the edition you want installed (e.g., Home, Pro).
8. User Accounts
Create local accounts with specific usernames, passwords, and groups.
Alternatively, add accounts interactively during setup.
9. Account Policies
Set password expiration and lockout rules (defaults are usually fine).
10. File Explorer Tweaks
Control visibility of files, taskbar search box, and more.
11. System Tweaks
Toggle options like disabling Fast Startup and enabling long paths.
12. Virtual Machine Tools
Add support for VirtualBox, VMware, or VirtIO guest additions.
13. Wi-Fi Setup
Configure Wi-Fi settings, skip them, or handle them interactively.
14. Express Settings
Choose to disable all, configure manually, or use Microsoft's defaults.
15–16. Lock Keys & Personalization
Usually best to stick with defaults unless specific customization is required.
17. Remove Bloatware
Select unwanted pre-installed apps to remove.
18. Start Menu Customization
Recommended: remove all tiles and pins for a clean slate.
19. Windows Defender Application Control
Default option is recommended unless advanced security settings are needed.
20. Finalizing & Downloading
Click "Download .xml file" to save your customized answer file.
For standard use, name it autounattend.xml and place it in the root of a bootable USB.
For manual setup, name it notautounattend.xml and call it from Command Prompt:
setup.exe /NoReboot /Unattend:D:\notautounattend.xml
This method avoids automated formatting and allows custom install parameters.
Whether you're a system admin streamlining deployment or a power user customizing every step, using a web-based unattend generator can turn a tedious task into a structured, fast process. Just fill in the settings, grab your XML, and boot your installer — Windows takes care of the rest.