Automating Windows 10 Professional Installation using XML Script

Author: Antonio June Veva Jr.

Date: February 11, 2025

Time: 9:31 PM

Welcome to this step-by-step guide where I walk you through installing Windows 10 Professional using the autounattend.xml script to automate the entire process! If you’ve been looking to streamline your Windows installation or set up multiple systems without manually entering information, this guide is perfect for you.

Step 1: Perform a Clean Installation of Windows

Before diving into the actual installation, you’ll need a bootable thumb drive with Windows 10 Professional on it. If you're not sure how to create one, don't worry! I’ve included a video in the ADDITIONAL UPDATES section, where I go over creating the bootable USB drive using RUFUS. Check it out!

Once you’ve prepared the bootable thumb drive, and the autounattend.xml script (version 1.4), here’s what you need to do next:

Access BIOS Settings:

1. Turn on your computer and immediately press F2 (or DEL/Delete, depending on your system).
2. In BIOS, navigate to System Information and confirm that the primary hard drive is detected. This is crucial, as proceeding without it could erase data from your USB thumb drive.

Configure Boot Settings:

1. Go to Boot Sequence, select UEFI Mode, and click Apply.
2. Adjust the Date and Time settings in BIOS and make sure they are retained. If the date keeps resetting, you might need to replace your CMOS battery.

Set SATA Configuration:

1. Navigate to System Configuration and select SATA Operation.
2. If you’re using only one drive, select AHCI. If you have multiple drives, select RAID. If you experience the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), it's likely due to the settings being set to RAID when they should be AHCI. Don’t worry, just switch it back to AHCI!

Apply Changes and Boot from USB:

1. Apply the settings and exit BIOS.
2. Press F12 to access the boot menu (for Dell systems), and select the UEFI USB option to boot from your thumb drive.

Step 2: Let Autounattend.xml Do the Work

Once you boot into the installation, the autounattend.xml script will automatically take over and handle the rest of the process. This script will:

• Automatically configure your system settings
• Handle partitioning and drive formatting
• Set up the necessary user accounts
• Install the operating system without requiring you to manually input details

You’ll see the script working behind the scenes—don’t touch anything or interrupt it! This process can take a bit of time, but the results will be completely automated and well worth the wait.

By using the autounattend.xml script, you’re saving tons of time and effort during the Windows 10 installation process. Whether you're setting up one computer or an entire fleet, automation is the key to efficiency.

Watch the Video Tutorial:

The video above is part of a course and is intended solely to demonstrate a clean installation using the autounattend.xml script. At the end of the video, you will hear me say, "I'll see you in the next lesson." However, to clarify, there is no next video after this.

If you want more content like this, check out the full course, which I have completely revised to reflect the latest updates to the autounattend.xml script. Click the link below to access the full course for FREE! in the BONUS section.

Bonus: Additional Updates and Customization

For further customization, like:

• How To Create a Bootable Thumb Drive for Windows 10 Professional with RUFUS
• Download autounattend.xml

If you have any questions or need further clarification, feel free to leave a comment below. I'm here to help!