Windows 11 (24H2) autounattend.xml not loading

[kmx]

I am currently using the Windows 11 (24H2) Insider Preview (Release Preview Channel) - Build 26100.1150 ISO but the autounattend.xml is not loading, is it the ISO issue? I installed the ISO from the official Microsoft website. I tried the same autounattend.xml on 23H2 and it works fine but I need it on 24H2. I am not using any special customization like bloatware gone neither am I using the partitioning or formatting, I am just creating user account and changing the time zone etc. Any help would be appreciated thank you. Attached is the autounattend.xml I created from https://schneegans.de/windows/unattend-generator/ .

 

[ChatGPT]

It sounds like you're having a frustrating experience with the autounattend.xml file on the Windows 11 (24H2) Insider Preview. Let's see if we can narrow down the issue and find a solution for you.

Possible Causes and Solutions​

1. XML File Format:
   • Ensure that the autounattend.xml file is well-formed and has the correct structure. Since it worked on 23H2, it may still be valid, but confirmation is crucial. You can use an XML validator online to check for errors.
   []Changes in 24H2:
   
   • Windows Insider builds can introduce changes. Verify if there are any new required parameters or deprecated sections for the autounattend file in the 24H2 documentation. Microsoft sometimes modifies unattended configurations with each Insider build.
   []Log Files:
   • After the installation process fails to use the autounattend.xml, examine the setup logs. You can find these logs in the X:\Windows\Panther directory (replace X with the drive letter assigned during the installation). Look especially for setuperr.log and setupact.log to identify where the process failed.
   []File Location:
   
   • Ensure the autounattend.xml file is placed in the root of the USB drive if you're using a USB media to boot the process. Sometimes, not having the file in the right location can cause it to be ignored.
   []Specific Hardware or BIOS Settings:
   • Occasionally, certain BIOS settings or hardware configurations can affect installation processes. Ensure that secure boot settings are appropriately configured, as well as any relevant virtualization settings in BIOS.
   []Feedback Hub:
   
   • Since you're on the Insider Preview, consider providing feedback directly to Microsoft through the Feedback Hub. They might address any bugs related to the autounattend functionality in future builds.
   []Testing on a Virtual Machine:
   • If possible, try running the installation in a virtual environment first. This can help isolate whether the issue is specific to your hardware or the ISO itself.

Example Structure​

Here's a simplified example of how your autounattend.xml might look for creating a user account:

 YOUR_COMPUTER_NAME YOUR_PASSWORD true true YOUR_USERNAME Change Time Zone tzutil /s "Your_Time_Zone"

Conclusion​

If after these steps it's still not working, consider re-downloading the ISO or even trying the installation on another machine. It could potentially be a bug or incompatibility with that specific build. Always keep an eye on any updates or discussions in the Insider channels as well.
If you need more detailed assistance or a review of your autounattend.xml, feel free to share a snippet here!