Windows 10: Windows could not apply the unattend answer file's<Disk configuration> setting>

I built a brand new PC from the ground up, and upon moving my old harddrive to the newmachine I'm met with the need to reinstall windows.The process won't get any further than copying files because of the following message:Windows could not apply the unattend answer file's<DiskCongfiruation> setting.Upon looking I can't find anyone with this problem except virtual machine builders which is, to be clear, not me. I have no clue how to proceed and any help, preferably step-by-step, would be a godsend.

:)

 

Problem with Windows 10 unattended answer file?




Hej Ken. Din svarfil antyder att du är också en Finlandsvensk. Välkommen till Ten Forums!






Hi Ken. Your answer file suggests that you are a fellow Finland Swede. Welcome to Ten Forums!

That error is because there's no generic product key or MAK key in your answer file. It is obligatory in autounattend.xml answer file, the one that takes care of first phase of Windows setup, partitioning and installing.

Please see step 3.9 in following tutorial for how to add key in answer file: Create media for automated unattended install of Windows 10

 

Windows cannot parse the answer file's <diskconfiguration> setting

Paul,

One of my all time favorite tutorials from Kari:

Create media for automated unattended install of Windows 10

This tutorial is geared towards creating a reference system and completely customizing it by modifying preferences, installing apps, etc. and making an image, then using an answer file to automate installation of that image

If you simply want to create an answer file to completely install a fresh copy of windows without all those customizations or the need for creating a reference system, do this:

Follow the tutorial up to and including step 3.18. In the early portion of the tutorial, Kari references a reference system. Simply ignore those references. Jump to section 4 and follow the steps through and including 4.8 but note these exceptions:

1) DO NOT start a new answer file. Keep adding the items listed in this section to the answer file that you were already configuring in section 3.
2) In step 4.3, perform all the actions noted BUT DO NOT SET the option called "CopyProfile".
3) In step 4.4, one of the optional componets that you can set is a cutom logo. Note that if you are not creating a reference system, you will need to copy the logo to C:\Windows\System32 manually after Windows is installed.
4) Once you have completed step 4.8, jump back to step 3.19 and complete the steps to the end of section 3.

You now have a complete working autounattend.xml answer file. Create your Windows media with this file in the root (let me know if you need instructions). If you boot from that media, Windows will install 100% automatically without need for any user interaction.

CAUTION! Label your media!! If you boot from this accidentally, it will wioe out your HD and start installing a Windows without ever prompting you. Yes, you have to press a key to boot from this media, but if you forget that you have an automated installation, then bad things will happen!

More tutorials:

This next one is another great tutorial from Kari. This one is like a "quick start" where he provides a pre-built answer file and all you need do is modify a few items:

Apply unattended answer file to Windows 10 install media

That should be enough to get you started, and I'm hesitating in dropping the really big stuff on you, but if you want something really comprehensive and in depth, let me know. This stuff isn't for the faint of heart *Smile.

 

Windows 10 Upgrade fails - unattend answer file error

I have tried upgrading to Windows 10 several times with no luck.

During the second phase of the installation of Windows 10, features and settings, just after the first reboot an error pops up.

The error:

Windows could not parse the unattend answer file for pass [specialize]. The settings specified in the answer cannot be applied. The error was detected while processing settings for component [MS_Windows_Shell_Setup].

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Once the error message is acknowledged, the previous version of Windows is restored (in my case Windows 8.1).

After the restore the following error appears once I have logged onto Windows.

The error:

0xC1900101 - 0x30018

Installation failed in the FIRST_BOOT phase with an error during SYSPREP operation.

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As many have suggested, I have removed my second IDE drive before starting the upgrade. I have unplugged all USB connections, removed antivirus, and updated all drivers.

Suggestions welcome.