How to bypass the 'OS Edition Selection' page in a Windows unattended setup?

When conducting an unattended setup of Windows, an IT administrator is faced with a number of options to ensure that the installation process goes as smoothly as possible. One of the most important steps is the selection of the OS edition to be installed. This is an important step since it ensures that the correct version of Windows is installed for the system’s hardware and software requirements.

Unfortunately, the OS edition selection page can cause problems for an IT administrator if it is not configured properly. Fortunately, there are ways to bypass this page and ensure that the correct version of Windows is installed.

The first way to bypass the OS edition selection page is by using a customized answer file. An answer file is a text file that can be used to specify certain installation options. For instance, an answer file can be used to specify the OS edition to be installed. To create an answer file, an IT administrator needs to use the Windows System Image Manager (SIM). SIM is a tool that is included with the Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK).

Once the answer file has been created, it can be used to bypass the OS edition selection page. To do this, the answer file must be placed on a USB flash drive and then inserted into the system during the installation process. The answer file will then be read and used to automatically select the desired OS edition.

Another way to bypass the OS edition selection page is by using a specialized installation disc. A specialized installation disc is a disc that includes a pre-set answer file. This answer file can be used to specify the OS edition that should be installed. To use this method, an IT administrator needs to obtain a specialized installation disc and then insert it into the system during the installation process. The answer file on the disc will then be read and used to automatically select the desired OS edition.

Finally, an IT administrator can bypass the OS edition selection page by using a customized boot image. A boot image is a file that is used to boot the system into the Windows installation process. To create a customized boot image, an IT administrator needs to use the Windows Deployment Services (WDS). WDS is a tool that is included with the Windows Server operating system.

Once the customized boot image has been created, it can be used to bypass the OS edition selection page. To do this, the boot image must be placed on a USB flash drive and then inserted into the system during the installation process. The boot image will then be read and used to automatically select the desired OS edition.

In conclusion, an IT administrator can bypass the OS edition selection page by using a customized answer file, a specialized installation disc, or a customized boot image. Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages. However, by using one of these methods, an IT administrator can ensure that the correct version of Windows is installed for the system’s hardware and software requirements.