Powershell Tricks to Compress Images for Sharing in Windows 11

on
0

How to Install Multiple Programs Automatically with autounattend.xml

on

💻 How to Install Multiple Programs Automatically with autounattend.xml

Setting up a fresh Windows installation? Installing multiple programs one by one can be tedious and time-consuming. 😩 But there’s a smarter way to automate everything during the setup itself—by leveraging the power of autounattend.xml!

Let’s dive in and see how to automate the installation of multiple programs during Windows deployment. 🛠️

How to Install Multiple Programs Automatically with autounattend.xml

🚀 What is autounattend.xml?

autounattend.xml is a configuration file used by Windows Setup for unattended installations. It holds the answers to every prompt you’d normally click through manually, including:

✅ Disk configuration
✅ Language and region
✅ Product key
✅ User accounts
✅ … and yes, running commands to install extra programs!

This makes it a powerful tool for automated deployments in business, IT labs, or for personal use. 🏢

⚡️ Why Use autounattend.xml for Multiple Programs?

Here’s why automating installations with autounattend.xml is a game-changer:

🌟 Time-Saving – No need to sit and click “Next” repeatedly!
🌟 Consistency – Every machine is set up exactly the same way.
🌟 Error-Free – No missed steps or misconfigured apps.
🌟 Silent Installs – Programs can be installed quietly in the background.

It’s perfect if you’re creating a golden image or want to roll out PCs in bulk. 🏆

📝 Basic Structure of autounattend.xml

The autounattend.xml file uses XML syntax and is broken into configuration passes:

🔹 windowsPE – Pre-installation tasks
🔹 offlineServicing – Apply updates or drivers offline
🔹 generalize – Sysprep phase
🔹 specialize – Hardware-specific tasks
🔹 oobeSystem – Final customization during first boot

The magic happens mostly in the oobeSystem or specialize passes. Let’s see how to add program installations! ⚡️

🏗️ Setting Up autounattend.xml for Multiple Programs

To install programs during setup, we use the FirstLogonCommands section of the XML.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1️⃣ Prepare Your Programs

📦 Collect installers: Grab the .exe or .msi files of the programs you want to install.

📦 Silent switches: Find the command-line switches that allow silent installation.
For example:

  • /S or /silent for .exe installers

  • /quiet for .msi installers

These switches make sure the installers don’t pop up any windows! 💡

2️⃣ Create a Setup Folder

On your installation media (like a USB stick), create a folder:

$OEM$\$1\Install

Copy all your installers (and any scripts) into this Install folder.

3️⃣ Edit autounattend.xml

Open your autounattend.xml in a text editor. Under the oobeSystem pass, add the FirstLogonCommands section like this:

<FirstLogonCommands>
  <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
    <Order>1</Order>
    <CommandLine>cmd /c start /wait C:\Install\Program1.exe /S</CommandLine>
    <Description>Install Program 1</Description>
  </SynchronousCommand>
  <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
    <Order>2</Order>
    <CommandLine>cmd /c start /wait C:\Install\Program2.msi /quiet</CommandLine>
    <Description>Install Program 2</Description>
  </SynchronousCommand>
  <!-- Add more as needed -->
</FirstLogonCommands>

Here’s what’s happening:

🟢 <Order> – Sets the order of installations.
🟢 <CommandLine> – Runs the installer silently.
🟢 <Description> – Helpful note for each task.

4️⃣ Save and Test!

💾 Save your autounattend.xml at the root of your USB or ISO.
🖥️ Boot from the media and watch the magic happen—your programs will install automatically during Windows setup! 🌈

🧪 Adding More Complexity: Scripts and Batch Files

If you’re installing many programs, it’s easier to use a batch file:

1️⃣ Create install.bat in C:\Install\:

@echo off
start /wait C:\Install\Program1.exe /S
start /wait C:\Install\Program2.msi /quiet
start /wait C:\Install\Program3.exe /S
:: Add more lines as needed
exit

2️⃣ In your autounattend.xml, run the batch file:

<FirstLogonCommands>
  <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
    <Order>1</Order>
    <CommandLine>cmd /c C:\Install\install.bat</CommandLine>
    <Description>Install All Programs</Description>
  </SynchronousCommand>
</FirstLogonCommands>

This simplifies your XML—only one command to maintain! 👌

🛠️ Troubleshooting Common Issues

🔧 Program not installing?
Double-check silent switches. Not all installers support /S—check their documentation!

🔧 Installer not found?
Paths in XML are absolute. Use C:\Install\ or %SystemDrive%\Install\ rather than relative paths.

🔧 Setup hangs or reboots mid-install?

  • Use start /wait so each program finishes before the next.

  • Put heavy apps later in the order to avoid timeouts.

🔧 Installer UAC prompts?
The FirstLogonCommands runs in admin context—no UAC should pop up, but make sure your installers are trusted.

💡 Pro Tips for Power Users

💡 Use DISM for driver injection: In the offlineServicing pass, use DISM commands to slipstream drivers.

💡 Registry tweaks? – Add them under FirstLogonCommands too, e.g. reg add commands!

💡 PowerShell support: You can run PowerShell scripts via:

<CommandLine>powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File C:\Install\script.ps1</CommandLine>

PowerShell gives you more power and cleaner syntax. ⚡️

💼 Use Case Example

Imagine you’re setting up a new office PC. Here’s what your autounattend.xml might include:

✅ Chrome
✅ 7-Zip
✅ Office suite
✅ Slack
✅ Custom VPN

All installed during Windows setup—no extra work! 🏢

🔥 Going Beyond: Tools to Supercharge Deployment

These tools help craft or manage your autounattend.xml:

🔹 Windows System Image Manager (WSIM) – Part of Windows ADK; visual editor for XML.
🔹 Ntlite – Great for customizing Windows images, including app installs.
🔹 Chocolatey – Add Chocolatey commands to your batch file for even easier deployments!

Example:

choco install 7zip -y
choco install vscode -y

🛡️ Security and Maintenance

  • 📦 Store your installers in a secure location.

  • 🔒 Check installer hashes (SHA256) to ensure integrity.

  • ♻️ Keep your autounattend.xml updated as software versions change.

🚀 Final Steps: Validate and Deploy

Before you roll out your image to many PCs:

✅ Test on a virtual machine (like Hyper-V)
✅ Watch the log files: C:\Windows\Panther\UnattendGC for any errors
✅ Update any stale installers or switches

Once it’s polished, you’re ready to deploy at scale! 🏆

💡 Key Takeaways

✅ autounattend.xml can automate the boring stuff—no more clicking through installations manually.
✅ Silent switches are the key to no-interaction installs.
✅ Use batch files to keep XML clean and manageable.
✅ Tools like WSIM and Chocolatey make it even easier!
✅ Test, test, test—then deploy confidently. 🚀

✨ Wrapping Up

Using autounattend.xml to install multiple programs automatically is one of the best-kept secrets for Windows deployments. It’s not just a time-saver—it’s a way to ensure every system is consistent, secure, and ready to go.

🎯 Whether you’re an IT admin setting up dozens of laptops or a tech enthusiast refreshing your home PC, mastering this tool puts you ahead. 💪

Comments

Post a Comment