Built a Windows Server 2022 ISO yesterday - this odd message comes up during setup...

S

Sonicmojo

Member
Getting ready to roll out a new Windows Server 2022 build. I copped all the settings (manually of course) from a very well tuned Windows 10 22H2 build I did recently - using screencaps of all the key settings.

Since this is Server - I do not remove any components, services or big stuff - focused mainly on more minor annoyances like Explorer settings, desktop icons and the like. Hiding things on the taskbar etc. Just getting the UI nice and clean.

Now I also have included an AutoAttend script as well - which has data in the following sections:

1725824370521.png

And this

1725824394845.png

But when I run this ISO into a brand new VM - I get this about 10 seconds into setup:

1725824430906.png

In both areas (1+2) that relate to ProductKey in the two screen caps above - both areas are blank by default.

There IS no product key in this ISO - nor will there ever be one in this section. If/when I activate - I do that manually from within the OS itself.

Have I inadvertantly kicked off some mysterious process here. I have examined this specific NT Lite template with my Win 10 one and these sections are identical. My Windows 10 isos never ask for or complain about a product key not being available.

What am I missing here?

Sonic.
 
I can't remember if the problem is either Server Edition requires a generic installation key, or Setup is finding an OEM product key in your PC's BIOS which doesn't match Server.

Add the generic install key in the WinPE pass.

Operating system editionKMS Client Product Key
Windows Server 2022 StandardVDYBN-27WPP-V4HQT-9VMD4-VMK7H
Windows Server 2022 DatacenterWX4NM-KYWYW-QJJR4-XV3QB-6VM33
Windows Server 2022 Datacenter: Azure EditionNTBV8-9K7Q8-V27C6-M2BTV-KHMXV
 
Garlin

Much appreciated!

Bigger question for you tho - is Server 2022 actually supported under NT Lite?

Now I know it is based on the 21H2 base release - but the reason I ask is that even in my modest screen caps above - especially for the unattended setup - there are a boat load of "settings" that I made - that simply do not exist in a Server 2022 setup routine. Like Skip EULA, Skip Microsoft Account setup, Network location 'Work" and so on.

And it gets even more strange when you get right into the Setting area in NT Lite - things like:

"Explorer\NoPinningStoreToTaskbar"
"Explorer\HideSCAMeetNow"

or

Desktop - News and Interests Taskbar Widget

None of these things are actually part of Server yet they can be altered and messed with.

In my second pass of this test iso - AFTER I removed the entire Unattend section to troubleshoot this ProductKey issue - Setup then started to complain and throw errors on this News and Interests Widget - which was easily bypassed - but errored none the less.

But just as I bypassed that one - I had another more serious error - a "Waiting for TrusterInstaller" screen - that basically killed the whole thing. All I had was the spinning wheel for 5-10 minutes - clearly "trustedinstaller" was not coming in to save the day.

I guess I am wondering why these "non-settings" are included here - when - if touched at all (without knowing their impact) can completely kill and install in it's tracks.

Appreciate any insight into this.

S
 
Windows Server versions of the same build as above, same applies plus excluding support for Components removal and Feature Configurations. Applies to:
 Windows Server 2025 (24H2)
 Windows Server 2022 (21H2 & 22H2)
 Windows Server 20H2
 Windows Server 1909
 Windows Server 2019 (1809)
 Windows Server 2016 (1607)
 Windows Server 2012 R2 (based on 8.1)
 Windows Server 2008 R2 and SBS2011 (based on 7SP1)
Click to expand...

Server is a different product than a Retail (desktop) Windows. You shouldn't be removing things, because Server is designed to run with integrity and by attempting to remove things other than pre-defined Features on Demand, you're undermining the point of Server.

I have no idea what your preset looks like. Don't use Server unless you're intending to host real server apps (SQL, Exchange, or IIS). Switch to Enterprise or LTSC instead.
 
garlin said:
Server is a different product than a Retail (desktop) Windows. You shouldn't be removing things, because Server is designed to run with integrity and by attempting to remove things other than pre-defined Features on Demand, you're undermining the point of Server.

I have no idea what your preset looks like. Don't use Server unless you're intending to host real server apps (SQL, Exchange, or IIS). Switch to Enterprise or LTSC instead.
Click to expand...
Garlin

Understood - however IF Server 2022 is fully supported by NT Lite - it should present a list of options that are specific to it and only it - and not have low hanging fruit related to a retail Win 10 ISO hanging around ripe for the picking - like using the UnAttend options - which if one does not know every obscure setting here - ultimately the death of the basic setup routines.

And I am not removing anything other than pre-defined features on demand. I do know about the integrity factor. I am however very interested in locking down the privacy, perform the usual visual tweaks, some Explorer stuff and other options that a server simply does not need.

Finally - I am choosing Server - because I am building a dedicated server and do need server apps, Hyper-V, server level file sharing etc for this build.

I will take another run at this starting clean and post back with my progress.

S
 
Garlin

Was able to get a very nice (fast) Server edition going with just the right amount of tweakage - without breaking anything this time.

Appreciate the tip on the Product Key - worked perfectly.

Cheers

S
 
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