I'm getting an error message while trying to install Windows 10

357mag

Member
I used NTLite to make a custom Windows 10 install disk but when I use the disk I keep getting an error message. This is what the message says:

Windows could not parse or process the unattend answer file for pass (specialize). The settings specified in the answer file cannot be applied. The error was detected while processing settings for component (Microsoft Windows - shell - setup).

So what do I need to do to fix this?

All I did in NTLite was I told it to skip the local account setup and I entered in the Windows license key. I don't believe I even removed anything.
 
When you make an ISO, unless you disable the backup option in Apply -- NTLite auto-saves a copy of the preset in the ISO's root folder.
It should still be there.
 
Here is an XML file called autounattend.

Mod note: removed password and personal product key
 

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This looks alright, did you modify any other W10 settings? Generally it's a good idea to save a copy of the preset, or the auto-save file to know what's been edited.
 
I tried your example (Administrator-only with password). It works, just don't touch:
SkipMachineOOBE​
SkipUserOOBE​
 
Okay I will try it again. I have also been having a problem with activating my license. I have had to burn through some of my online activations. I enter the license.dat file and then I enter the serial number and the program says:

Offline license restoration failed
double-check your code
or reactivate online

I copied and pasted the serial number so I did not make a mistake there. I don't know what the problem is, but I only have I think one online activation left.
 
If you're using the latest NTLite version, it's switched over to a server-based scheme and shouldn't consume activations. If you're on the old version, the License.dat needs to be saved from before Windows re-installation.

If you're still having licensing problems, contact [email protected].
 
Well I did exactly as you recommended. I did not touch skip machine or skip user and I still got the same error message. Beats me what's wrong. I think I may just have to install Windows 10 from the original disc if we can't get this figured out.

As far as my problem with activation, I am not using the latest version of NT Lite. I am still using the License.dat file from when I got the program.
I wrote an email to support about this.
 
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Did you remove setupcomplete.cmd? or was it empty? can you double check that? if setupcomplete.cmd was missing. create it in $oem$ folder or setup>scripts folder. otherwise you will get specialize errors.
 
Don't have a clue as to what you are talking about. This is so advanced. Where are you talking about? Are you talking about the NT Lite interface or are you referring to some folder in the Windows 10 Installation Files?

I never removed anything. I copied the Windows disc and placed the contents in a folder called Windows 10 Installation Files. I then loaded that folder into the NT Lite interface.
 
Is this DVD from a PC company like Dell or HP? or a Retail copy? OEM copies are nearly identical to Retail, except they run sysprep to install OEM branding and support tools. That might be why you're getting an error.

In that case, you should download a clean W10 ISO using Media Creation Tool.
 
Okay I will try downloading an ISO from Microsoft, but I will tell you that I tried several times to make an install disk using the ISO I downloaded from Microsoft and every time I tried to boot from it all I saw was a steady, blinking cursor.

But I will load this image into NT Lite and give it a go and see what happens.
 
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