Using Windows 11 24H2 causes "The specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted."

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jcams

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I'm trying to build an image using the W11 24H2 iso downloaded directly from Microsoft. After installing Windows to the partition, and using unattended mode, Windows will spend about 15 minutes saying "Please wait..." before eventually getting to a login screen that shows the Administrator account, but says "the specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted." Also, I can't do anything from here because when I try to click any of the buttons on the bottom of the screen, there's a popup about LogonUI.exe having an error or something like that (I don't have it in front of me anymore).

This has happened whether I'm trying to join a domain or not, but only with 24H2, I didn't have any issues with 23H2. I've tried changing multiple settings around in the Unattended page and Apply page, including using a local admin account, but I just can't get it to work. I've attached a picture of the error and hopefully the correct .XML file that is usually asked for.

Mod Note: Redacted user password in preset.
 

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This specific preset doesn't have any customizations, other than Unattended mode. But your source image is 26100.3476 (March 2025).
Is the ISO a clean download, or was there a previous edit to it?
 
It's a clean download from here in the "Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices" section. It's been downloaded multiple times just in case there was a corruption with the download, but same thing every time. A month or so ago I also tried using an iso from the "Create Windows 11 Installation Media" section (had to download from home instead of work, though), but same thing.

Also, there were some changes made to settings in the Configure section, Post-Setup, one Registry file in the Registry section, drivers, and Updates in the Integrate section. Last month, I think I changed something in Features, but nothing now.
 
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You're using the %SERIAL% hostname feature in Unattended mode. What is your PC's S/N (don't list the specific letters or numbers, but does it have a series of dashes or special characters in the sequence?).

Something like my S/N looks like "XXXX-XXXX". It could be the derived hostname is causing Windows to be confused.
 
No, they're Dell computers which are generally all 7 characters long of numbers and letters, no dashes or other special characters. Using pretty much the same exact configuration (for serial name or other sections) with 23H2 doesn't cause an issue, it's just 24H2.
 
You're on the free edition, but you can try reverting WinPE to the old Setup client using a .reg file.

1. Load boot.wim (Windows Setup).

2. From the Registry screen, add this file:
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup]
"CmdLine"="cmd /c start /min wpeinit && \\sources\\setup"

3. Apply changes, and create a new ISO.

If you have the licensed edition of NTLite, this is a simple Settings change.
 
Sorry for the delay, it's been busy. I loaded boot.wim from the 24H2 iso, added the Registry file and created a new iso. Should I then be loading that new iso and selecting Windows 11 Pro to re-set up the software and stuff I was trying to add before? Or can I load the preset I had?
 
You can just modify the existing boot.wim from your current ISO project, without starting over. The point is to test a simple change.
 
I didn't do anything else after attempting your steps. I took the iso created from there, applied it to a flash drive via Rufus, and it's working perfectly! The iso contained all of the software and customizations I had applied previously. Thank you so much, garlin!
 
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