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Inserting Product Key

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7 replies

by rsabatchi

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How do you insert a product key to a Windows OS so that it will automatically install without asking for it?

7 replies

by timthetoolman

Hi,

A slight variation on what you're asking for is to use Norton Ghost to create an image of a pre-installed machine and use that to "build" your system(s) from.

You can even produce a bootable CD with the Ghost image on it that automaticallyinstalls when booted.

The only issue you'll have is supplying the correct drivers for all types of machines - but this would normally happen as part of its initial boot following the build. Just make sure you include the driver CAB file as part of the image.

AND... to answer your question... Its possible to perform a build with an answer file. I've never done it but I expect that it would include the product key.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q250609

...for details.

(remove spaces from the above URL)

Cheers,
Tim.

by mdelyea

In win9x, copy the setup files to a folder on the hard drive, edit msbatch.inf in that directory like so
; MSBATCH.INF
;
; Copyright (c) 1995-1999 Microsoft Corporation.
; All rights reserved.
;

[BatchSetup]
Version=3.0 (32-bit)
SaveDate=04/23/99

[Version]
Signature = "$CHICAGO$"

[Setup]
ProductKey="XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX"

You could then burn this folder onto a CDR and use that for installing. There are also many other things you can do with msbatch.inf to simplify installation. Check the following link
http://netsys.syr.edu/micnet/win95-tech/msbatch.html (remove any spaces)

by rgrowcock

Another possible solution is to use Sysprep and specify the Product key there. This only works with Win2000 though, not sure which version of OS you are talking about.

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