Perform an unattended install of Windows Server 2008?

Question

How can I perform an unattended install of Windows Server 2008? Is there an answer file mechanism? Is it possible to load the answer file automatically from the network or include it in the ISO?

I'm mostly going to use this in a virtualization environment, but I really don't want to build any RIS infrastructure.

Solution

It looks to be the same as a Vista Unattended installation (see http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc721929(WS.10).aspx). From what I can see you're basically building an answer file and then booting a WindowsPE environment and starting setup with that answer file specified.

Microsoft makes a big to-do of the automated installation kit (AIK) infrastructure, but it looks like you can get by w/ a lot less than that: http://www.windowsreference.com/windows-server-2008/unattended-installation-of-windows-server-2008/

Some addt'l reference: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc722187(WS.10).aspx

Comments

[Aaron Weiker]

Using 2003 and 2008 it's really easy to deploy WDS and lay down a new image in about 15-30 minutes depending on your hardware. I did it at home just to make it easier for me to create VM's and redeploy my developer desktop.

[Massimo]

I wanted to post your second link, too, but the link it contains to a sample answer file is broken.

[Spence]

That's true. Their command-line, though, to start the unattended install is accurate and not as easy to find in Microsoft documentation.