Below is the overview since I'm having a hard time getting actual responses to my questions
Below is a sample autounattend.xml answer files. Comments at the top of the file tell you what it does.
In simple terms, it will bypass the Win 11 requirements. The entire rest of Windows setup will still be the manual installation experience with the exception that Win Pro will be selected.
Note that this sample uses a generic Pro edition key, replace with a home key if desired.
To use it:
Simply drop it into the root of your Windows installation media or ISO. That is all. No other files need to be copied or moved.
As an alternative, you could use this file without modifying your Windows image IN ANY WAY AT ALL. Simply burn it to a separate ISO or drop it on another disk. So long as that disk is accessible during Windows installation, Windows will find it and use it even if it is on the root of a different disk that your installation media or image.
NOTE: This is very flexible. With a small tweak, you can have the answer file also create a local user account, bypassing the need to logon with a Microsoft account or to have an Internet connection during setup. Works for both Home and Pro editions.
XML:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<!--
Notes about this answer file:
The purpose of this answer file is to simply bypass the Windows 11 system requirement checks.
It includes a Windows 10 / 11 Pro key.
It includes settings to bypass Windows 11 system requirements.
This answer file can be used with both Windows 10 and 11. The settings to bypass Windows 11
system requirement checks will have no effect on Windows 10.
END OF NOTES
-->
<unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">
<settings pass="windowsPE">
<component name="Microsoft-Windows-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
<ImageInstall>
<OSImage>
<InstallFrom>
<Path>\install.wim</Path>
</InstallFrom>
</OSImage>
</ImageInstall>
<UserData>
<ProductKey>
<Key>VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T</Key>
</ProductKey>
<AcceptEula>true</AcceptEula>
</UserData>
<RunSynchronous>
<RunSynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
<Order>1</Order>
<Path>reg add HKLM\System\Setup\LabConfig /v BypassTPMCheck /t reg_dword /d 0x00000001 /f</Path>
</RunSynchronousCommand>
<RunSynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
<Order>2</Order>
<Path>reg add HKLM\System\Setup\LabConfig /v BypassSecureBootCheck /t reg_dword /d 0x00000001 /f</Path>
</RunSynchronousCommand>
<RunSynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
<Order>3</Order>
<Path>reg add HKLM\System\Setup\LabConfig /v BypassRAMCheck /t reg_dword /d 0x00000001 /f</Path>
</RunSynchronousCommand>
<RunSynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
<Order>5</Order>
<Path>reg add HKLM\System\Setup\LabConfig /v BypassCPUCheck /t reg_dword /d 0x00000001 /f</Path>
</RunSynchronousCommand>
<RunSynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
<Order>4</Order>
<Path>reg add HKLM\System\Setup\LabConfig /v BypassStorageCheck /t reg_dword /d 0x00000001 /f</Path>
</RunSynchronousCommand>
</RunSynchronous>
</component>
</settings>
</unattend>
