Problem installing W11 Home... "Windows cannot read the <productkey> setting from the unattend answer file"

As the title suggests, I'm having an issue installing Windows.

This is my first PC build so it's a completely fresh install on a brand new SSD.

I previously had an issue where installing via the Windows Media download on Microsoft.com wasn't giving me the option to install Windows 11 Home, it would only allow me to Install Windows 11 Pro (this was during installation on the "Select The Operating System You Want" page)
So, I used the Windows 11 Disc Image (ISO) and used RUFUS to create a USB. This solved my issue and gave the option to install Windows Home - all good!

But no, now, after selecting the correct OS, ticking the agreement box, selecting language, etc, I get the "Windows cannot read the <productkey> setting from the unattend answer file" message as soon as it begins installing.
I've looked everywhere but the majority of fixes involve Virtual Machines (??).

To help, I've included my PC Spec's.

MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WI-FI
Intel i5-14600kf
32Gb DDR5 T-Force Delta 6400 RAM
Samsung 980Pro 1TB SSD
RTX 4070 Super GPU

If I had hair, I'd have pulled it all out by now, so any help would be VERY much appreciated.

Presumably rufus created the .xml file. What is in it ?

you can make one using something like this and compare to the one rufus made

When you put the keycode in the answer file, perhaps you included a space before or after?

In the xml file, it should look similar to this

<ProductKey>W269N-WFGWX-YVC9B-4J6C9-T83GX</ProductKey>

Can you open the xml file and look? Right click on it in File Explorer...Open with...Notepad

If you get the option "I don't have an installation key", use that and select the correct version Home or Pro. After installation Windows should either activate automatically (you have a digital license) or you should be able to provide a valid key to activate.

A couple of quick questions:

1) What version of Windows are you installing? Be specific and include the source if you can. For example, "I am installing Windows 11 24H2 26100.560" or "I am installing Windows 23H2 using an ISO image downloaded using the Media Creation Tool".

2) Did you add an answer file of your own or is this simply media created using Rufus with nothing else added or modified?

I have similiar problem on the older HP Desktop. When this message is displayed, when I click OK or close the window - installation is stopped.
1. I am installing Windows 11 23H2 version from Download Windows 11
2. I am using Rufus 4.5 version
3. Media created using Rufus - just ticked no TPM
4. Even copied unattend.xml file to the USB root directory
I am attaching the file.

Why use an unattend.xml file? I would try without it and manually reply to any questions. When asked for a Windows key, either type it manually or select I don't have a key and then the proper version (Home or Pro). To create a local user stay disconnected from the internet (don't connect to the Wi-Fi or the LAN cable) and at first screen press SHIFT+F10 to open a Command Prompt. Execute the command oobe\bypassnro which will unhide the "I don't have internet" option and restart the computer. Upon restart go though the initial configuration (Region, Language etc) and at the network screen click on "I don't have internet". This will warn you that you will be missing some "features", ignore that and proceed with "limited functionality" to create a local account. Of course you are not missing anything, after login to the local account you can use a Microsoft account to use the extra features, but be careful not to convert your local account to Microsoft (use for this app only). For anything else ask us or consult the relevant threads.

Unattend.xml - it is/was one of the possibilities to install Win11 without TPM 2.0 on older equipment.

ItMightBeLoud said:

Unattend.xml - it is/was one of the possibilities to install Win11 without TPM 2.0 on older equipment.

Click to expand...

Make your life easier. Just use Rufus to create the USB flash drive. It will detect it is a Windows 11 ISO and on clicking to begin it will prompt you if you want to bypass compatibility checks. Just select all the options, if I remember correctly, latest versions include allowing you to create a local account.

Sure :). Please, be so kind and read my earlier post #6.

I suspect either an issue with the iso file itself, your flash drive, OR with maybe a glitch with Rufus (Rare but not impossible. Rufus is very dependable). I would start over. Download your iso here:
Scroll down to where it says "Download Windows 11 Disk Image x64" Select "multi-edition iso"
This multi-edition iso will give a list and let you select which version of Windows to install.

Then use Rufus again to create your install media making sure to select the option to disable all the compatibility checks.

ItMightBeLoud said:

I have similiar problem on the older HP Desktop. When this message is displayed, when I click OK or close the window - installation is stopped.
1. I am installing Windows 11 23H2 version from Download Windows 11
2. I am using Rufus 4.5 version
3. Media created using Rufus - just ticked no TPM
4. Even copied unattend.xml file to the USB root directory
I am attaching the file.

Click to expand...

Don't do your step 4. Rufus will do it.

Forget Rufus . I know that sounds harsh and I have absolutely nothing against Rufus. What I am simply saying is that if media created using Rufus is not working for you, there are other ways. Sometimes it's best to simply try something completely different that will work for sure.

I am willing to take the time to create a customized answer file for you and provide step-by-step directions for creating bootable media, if you so wish. But I will only take the time to do this if you are really interested, so do let me know.

NOTE: I have noticed that 24H2 has a new requirement for creating bootable media on 2 partitions. If you use a single FAT32 or NTFS partition on your installation media (or you use an ISO image), then no change is needed. If you create your installation media using 2 partitions (a small FAT32 partition and a larger NTFS partition) then the method used for previous versions of Windows will no longer work. You need to make a small change to allow 24H2 to install from such media. Took me a little while to figure this out, but I have this working with 100% reliability now.

If you want to proceed, please answer these questions:

1) What edition of Windows do you want to install (Home, Pro, etc.)?

2) What do you want the unattended answer file to do? Do you want it to bypass the Windows 11 requirements such as TPM, CPU requirements, etc. only? Do you also want it to create a local user account for you?

3) Do you want it to do anything else (supply the time zone, language settings, etc.) to make a truly unattended Windows installation or do you not want that?

4) If you DO want the answer file to create a local user account, what username would you like to use? I need both the abbreviated and full name that you want to use. For example, I often use "WinUser" with a full name of "Windows User" for generic installation. Otherwise I use "hanness" and "Hannes Sehestedt". Note that the full name is optional and can be omitted. Also, do you want a default password? I usually set my answer files to create a password of "Password1" and then I change it after setup. A blank password (no password) is also acceptable.

glasskuter said:

I suspect either an issue with the iso file itself, your flash drive, OR with maybe a glitch with Rufus (Rare but not impossible. Rufus is very dependable). I would start over. Download your iso here:

Download Windows 11

Scroll down to where it says "Download Windows 11 Disk Image x64" Select "multi-edition iso"
This multi-edition iso will give a list and let you select which version of Windows to install.

Then use Rufus again to create your install media making sure to select the option to disable all the compatibility checks.

Click to expand...

You found a solution! All my attempts 6 or 7 were made with flash drives from the same manufacturer. At the end I tried to change to different and... success! Thank you for your help.

I learned the hard way myself about the truth of flash drives, especially when it comes to making bootable media. Stay far, far away from the cheap no-name (or unknown name) ones. I've got some Sandisk drives here I've used for years and written many isos to.