Thursday, March 1, 2012

Windows Cannot Read The ProductKey Setting From The Unattend answer file | Solution

Almost every one will face this issue when installing Windows 8 on Virtual machines. This is what happened to me while installing Windows 8 Developer Preview on VMware Workstation 8 .0 build 471780.

I have created New Virtual Machine for Windows 8, but while installing Windows 8 it gives me "Vmware Workstation 8 Windows Cannot Read the <ProductKey> settings from the unattend answer file" error. And Windows 8 virtual machine keeps on rebooting...In VMware Workstation 8.0 "Windows 8" Version is a not available under.

Error Message, "Windows cannot read the <ProductKey> setting from the unattend answer file."

Windows Cannot Read The ProductKey Setting from the Unattend answer file

Solution:

Solution is so simple, remove or Disconnect "Floppy" from your Windows Virtual Machine. Because, what happens actually is the autoinst.flp file contains the ProductKey. And  autoinst.flp is mounted when you start the Virtual Machine VMware.

Right click on the floppy icon on the right bottom corner on the VMware, and click on settings.

ProductKey setting from the unattend answer file

Un tick, Connected and Connect at Power On under Device status and click Ok.

Windows cannot read the ProductKey setting from the unattend answer

Now you can install Windows 8 without any issues. And by any chance if Windows 8 installation ask you to type a product key, just key in this Product Key: DNJXJ-7XBW8-2378T-X22TX-BKG7J

Enjoy!!

Alternatively, you can also remove the floppy completely from the Virtual machine, just follow these steps.

If you are Windows 8 Virtual Machine is running, power off Windows 8 Virtual Machine & Go to Virtual Machine settings & remove the Floppy.

Windows ProductKey Setting from the Unattend answer file.

Hyper-V does not enable floppy drives by default, and MDT does not use the floppy drive at all.

Product Key: DNJXJ-7XBW8-2378T-X22TX-BKG7J

7 comments:

  1. ThomasMarch 2, 2012 at 12:28 AM

    Thank you. This tip also work with Windows 8 Beta that I am just installing today (03/01/2012)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Haja Peer Mohamed HMarch 2, 2012 at 7:44 AM

    It was nice that it worked for you too. And Thank you Thomas for your comment on bench3,

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMarch 17, 2012 at 4:49 AM

    does not work you have to choose to in I will install this operating system on new image then mount any win8 iso and follow instructions unattend mode not supported in vmware 8 yet.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Haja Peer Mohamed HMarch 17, 2012 at 7:34 AM

    No need to choose i will install the operating system later, you can install right away, but you need to make some changes by cliking the floppy icon on the lower right corner of the VMware.

    You can also use like what our friend has said, in the above comment.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousMay 16, 2012 at 2:38 PM

    first I install win8 than uninstall , after re-installing again it says

    Windows cannot read the setting from the unattend answer file.


    I am using laptop and I disabled the floppy drives
    but not thing changes

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousJune 22, 2012 at 7:02 AM

    Hi...I just tried installing win 8 with autounattend in a physical machine..and I keep gettting the error Windows cannot read the setting from the unattended answer file....Anybody can help ??(I am installing from CDROM and my answer file is in a flashdrive)
    Thank You in advance....:)

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJune 22, 2012 at 1:57 PM

    see if this link helps you! http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-create-unattended-windows-7-installation-setup/

    ReplyDelete