Server 2012 Windows cannot read the setting from the unattend answer file
In a virtual enviroment such as Vmware Worksation or Vshpere 5, when you are installing Microsoft Windows Server 2012 you may come across the error below. This can also applied to Windows 8.
Windows cannot read the setting from the unattend answer file
This is down to “Easy Install” trying to be to clever. To get around this do the following, instead of selecting the OS you want to install as seen below.
Change the selection of your OS to “other” and 64bit. As seen here.
You will now find that when you boot the os you will not receive the Server 2012 Windows cannot read the <ProductKey> setting from the unattend answer file error and the system will boot fine allowing you to install server 2012 or Windows 8 depending on what you are installing.
Allen White
Allen is an IT Consultant and holds the following accreditations. MCSA, MCSE, MCTS, MCITP, CCA, CCSP, VCP 4,5, 6 and HP ASE, AIS - Network Infrastructure.
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Attila
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It works, Thanks for your help! 🙂
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Lars
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Can you explain what the actual problem was here? Why was the installer unable to read the product key from the unattend file in the first place?
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Allen White
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This is an old issue in VMware/Workstation where when you tried to build a Windows server 2012 VM you got the error in the article.
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