EI.cfg and PID.txt.

or how-to automatically specify which Windows version and what Product Key to use.

To partially automate the Windows Setup, you can use an ei.cfg and a PID.txt file.

The "Edition Configuration" ("EI.cfg"-file) AND The "Product ID" ("PID.txt"-file) are /OPTIONAL/ configuration files that you can use to AUTOMATICALLY SPECIFY:

• Which Windows® EDITION (Pro VL vs Ent, etc.) to automatically install.

AND

• What Windows Product Key to use (ie. to automate the Serial Number entry page),
  during the Windows Setup.

• IF you only use an ei.cfg AND you don't use a PID.txt
  THEN –> you will be prompted to supply a Windows Product Key during the Windows Setup.

Note: it is highly likely your Windows Setup media (DVD, USB Key), already has an ei.cfg file included.

Now, to partially automate the install Windows Setup, you might wish to use a PID.txt file and add to it your Windows Product Key.

There are some special types of Product Keys that you can use just for the sake of getting Windows installed.

These special Product Keys are known as “Windows Setup KMS Product Keys” and they are publicly available at the following address:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj612867.aspx

ei.cfg Example.

ei.cfg:

[EditionID] Enterprise
[Channel] OEM
[VL] 0

• Which EditionID to install? –> “Dism /Get-ImageInfo”

• {Channel Type} must be either "OEM" or "Retail" (depending on your install media).

• {Volume License} must be either 1, if this is a volume license, or 0, if this is not a volume license (again, depending on your install media).

PID.txt Example.

PID.txt:

[PID] Value=XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

My favourite Windows Setup KMS Product Keys:

Note: these keys are only good to automate the Windows Setup process.
AFTER Windows has been installed, you will have to:
1. Enter your own Product Key.
2. Activate Windows.

To use ei.cfg and PID.txt, simply Open Notepas and copy/paste adjusting accordingly to your needs.
Q: Where to place ei.cfg and/or PID.txt
A: Within the "SOURCES"-Folder (on your installation media).

[BONUS] How-to Install Win8.1 Pro with a Win8Pro Key.

TIP: IF you have a Windows 8 Product Key AND you wish to INSTALL Windows 8.1Pro DIRECTLY (ie. WITHOUT downloading it thru the Store - by performing a clean install).

1. Install WIndows 8.1 with one of the Windows Setup KMS Product Keys (ie. for Win8.1 Pro, use GCRJD-8NW9H-F2CDX-CCM8D-9D6T9).
2. (After Windows Setup is complete and booted): Open System –> “Windows Activation”.
3. Select Activate then insert your Windows 8 Product Key.

SRC: http://www.techmesto.com/install-windows-8-1-without-product-key/

That’s it for now.

On a future post, I will show you how to fully automate the Windows Setup by using an unattended file.

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Andrea Matesi

Senior Professional Network and Computer Systems Engineer during work hours and father when home.

Andrea strives to deliver outstanding customer service and heaps of love towards his family.

In this Ad-sponsored space, Andrea shares his quest for "ultimate" IT knowledge, meticulously brought to you in an easy to read format.

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