Windows 2008 SP2, Windows 2008 R2 SP1, Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 can be installed without entering a product key during installation. After a 30-day grace period, Windows activation is required. The Hewlett Packard Enterprise provided Windows OS Build Plans require a product key for installation.
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NOTE: Microsoft requires a product key to deploy Windows 2012 and Windows 2012 R2. Refer to Microsoft web site to determine your volume activation needs: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh831612.aspx. |
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To create a Windows Build Plan to install Windows without a product key
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Save a copy of the Hewlett Packard Enterprise provided configuration file that is referenced by the Build Plan you want to run. The file name is similar to
Windows, wherexxxxStandard Default Unattend.xmlxxxxis the Windows version. -
Edit the copy and either remove or comment out the
<ProductKey>line. -
Save a copy of the Hewlett Packard Enterprise provided Build Plan and edit the copy.
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Remove the first Validate Custom Attribute step or remove the product key parameter from the step.
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Edit the step that references the
unattendfile and replace the step with the previously edited step. Any parameters specified with the original configuration file are preserved.