How do I skip user interaction during deployment (fully automated install)?
Applies to: Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 8456 and later
Last updated: May 2025
Problem
You want MDT to perform a fully unattended deployment—no prompts for Task Sequence, computer name, domain join, applications, or any other input.
Solution
This is done by configuring CustomSettings.ini (and optionally Bootstrap.ini) with pre-defined values and enabling the appropriate Skip...=YES settings to suppress the MDT wizard pages.
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Open CustomSettings.ini
- Location:
<DeploymentShare>\Control\CustomSettings.ini
2. Add or Update the Following Settings
Here’s an example configuration for a full zero-touch deployment:
[Settings]
Priority=Default
[Default]
OSInstall=YES
SkipBDDWelcome=YES
SkipTaskSequence=YES
TaskSequenceID=WIN11ENT64
SkipComputerName=YES
OSDComputerName=PC-%SerialNumber%
SkipDomainMembership=YES
JoinDomain=yourdomain.local
DomainAdmin=MDTJoin
DomainAdminDomain=yourdomain
DomainAdminPassword=P@ssw0rd
MachineObjectOU=OU=Workstations,DC=yourdomain,DC=local
SkipUserData=YES
SkipLocaleSelection=YES
SkipTimeZone=YES
TimeZoneName=Pacific Standard Time
SkipApplications=YES
SkipSummary=YES
SkipFinalSummary=YES
Adjust values like
TaskSequenceID, domain info, and timezone as needed.
3. Optional: Edit Bootstrap.ini for Zero Input at Boot
Location: <DeploymentShare>\Control\Bootstrap.ini
[Settings]
Priority=Default
[Default]
DeployRoot=\\MDT01\DeploymentShare$
UserID=MDTAdmin
UserDomain=yourdomain
UserPassword=P@ssw0rd
SkipBDDWelcome=YES
KeyboardLocale=en-US
This pre-fills the Deployment Share and login info for WinPE.
4. Update the Deployment Share
- After editing
Bootstrap.ini, right-click the Deployment Share > Update Deployment Share to regenerate boot media.
Common Skip Options
| Option | Effect |
|---|---|
SkipTaskSequence=YES | Hides Task Sequence selection screen |
SkipComputerName=YES | Uses value in OSDComputerName |
SkipDomainMembership=YES | Uses predefined domain join settings |
SkipApplications=YES | Skips app selection |
SkipSummary=YES | Skips summary confirmation |
SkipFinalSummary=YES | Skips final results screen |
Notes
- You can combine this with Monitoring to track deployments in real time.
- Use
%SerialNumber%,%AssetTag%, or custom properties to dynamically name machines. - Always test changes in a lab environment before rolling out.
