I'm having an issue, with Windows 8.1 sysprep WIM, when applying the image and don't know what to do.

I am using the Windows 8.1 WADK/Windows Kits for Windows 8.1. Using the Image Manager for creating my answer file, using deployment/imaging tool for creating and editing my images, and using the same Windows 8.1 DVD media for my catalog as in my WIM. No MDT involvement.

Using WinPE to clean and partition my disk and to apply the image.

I have done the best research I'm able to do at the moment and for this issue it all comes back to removing/editing the "IEWelcomeMsg" line.

I have left at false and removed the line as all have mentioned, however I'm still getting the error "windows setup: windows could not parse or process unattend answer file (c:windows\panther\unattend.xml). A component or setting specified in the answer file does not exist".

Is there something I missed? From what I can tell for now, nope.

Any help to enlighten what might have been over looked would be beneficial.

Open WSIM. Copy your wim to a writeable location (such as HDD), then open the wim in WSIM. Then open the XML file you made with WSIM. See if it can tell you where your error is.

• Proposed as answer by Michael ShaoMicrosoft contingent staff, Moderator 2 hours 40 minutes ago

Open WSIM. Copy your wim to a writeable location (such as HDD), then open the wim in WSIM. Then open the XML file you made with WSIM. See if it can tell you where your error is.

• Proposed as answer by Michael ShaoMicrosoft contingent staff, Moderator Wednesday, April 29, 2015 4:42 AM

Hi JFrederick,

Please try what Tripredacus suggested first.

For the error message, we have a similar thread for reference:

Windows Could Not parse or process unattend answer file for pass [specialize]

The cause might be different, you may refer to the others who offered suggestions in the above thread.

Regards