Windows All editions doesn't give me a choice of which edition on CLEAN install to select

jimbo45 · Aug 13, 2024

Hi folks
I downloaded a 24H2 Windows 11 iso via UUPDUMP -- but on booting into a newly formatted internal HDD (SSD/NNVMe) I'm not given the option of what version to install even though I'm licensed for various versions including W11 Enterprise.

There used to be an old file that one could add to the install set -- anybody remember what it is and if that still works, something like _ei.cfg or similar if I recall.

I created via UUPDUMP the ISO with "Extra editions selected" -- and dism shows that the images are all there -- setup.exe from a bootable usb I made via Rufus (bog standard - no "get arounds etc") just prompts for target disk to install to and just installs W11 Pro -- no choice of edition to install.

Windows shows hardware is compatible with W11 in regards to CPU, GPU,TPM etc etc.

Any ideas --

added -- I even attempted another way via Dism /Apply-Image with index:n where n is the edition I want to install --still got W11 Pro.

Cheers
jimbo

antspants · Aug 13, 2024

Hi Jimbo

The file you speak of is ei.cfg

It is missing from the web page here but I can upload it or edit to see the code

The process would be the same.

How To Select Pro Edition While Installing Windows 10

Many users perform a clean install or reinstall of Windows 10 once in a year to fix issues and restore the lost speed. To help users easily download ISO

www.intowindows.com

antspants · Aug 13, 2024

The content of the ei.cfg file says

Code:

[Channel]
Retail

Whether you need to adjust that I don't know, but that's the file I downloaded when it was available.

antspants · Aug 13, 2024

The file goes into the ISO Sources folder. I'd guess it would be beneficial to read that page. However the image example they show was not what was available when I downloaded it. So who knows what yours should read.

This is the example from that page:

Select-Windows-10-Pro-edition-while-installing-Windows-10-step4.1_thumb.png

jimbo45 · Aug 13, 2024

antspants said:
The file goes into the ISO Sources folder. I'd guess it would be beneficial to read that page. However the image example they show was not what was available when I downloaded it. So who knows what yours should read.

This is the example from that page:

View attachment 104522

@antspants

Thanks for the info --I'll try that.

BTW the Enterprise edition IS captured by the ISO in UUPDUMP as per here :

So something definitely isn't right !!!!!.

Cheers
jimbo

antspants · Aug 13, 2024

jimbo45 said:
So something definitely isn't right !!!!!.

Well to be honest I have not read of an instance where a “Desktop” has needed this as it’s generally an issue where as the Windows version & key are embedded into a “Laptops” Firmware/BIOS. At least that’s how I understand it.

Unless you’re installing on a laptop this time, Jimbo?

jimbo45 · Aug 13, 2024

antspants said:
Well to be honest I have not read of an instance where a “Desktop” has needed this as it’s generally an issue where as the Windows version & key are embedded into a “Laptops” Firmware/BIOS. At least that’s how I understand it.

Unless you’re installing on a laptop this time, Jimbo?

Hi there
That would really be "restrictive" -- I've installed Linux on that hardware with no problems but surely even if there's an "embedded" laptop key - surely there must be a mechanism for clearing keys -- I'm sure Ms isn't in the business of stopping people from making upgrades - it earns them money.

I can't see anything in the computers firmware bios to clear these keys other than allow some type of NVRAM (or whatever it's called) to update.

That also doesn't explain why I get the same problem on a totally different computer that didn't come with Windows at all initially.

Cheers
jimbo

antspants · Aug 13, 2024

jimbo45 said:
- I'm sure Ms isn't in the people from making upgrades - it earns them money.

It’s a proprietary process, for instance an older Dell PC sold as a Windows 10 PC, is generally not upgradable. I’d guess it’s so they can sell more laptops? Again, just my understanding.

jimbo45 said:
That also doesn't explain wht I get the same problem on a totally different computer that didn't come with Windows at all initially.

No, it doesn’t really explain that at all. Above my paygrade, Jimbo.

antspants · Aug 13, 2024

I’ve had my hands on a few old laptops (one of my Dells included) that when doing a scan for updates on a proprietary site, or with proprietary software, will not offer Windows 11 updates and states that the laptop is not compatible regardless that it is running Windows 11

hsehestedt · Aug 13, 2024

The behavior makes sense, in a way. If you have a system that has an embedded key in the firmware, Microsoft automatically assumes that this is the edition that you want to install. After all, it wouldn't surprise me if the majority of your average consumers don't even know what edition of Windows they have installed. So maybe the thinking is that this removes the burden of figuring out what edition you need to install.

If Windows was designed the way I would want it I would do this: At the start of setup, tell the user that we have detected an embedded key for home, pro, etc. Offer to install that by default but still provide the option to select whatever edition you wish.

BamaInArk · Aug 13, 2024

I haven't built a USB installer with anything but Pro addition in a long time. I'll have to try to build one using multiple Windows versions to see what happens.

Edit: And I just noticed something from your command line script you posted above. It shows "Starting to install product key........ Finished installing product key."
Not sure I have ever seen that when creating an ISO using UUPDump. Scratching my head why you're seeing that?

jimbo45 · Aug 13, 2024

BamaInArk said:
I haven't built a USB installer with anything but Pro addition in a long time. I'll have to try to build one using multiple Windows versions to see what happens.

Edit: And I just noticed something from your command line script you posted above. It shows "Starting to install product key........ Finished installing product key."
Not sure I have ever seen that when creating an ISO using UUPDump. Scratching my head why you're seeing that?

I think it needs a "Default" product key for initial clean install -- nothing to do with piracy etc -- you still need to have a valid license for activation after OOBE boot and setup - either manually via "Change product key" or automatically via digital license.

Cheers
jimbo

BamaInArk · Aug 13, 2024

To update this...I just created a new USB installer via UUPDump and Rufus. Added all the other Windows versions. I was offered all of them during the install process. I did have to select that option during the ISO creation process.

bikemanI7 · Sep 9, 2024

recently did a clean install on my newer Windows 11 Desktop that was originally shipped with Windows 11 Home, purchased from MS Store Windows 11 Pro, proceeded with clean install, and did not have option to select version i wanted.

But got it worked out, setup my user/microsoft account first--opened the store, upgraded that way, restarted, setup PC Admin account and did rest of the updates, and installs, then finished updating User Account afterwards

for next time have the ei.cfg file that i hope works in the future if ever need it

hsehestedt · Sep 9, 2024

bikemanI7 said:
recently did a clean install on my newer Windows 11 Desktop that was originally shipped with Windows 11 Home, purchased from MS Store Windows 11 Pro, proceeded with clean install, and did not have option to select version i wanted.

But got it worked out, setup my user/microsoft account first--opened the store, upgraded that way, restarted, setup PC Admin account and did rest of the updates, and installs, then finished updating User Account afterwards

for next time have the ei.cfg file that i hope works in the future if ever need it

I ALWAYS place the ei.cfg on my Windows installation media. This way I can count on it being there when needed and it hurts nothing to have it always there.

jimbo45 · Sep 9, 2024

@hsehestedt

Quick way is to simply use the "default" key for the version you want to use.

The public initial key for Win11 IOT enterprise is XQQYW, NFFMW,XPBH,K8732,CKFFD.

At setup on "Clean install" (providing your ISO contains all the relevant versions) simply enter the product key at prompt from the install.exe run. Create the multi-build version iso via UUPDUMP and choose add extra editions when creating the ISO.

The other public keys are available anywhere on the net but the public Win IOT enterprise ones seem to be hidden.

Note -- this is NOT PIRACY since you'll still have to activate Windows if you don't have a digital license for the version you are trying to install.

Cheers
jimbo

Bree · Sep 9, 2024

jimbo45 said:
The public initial key for Win11 IOT enterprise is XQQYW, NFFMW,XPBH,K8732,CKFFD.

Not quite, it's: XQQYW-NFFMW-XJPBH-K8732-CKFFD

jimbo45 · Sep 9, 2024

Bree said:
Not quite, it's: XQQYW-NFFMW-XJPBH-K8732-CKFFD

OK Typo !!!!!

@Bree

Too Much BOOZE this afternoon as we come into autumn with lengthening days etc !!!). I hate the US description of "Fall" as here there aren't a load of trees etc so nothing much to "Fall" as summer passes. The UK poets had it much better : "Season of mists and mellow fruitfullness" . By Keats in 19th cent.

Enjoy !!

To Autumn

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,

poets.org

Cheers
jimbo

hsehestedt · Sep 9, 2024

jimbo45 said:
@hsehestedt

Quick way is to simply use the "default" key for the version you want to use.

The public initial key for Win11 IOT enterprise is XQQYW, NFFMW,XPBH,K8732,CKFFD.

At setup on "Clean install" (providing your ISO contains all the relevant versions) simply enter the product key at prompt from the install.exe run. Create the multi-build version iso via UUPDUMP and choose add extra editions when creating the ISO.

The other public keys are available anywhere on the net but the public Win IOT enterprise ones seem to be hidden.

Note -- this is NOT PIRACY since you'll still have to activate Windows if you don't have a digital license for the version you are trying to install.

Cheers
jimbo

My personal preference is the ei.cfg, although as with my things related to Windows, there are multiple ways to do this. By using the ei.cfg I need no keys at the time of installation, and I can guarantee that I get the choice of what edition to install for any image that I have. I also NEVER use UUPDUMP. I have run it exactly one time ever just so that I could say that I have seen it

.

Remember that I roll my own updated ISO images. Every patch Tuesday and on Preview release dates, I inject all the latest updates into an image myself to ensure that it gets done right

.

jimbo45 · Sep 10, 2024

hsehestedt said:
My personal preference is the ei.cfg, although as with my things related to Windows, there are multiple ways to do this. By using the ei.cfg I need no keys at the time of installation, and I can guarantee that I get the choice of what edition to install for any image that I have. I also NEVER use UUPDUMP. I have run it exactly one time ever just so that I could say that I have seen it .

Remember that I roll my own updated ISO images. Every patch Tuesday and on Preview release dates, I inject all the latest updates into an image myself to ensure that it gets done right .

Also a good solution - but it's great with things in I.T generally that there are several ways to fix things -- it's not usually a "One size fits all". Some people would find it hard to "roll their own images" -- even simply using dism /Apply-Image to install bog standard windows is hard for many. UUPDUMP provides an easy way to get pretty well any insider version / build of Windows one wants. Trying to get backlevel / archival isos from Ms is a real pain even if its possible and usually means signing up for an Ms account etc.

cheers
jimbo