Shift + F10 doesn't work to bypass network setup when installing Windows 11

[Dirk Pitt]

I'm trying to install Windows 11 and am stuck at the "Let's connect you to a network" screen. I've seen that you should press Shift+F10 to open the command prompt, but that doesn't work. Things I've tried ...

 

1. Some help on the internet mentioned Shift + Fn + F10 but no luck. I've tried about every possible combination of Shift + Fn + Cntrl + 10 to no avail. 

2. I tried from two different PCs

3. The floating toolbar on the left of VNC has a "show keyboard" but when I press it, no keyboard shows up. I've also tried pressing that button and combinations of Shift + Fn + F10 but no luck. 

 

I know the command is OOBE\BYPASSNRO to bypass the network but I can't get the command prompt to appear. 

[JonathanM]

You can customize your windows installation and optimize it for VM install.

https://schneegans.de/windows/unattend-generator/

[Dirk Pitt]

Thanks Jonathan! For anyone searching in the future, this is what worked.

 

1. I went to https://schneegans.de/windows/unattend-generator/ and generated an XML file and I checked "Allow Windows 11 to be installed without internet connection" under the heading Setup Settings. Export the XML to your PC (use the button way at the bottom). Note: the site will generate an iso, but it is too small to contain Win 11. It looks like from the documentation that iso is for downloading Windows 11 during install. That wouldn't work for my purposes since the whole point of this is that internet isn't available during install. So don't use the downnload iso button, download the XML file and then follow on to step 2. 

2. Download the Windows 11 iso from https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11. You should now have the xml and iso and you need to combined them (move the xml into the iso).

3. The youtube link below shows how to move the xml into the iso. The video shows two methods, the first I don't think will work with Unraid (not really sure) but the second method creates an iso and is super easy.  On the video, skip to about 18:30. The early part of the video is where to download an example xml but I didn't need this as the schneegans website generates that for you. It does require downloading the free program anyburn but it was trivial to use. 

4. Take the resulting iso (now with the xml inside) and copy it to the "isos" folder on unraid. 

5. For the rest I used the space invader video at the link below. This video is quite old and most of the first half doesn't apply anymore.  Starting the video right after he installs the icons (not required in 2024) at about 10:24. I used Ed's settings from that point on.