Quick tip for those with headless systems that want to test Windows Server Codename VAIL (and that don’t have IPMI 2.0). To create a USB drive capable of a headless installation follow these two steps:

1. Make a USB installer with the win7 download tool and your WHS ISO.
2. Then make a cfg.ini file in the root of the new USB drive with the following code:

[WinPE]
InstallSKU=SERVERHOMEPREMIUM
ConfigDisk=1
CheckReqs=0
SystemPartitionSize=60
[InitialConfiguration]
Language=en-US
Locale=0409
Country=US
KeyboardLayout=00000409
AcceptEula=true
ServerName=VailPremServer
PlainTextPassword=Head13$$
PasswordHint=See ServeTheHome.com
Settings=All

Just make sure you read Microsoft’s EULA and accept the terms before using this. Also, it WILL ERASE ALL DATA ON THE MACHINE VAIL IS INSTALLED ON. Do not use this on a machine with existing data!!!!!

To make it a bit easier feel free to download the cfg.ini file here.

Related posts:

1. Windows Home Server (WHS) V2 Vail Beta Preview
2. Add 2TB+ GPT Disk/Volume to Windows Home Server v2 VAIL
3. Exclude System Disk from Server Storage in Windows Home Server (WHS) V2 Vail
4. Windows Home Server (WHS) V2 VAIL – Installed in Hyper-V – Early Release Clue
5. How to remove a drive in Windows Home Server
6. Installing Windows Home Server Connector Software Without the CD