Pre-Activated Windows ISO: Using $OEM$ Folders for Setup

Creating a Windows installation media that's pre-activated simplifies deployment. This guide explains how to integrate activation scripts using the $OEM$ folder structure. By placing these scripts correctly, your Windows installation can activate automatically upon boot or first internet connection, saving valuable time.

To create a pre-activated Windows installation ISO, do the following:

Extract the $OEM$ folder to the desktop using the MAS script.
Copy the $OEM$ folder to the sources folder in the Windows installation media (ISO or USB).
The directory will appear like this: \sources\$OEM$ in your altered ISO or on your bootable USB drive.
Now use this ISO or bootable USB drive to install Windows, it will either already be activated (TSforge) as soon as it boots or will self-activate (HWID or Online KMS) at the first internet contact.
You can see here for activation method details.

warning

On Windows 8 and later, running setupcomplete.cmd is disabled if the default installed key for the edition is from the OEM channel, except for Enterprise editions and Windows Server.
However, in Windows 10, IoT Enterprise editions were not included in the Enterprise category list during the installation process. As a result, Enterprise with an OEM key can handle setupcomplete.cmd, but IoT Enterprise (LTSC) cannot. This was fixed in later Windows 11 versions.
In Windows 10 IoT Enterprise (LTSC), you can resolve this issue by using the Non-IoT Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC ISO. In this case, the HWID method in preactivation will install the IoT LTSC key to change the edition and enable HWID activation.
In Windows 11 IoT Enterprise (LTSC), it works fine as expected by default.

Edit ISO File

As stated above, you can copy the $OEM$ folder to your bootable USB so you don't have to edit the ISO file. However, if you need to, then follow the steps below.
Download AnyBurn Free Portable and extract the zip file.
Run the file named AnyBurn(64-bit)\AnyBurn.exe.
Select the option named Edit image file.
Follow the on-screen instructions and add the $OEM$ folder to the sources folder so that the directory will appear like this: \sources\$OEM$.
Save the ISO, that's it.

Preinstall Office

Follow this guide and download the Office files.
Copy the downloaded Office folder, setup.exe and Configuration.xml files, and paste them into the $OEM$ folder, beside the setupcomplete.cmd file.
Open the setupcomplete.cmd file with notepad and add the lines below after fltmc >nul || exit /b line.
```
cd /d "%~dp0"setup.exe /configure Configuration.xml
```
Save the $OEM$ folder into the ISO as per above instructions, that's it.

HWID

When using HWID activation, no files are stored on the system, and Windows 10-11 will be activated when connected to the internet for the first time.

Ohook

If Office is preinstalled then Ohook method will activate the Office immediately without Internet. This activation uses custom sppc.dll file for the activation.

TSforge

When using TSforge activation, no files are stored on the system, and Windows / ESU / Office (preinstalled) becomes activated immediately without Internet.

Online KMS

When using Online KMS activation, Windows-Server and Office (Preinstalled) both will be activated when connected to the internet for the first time. This option uses a renewal task for lifetime activation.

HWID + Ohook

In this method, Windows 10-11 will be activated with HWID, and Office (Preinstalled) will be activated using Ohook.

HWID + Ohook + TSforge

In this method, Windows 10-11 will be activated with HWID, and Office (Preinstalled) will be activated using Ohook and Windows ESU will be activated with TSforge.

TSforge + Ohook

In this method, Windows and ESU will be activated with TSforge, and Office (Preinstalled) will be activated using Ohook.