Does NTLite auto-fill <ComputerName>*</ComputerName> when left blank?

[Selim GURSU]

Hi everyone,

I am building a semi-unattended Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 ISO. My goal is to ensure that Windows automatically generates a completely random computer name (e.g., DESKTOP-XXXXXXX) upon every single deployment, avoiding any static duplicate names across multiple machines.

I would like to clarify the exact behavior in NTLite under Unattended -> Shell -> Computer name:

1. If I leave the Computer name field completely blank, NTLite seems to automatically handle it as a dynamic random hostname generation (DESKTOP-XXXXXXX).
2. The tooltip mentions using an asterisk (*) for random dynamic computer names (and leveraging up to the first 7 characters of the 'Full Name' field as a prefix if populated).

Could you please confirm if leaving the Computer name field blank in NTLite writes <ComputerName>*</ComputerName> under the hood in autounattend.xml, or if explicitly entering * into the field is the required/best practice to guarantee dynamic random naming on every fresh install?

Thanks in advance!

 

[garlin]

1. NTLite is not responsible for creating a random hostname, Windows does that task.

You can use "*" or an empty value for the <ComputerName>. If you don't have a <FullName> or <Organization>, you will also get a "DESKTOP-(random)" hostname.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/w...nd/microsoft-windows-shell-setup-computername

- If ComputerName is not specified, a random computer name is generated.

- If ComputerName set to an asterisk (*) or is included but empty (""), Windows creates a random 15-character name using up to 7 characters from FullName and Organization, then a dash, then more random characters.

2. If you use "[Prompt]", then NTLite will create a custom script that runs before OOBE, and asks for a hostname to be entered.