You can inject the product key into your install.wim with dism and create a new bootable dvd. This way every time you install from this dvd product key will be installed without the need to use slmgr -ipk. However you still need to install your certificate using setupcomplete method.
ive always wandered if you can open the product.ini and replace the default key with one of your choice does anyone know if that works??
So have I. So, could I convert a Dell home premium dvd (the reinstall disk) into professional by replacing the default key with that of pro, and deleting ei.cfg and choosing pro during install?
That would do absolutely no good because the dell product key would still be in $OEM$ folder on an original dell dvd.
The keys in the product.ini are not used during setup. The default key is already installed in the install.wim image.
I do it this way via a AUTOUNNATTEND.XML on the root of the disk. This is an example from a Pseudo-OEM Disk I made for a project at work. pastebin.org/620237 Add http etc. Apparently despite my contributions to this forum, I can't post links.