Windows 8: Windows cannot read the setting from the unattend answer file.

Since the Windows 8 Consumer Preview has been recently released, you may want to experiment with it in VMWare Workstation.

After you have the done the following things …:

1. Download the ISO from http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/iso
2. Create a new Virtual Machine and, while you’re still in the wizard, choose the ISO to boot and install your OS from.

… the following error will pop up:

Windows cannot read the <ProductKey> setting from the unattend answer file

The workaround for this is to not select the ISO in the New Virtual Machine Wizard.

After you’ve created the VM, edit the settings of that VM and connect the Windows 8 ISO.