SQL Server Express - Install Configuration File?

Using configuration files as part of a SQL Server install is a great way to use a consistent and reusable setup, and make the process easier. The configuration file name and location is available on the Ready to Install screen, just where you would hit the magic install button.

OK as buttons go it's not that magic!

If you're using SQL Express things are a little bit different, in fact there's no configuration file available at all as the Ready to Install screen doesn't exist in the standard setup. Here I'm trying to install SQL Server 2017 Express Edition:

With no configuration file available I would either have to let the install finish without one or hit cancel. I can see why this happens as Express is all about a speedier install, especially with the new basic install option, but can we still get a configuration file if we really wanted?

Following the official documentation on installing SQL Server:

SQL Server Express Edition setup does not create a configuration file automatically. The following command will start setup and create a configuration file.

SETUP.exe /UIMODE=Normal /ACTION=INSTALL

So in order to get a configuration file we're going to have to tell SQL Server to use the normal UI mode option, which the UI option for the non-express edition installs.

This time after setting whatever options I need to, I get to the Ready to Install screen and my configuration file is available again: