Thanks Pelle, that's exactly the info I needed.
For anyone else who is deploying with something like Microsoft System Center 2012 Configuration Manager (SCCM), here's the batch file I used to install and serialize:
start "Photoshop Elements 12 Setup" /wait "%~dp0setup.exe" /UL1033 /V"SERIALNUMBER=XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX COUNTRY=39 NODESKTOPICON=1" if errorlevel 1 exit /b %errorlevel% "%~dp0adobe_prtk.exe" --tool=VolumeSerialize --provfile="%~dp0prov.xml" if errorlevel 1 exit /b 1
I just copied the adobe_prtk.exe and the prov.xml into the root of the deployment folder, along with this batch file. Replace the XXXX's with your own serial number, of course. I've added the NODESKTOPICON=1 as we prefer not to have the desktop shortcut created.
The first "if errorlevel" statement will make sure the MSI error code gets returned to the deployment process in case the installation fails for some reason. The second one returns an errorlevel of 1 if the serialization fails for any reason, and I can go chase down the log file if I need further details. (Haven't tested this part so this is all theoretical.)
For those having trouble with automatic updates not being disabled or the EULA being displayed, check out http://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/kb/photoshop-element-12-sile nt-install.html. It has the updated instructions for creating the application.xml.override file.
Adobe: Please improve the documentation about suppressing the prompt for Adobe ID at the above link, and update http://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/kb/silent-install-instructio ns-photoshop-elements-1.html to indicate it applies to Photoshop Elements 11 only.