The System Preparation (Sysprep) tool is used to change Windows images from a generalized state to a specialized state, and then back to a generalized state. A generalized image can be deployed on any computer. A specialized image is targeted to a specific computer.
What does Sysprep/generalize do?
Sysprep removes all unique system information from the Windows installation. Sysprep resets the security ID (SID), clears any system restore points, and deletes event logs. For example: Sysprep /generalize /shutdown The next time that the computer starts, the specializeconfiguration pass runs.
What does Sysprep do in Windows 10?
Thank you. Sysprep (System Preparation) prepares a Windows client or Windows Server installation for imaging. Sysprep can remove PC-specific information from a Windows installation (generalizing) so it can be installed on different PCs.
What is system preparation (Sysprep)?
Sysprep (System Preparation) prepares a Windows client or Windows Server installation for imaging. Sysprep can remove PC-specific information from a Windows installation (generalizing) so it can be installed on different PCs. When you run Sysprep you can configure whether the PC will boot to audit mode or to the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE).
Can Sysprep be used for build-to-order?
Second, Sysprep can use the same established Windows image as a foundation for many different PCs, adding desired drivers and applications for each unique system. A hardware provider could then create a distinctly different image for installation on that specific system. This is called a build-to-order or BTO image.
What changes does Sysprep make?
Sysprep can remove PC-specific information from a Windows installation (generalizing) so it can be installed on different PCs. When you run Sysprep you can configure whether the PC will boot to audit mode or to the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE). Sysprep is part of the Windows image, and is run in audit mode.
What does the program Sysprep do?
Sysprep is Microsoft's System Preparation tool intended to duplicate, test and deliver new installations for the Windows operating system based on an established installation. It is a command-line tool that can be run manually or through a script.
When should you use Sysprep?
Sysprep is the Microsoft system preparation tool used by system administrators often during the automated deployment of Windows Server based operating systems. Sysprep is most frequently used in virtualized environments to prepare a system image which will be cloned multiple times.
What happens after Sysprep?
Once you run Sysprep, the computer will shut down after a few moments of processing the changes. Now, as the computer is in a shut-down state, you will need to clone it.
Will Sysprep remove drivers?
Since I keep seeing this myth thrown around on Spiceworks, I decided to make a thread: Sysprep does not remove device drivers.
Does Sysprep remove IP address?
On the other hand, if you have an image you want to deploy, sysprep /generalize should get rid of the IP address just fine.
Does sysprep remove product key?
Note that running Sysprep does not remove the installed product key and you will not be prompted for a new key during mini-setup.
Does sysprep remove registry changes?
Yes, when you sysprep it removes the old registry values.
What happens if you sysprep without generalize?
If you intend to transfer a Windows image to a different computer, you must run sysprep /generalize, even if the computer has the same hardware configuration. The sysprep /generalize command removes unique information from your Windows installation, which enables you to reuse that image on different computers.
How many times can you sysprep?
You can run Sysprep as many times as required to build and to configure your installation of Windows. However, you can reset Windows activation only up to three times. You must not use Sysprep to reconfigure an existing installation of Windows that has already been deployed.
Does sysprep uninstall programs?
In general, Sysprep does not remove applications. Some applications are sensitive to sysprep, but those are rare exceptions. Sysprep strips out the machine-specific settings like activation ID and SID, while leaving the installed programs for ease of deployment.
Do I need to run sysprep before cloning?
Note: Before you can perform cloning, your VM MUST be switched (Turned) off. Therefore, after cloning, you will have to sysprep the server. Sysprep removes PC-specific information from a Windows installation, "generalizing" the installation so it can be installed on different PCs.
Does sysprep uninstall programs?
In general, Sysprep does not remove applications. Some applications are sensitive to sysprep, but those are rare exceptions. Sysprep strips out the machine-specific settings like activation ID and SID, while leaving the installed programs for ease of deployment.
Do I need to run sysprep after cloning?
Note: Before you can perform cloning, your VM MUST be switched (Turned) off. Therefore, after cloning, you will have to sysprep the server. Sysprep removes PC-specific information from a Windows installation, "generalizing" the installation so it can be installed on different PCs.
Does sysprep remove Windows activation?
Sysprep provides the following benefits:Removes system-specific data from Windows. ... Configures Windows to boot to Audit mode. ... Configures Windows to boot to Windows Welcome. ... Resets Windows Product Activation.
How many times can you run sysprep on Windows 10?
You can run Sysprep as many times as required to build and to configure your installation of Windows. However, you can reset Windows activation only up to three times. You must not use Sysprep to reconfigure an existing installation of Windows that has already been deployed.
What is a sysprep?
The System Preparation ( Sysprep) tool is used to change Windows® images from a generalized state to a specialized state, and then back to a generalized state. A generalized image can be deployed on any computer. A specialized image is targeted to a specific computer. You must reseal, or generalize, a Windows image before you capture and deploy the image. For example, when you use the Sysprep tool to generalize an image, Sysprep removes all system-specific information and resets the computer. The next time that the computer restarts, your customers can add user-specific information through Out-Of-Box Experience (OOBE) and accept the Microsoft Software License Terms.
What is a sysprep provider?
Independent software vendors (ISVs) and independent hardware vendors (IHVs) can create Sysprep providers that enable their applications to support imaging and deployment scenarios. If an application does not currently support generalize operations by using the Sysprep tool, you can create a provider that removes all software-specific and hardware-specific information from the application.
Where is sysprep located?
Sysprep.exe is located in the %WINDIR%system32sysprep directory on all Windows installations . If you use the command line instead of the System Preparation Tool GUI, you must first close the GUI and then run Sysprep from the %WINDIR%system32sysprep directory. You must also run Sysprep on the same version of Windows that you used to install Sysprep.
How to prepare a computer for an end user?
To prepare a computer for an end user, you must configure the computer to boot to OOBE when an end user starts the computer for the first time . In a default Windows installation, OOBE starts after installation is completed, but you can skip OOBE and boot directly to audit mode to customize images.
Why does sysprep fail?
Installing new Microsoft Store apps or updating your existing Microsoft Store apps before generalizing a Windows image will cause Sysprep to fail. Sysprep /generalize requires that all apps are provisioned for all users; however, when you update an app from the Microsoft Store, that app becomes tied to the logged in user account. The following error appears in the Sysprep log files (which you can find at %WINDIR%System32SysprepPanther ):
How to run sysprep?
Run Sysprep.#N#If the System Preparation Tool window is still open, click Generalize, click Shutdown, and then click OK to generalize the image and shut down the PC.#N#-or-#N#Use Sysprep from Command Prompt. Run %WINDIR%system32sysprepsysprep.exe to open the System Preparation Window. You can also use the Sysprep command together with the /generalize, /shutdown, and /oobe options. See Sysprep command-line options to see available options.#N#%WINDIR%system32sysprepsysprep.exe /generalize /shutdown /oobe#N#Note#N#If you are generalizing a VHD that will be deployed as a VHD on the same virtual machine or hypervisor, use the /mode:vm option with the Sysprep command-line.#N#The computer generalizes the image and shuts down. 1 If the System Preparation Tool window is still open, click Generalize, click Shutdown, and then click OK to generalize the image and shut down the PC.#N#-or- 2 Use Sysprep from Command Prompt. Run %WINDIR%system32sysprepsysprep.exe to open the System Preparation Window. You can also use the Sysprep command together with the /generalize, /shutdown, and /oobe options. See Sysprep command-line options to see available options.#N#%WINDIR%system32sysprepsysprep.exe /generalize /shutdown /oobe#N#Note#N#If you are generalizing a VHD that will be deployed as a VHD on the same virtual machine or hypervisor, use the /mode:vm option with the Sysprep command-line.#N#The computer generalizes the image and shuts down.
How many times can you run sysprep?
You can run the Sysprep command up to 1001 times on a single Windows image. After running Sysprep 1001 times, you must recreate your Windows image. Refer the following table:
How does sysprep work?
Sysprep strips out registry settings and flips a switch, essentially, to tell the OS to revert to an "almost installed mode", or step 5 in the process listed above under "OS Installation Process from CD".
What does sysprep do?
What Sysprep does is pretty simple, and though there are variations on this, this process is pretty close, and is likely what you'll see when using DS. Strips out several settings like networking and such from the registry. Flips a switch in the OS that tells the OS that it's not done installing and will need to complete ...
What is the second part of Sysprep?
Instead, you may have noticed the second bullet - which talks about MiniSetup. The second part of the Sysprep "process" is actually completed by MiniSetup. MiniSetup is a portion of an OS installation most of us are intimately familiar with. It's the part that asks for your time zone, log-in name, stuff like that.
What does minisetup do?
Minisetup does a hardware detection and loads appropriate drivers based on what it finds (uses drivers from DeployAnywhere).
Is Sysprep a SID changer?
At this point, the other SID changers owned the market, but Sysprep was the only "supported" method, and relatively quickly, the smaller players died. Their history largely doesn't matter, unless it's with GhostWalker and SidGen - our utilities.
What is sysprep in Windows?
Prepares the Windows installation to be imaged. Sysprep removes all unique system information from the Windows installation. Sysprep resets the security ID (SID), clears any system restore points, and deletes event logs. For example:
What is OOBE in Sysprep?
OOBE enables end users to customize their Windows operating system, create user accounts, name the computer, and perform other tasks. Sysprep processes any settings in the oobeSystemconfiguration pass in an answer file before OOBE starts.
What does "restart" do in audit mode?
Restarts the computer into audit mode. Audit mode enables you to add additional drivers or applications to Windows. You can also test an installation of Windows before you send the installation to an end user.
Why upgrade to Microsoft Edge?
Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support.
Does Sysprep run without confirmation?
Runs the Sysprep tool without displaying on-screen confirmation messages. You can use this option if you automate the Sysprep tool.
