Skip to main content

Windows Sysprep Guide

Windows.pngWindows.png

ImagingIcon.png

Use

this

guide

when
preparing

This Guide will prepare youra Windows devicesreference todevice befor capturedcapture and deployeddeployment with FileWave Network IVS.

ComputerBefore Imaging is an important part of Life Cycle Management. Creating and deploying Windows images requires runningcapturing the Systemimage, Preparationrun (Sysprep)Microsoft tool.Sysprep. Sysprep removes system-specific data from Windows,Windows ensuringand a successful restoration ofprepares the image,image andto createscomplete a "generalized" Windows installation that will then be ready for configuration atsetup the next bootup.time it starts.

If

Create youror organization requires an answer file, below is a step-by-step guide on creatingvalidate an answer file

for

An Sysprepanswer file is only needed if you want to completelyautomate automateWindows setup or OOBE choices after the image is deployed. If you do use one, create or validate it before running Sysprep.

The Microsoft-supported method is Windows System Image Manager, which is included with the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK). Use ADK/Windows SIM that matches the Windows setup.version you are preparing as closely as possible.

Creating

Third-party generators can be helpful for building a Sysprepstarting unattendedpoint, answerbut fileFileWave

Testeddoes onnot Windowsown 10or validate their output. If you use one, review the XML and 11

test

Atit thisin point,a youlab canbefore eitherusing it for a master image.

Skip this and have no answer file or an empty answer file (not recommended)Generator

ItIf isa highlygenerator recommendedincludes thatWindows generatedPE, answerdisk filespartitioning, beor usedUEFI/GPT settings, check those settings carefully. For UEFI/GPT systems, Microsoft documents the EFI System Partition as FAT32 with matchinga Windowsminimum releases,size e.g,of 21H2200 answer file with Windows 11 21H2, etc.  MB.

Answer File Generator

Tested on Windows 10 1909 and 2004

    3rd Party Answer File Generator (AFG) tool: https://schneegans.de/windows/unattend-generator/ 

    3rd Party Tool

    The following are example links to online tools that will generate

    Check the XML:reference

      Win 10/11 MBR - http://windowsafg.com/win10x86_x64.html Win 10/11 UEFI - https://www.windowsafg.com/win10x86_x64_uefi.html 
        Customers have reported unsuccessful image deployment of Windows 10 2004 from this tool

        Manually

        Installing the Windows Automated Installation Kit for Windows

        First we'll need to install the Windows Automated Installation Kit (Win AIK) on your technician machine. Follow the on screen prompts for your Windows AIK version.

          Win 10/11 - https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/windows-assessment-deployment-kit

          Check Disk

          device

          Run the Check Disk command before yourSysprep. Sysprep the image. This will ensure the disk is cleared of any errors. The below commands are run inOpen Command Prompt run as administrator.administrator and run:

          chkdsk /R
shutdown -/r -/t 0

          UseIf aWindows administratorsays commandthe promptdisk is in use, choose to runschedule the commandscheck andfor reboot

          waik21.png

          the next restart, then restart with the second command.

          chkdsk2.png

          System Prepare with

          Run Sysprep

          OnceAfter Check Disk (chkdsk) has completedcompletes and theWindows machinestarts is back in Windows,again, run theSysprep commandfrom belowan (if you have no unattend XML file you may use the second command) withadministrator Command PromptPrompt.

          as

          With administratoran toanswer Sysprep your machine:file:

          C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\sysprep.exe /generalize /oobe /shutdown /unattend:PATHC:\Sysprep\unattend.xml
          TO

          If SYSPREPthe ANSWERanswer FILEfile XMLpath orcontains spaces, quote the path:

          C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\sysprep.exe /generalize /oobe /shutdown /unattend:"C:\Path With Spaces\unattend.xml"

          Without an answer file:

          C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\sysprep.exe /generalize /oobe /shutdown

          waik22.png
          waik23.png
          waik24.png

          When

          SysyprepSysprep will preparefinishes, the machinedevice toshuts bedown. copiedAt andthat shutdown. You are now ready topoint, upload yourthe Mastermaster Imageimage to the FileWave Imaging Appliance.

          To

          If continueSysprep thisor workflowdeployment fails

            Confirm the /unattend: path points to the actual XML file on the reference device. Avoid spaces in the answer file path, or quote the path as shown above. Review C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\Panther\setupact.log and C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\Panther\setuperr.log. Run Sysprep again without an answer file. If that works, focus on the answer file, generator choices, or partitioning settings. If UEFI/GPT or EFI partition behavior is involved, compare the answer file or generated Windows PE script with Microsoft guidance for UEFI/GPT partitions. If Sysprep succeeds but capture thisor asdeployment afails, Mastertroubleshoot ImageFileWave see:Network IVS separately. Windows Network Imaging - PXE Booting Microsoft: Sysprep overview Microsoft: Sysprep command-line options Microsoft: Configure UEFI/GPT-based hard drive partitions
            Back to top