The most commonly used tool for preparing a computer is the System Preparation Tool, or Sysprep (sysprep.exe). This Microsoft tool is installed in the %WINDIR%system32sysprep directory and solves the problem of duplicate SID numbers. The Sysprep tool removes all computer-specific information from an image, including the SID numbers and computer-specific drivers. It also prepares the Windows installation for an Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE), which involves setting a computer to boot to audit mode, allowing you to change the installation in more detail. Using Sysprep, you can prepare a generalized image that can be used to deploy computers with unique security identifiers.
If you use Sysprep to capture an NTFS partition, any encrypted files or folders will be unusable and corrupt.
The Sysprep tool supports several switches that control its behavior and features:
|
Sysprep switch |
Description |
| /generalize |
Prepares a computer for imaging and deletes all unique system information. It also removes the SID and clears event logs and any system restore points. |
| /oobe |
Restarts a computer in OOBE mode and shows the welcome screen after the computer restarts. You can then accept the end user license agreement, customize the installation by creating user accounts, and select the language, keyboard, and time zone. |
| /audit |
Boots a computer to audit mode to customize the installation and add device drivers and applications. |
| /mode:vm |
Prepares a Virtual Hard Disk (VHD). You can then deploy the generalized VHD on the same hypervisor or virtual machine. The host on which you will deploy the prepared VHD needs to have the same hardware profile. Deploying a VHD to a virtual machine with a different hardware profile can cause unexpected behavior and issues. The only switches that work with the /mode:vm switch are /shutdown, /quit, and /reboot. You can only run the /mode:vm switch from inside a virtual machine. Running the VM switch from outside a virtual machine is not supported. |
|
/shutdown |
Shuts down the computer after the Sysprep tool finishes preparing the Windows installation. |
|
/reboot |
Restarts the computer after the Sysprep process finishes. |
|
/quiet |
Runs the Sysprep tool without displaying process messages. |
|
/quit |
Does not reboot or restart a computer after the Sysprep tool finishes. |
|
/unattend:<answerfile> |
Uses an answer file to apply settings to a Windows installation. |
The high-level overview steps to prepare a Windows installation for imaging using Sysprep are as follows:
- Install a Windows Server 2016 operating system.
- Install all necessary applications, device drivers, services, features, and files that will be applied to cloned computers.
- Run Sysprep.exe to prepare the computer for imaging. You can double-click on %WINDIR%System32Sysprep.exe or run Sysprep.exe from the command line with the following code: Sysprep.exe /generalize.
- When the Sysprep command finishes, use an imaging tool to capture a prepared installation.