Andrew N. Kowtalo
asked on
How to Properly Prepare Windows 10 with Sysprep to create a golden image
Does anyone have any real experience with Windows 10 Pro sysprep?
I just imaged an entire machine. When I completed the image I ran the sysprep tool and enabled audit mode. After boot the machine BSOD'ed. Am I supposed to run sysprep first, put it in audit mode, reboot and THEN install all the applications and drivers? Also am I not allowed to reboot the machine? I already ruined 1 unit I dont want to ruin another one.
Can I undo what I did by putting the machine back to out of box mode clicking shutdown to reset what I did get back to windows and then proceed from there? Or can you only sysprep the unit once?
I got in trouble by following a YouTube video which I thought would work now I feel pooched. I got to get this image created by the end of day.
I do not know how audit mode works vs out of box mode. Basically I want to put the machine so I can setup all the drivers and apps, and then make a macrium golden image of the machine before I shut it down.
I just imaged an entire machine. When I completed the image I ran the sysprep tool and enabled audit mode. After boot the machine BSOD'ed. Am I supposed to run sysprep first, put it in audit mode, reboot and THEN install all the applications and drivers? Also am I not allowed to reboot the machine? I already ruined 1 unit I dont want to ruin another one.
Can I undo what I did by putting the machine back to out of box mode clicking shutdown to reset what I did get back to windows and then proceed from there? Or can you only sysprep the unit once?
I got in trouble by following a YouTube video which I thought would work now I feel pooched. I got to get this image created by the end of day.
I do not know how audit mode works vs out of box mode. Basically I want to put the machine so I can setup all the drivers and apps, and then make a macrium golden image of the machine before I shut it down.
ASKER
I do not have access to a VMW environment I only have the 2 machines to work with. I have a tunnel setup from the watchguard application I am running on the unit so all the prep has to be done on this machine. What I need to know at the moment is how can I take the machine out of the sysprep mode I have it in get it back to default and then resetup sysprep again properly along with the application.
on first boot of a machine using a fresh image hit shift-ctrl-f3 to put the machine into audit mode.. when done do a sysprep /reseal shutdown now image that drive and place the image onto the other machine. It will start in OOBE with the applications you installed. Applications must not be a per-user application i.e. chrome
ASKER
David right now I have the sysprep box up with OOB or audit modem with the generic option checked. Should I change it to OOBE and click generic and shutdown so the machine reloads again and then do the shift ctrl F3?
have you already done the OOBE? The order on how you do things is important.
Microsoft's Take on Sysprep https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-vista/cc721940(v=ws.10)?redirectedfrom=MSDN
Microsoft's Take on Sysprep https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-vista/cc721940(v=ws.10)?redirectedfrom=MSDN
ASKER
Yes I took the machine out of the box set it up and then ran sysprep nothing else. I missed steps so how do I get the machine back to a fresh OOBE?
sysprep /reseal /shutdown
ASKER
David once I run this I am assuming this will bring me back to a fresh boot from there I can ctrl shift f3 and go into audit mode right? And where do I do this from?
Yes I took the machine out of the box set it up and then ran sysprep nothing else
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And where do I do this from?
From the initial screen. As shown in this Video.
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And where do I do this from?
From the initial screen. As shown in this Video.
ASKER
I found out that they budgeted 2 hours per machine install. It only takes me 40 minutes from start to finish from OOBE mounting on the domain installing all the apps etc about 40 mins including any external hardware that they have.
I tested the sysprep and it worked however one of the apps they use is causing sysprep to crash. I will just take them out of the box set them up manually and be done with it.
If we are ever in the need of setting up 1000 or more machines we can discuss this later thank you for the help.
I tested the sysprep and it worked however one of the apps they use is causing sysprep to crash. I will just take them out of the box set them up manually and be done with it.
If we are ever in the need of setting up 1000 or more machines we can discuss this later thank you for the help.
Consider learning the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit. SCCM is only good for >2000 machines. I've done entire schools with MDT and WDS
ASKER
Macrium would have worked just fine with a USB stick using windows PE environment and importing the image but I will look at that down the road.
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My *strong* recommendation is always use a VM for imaging. You don't need basic drivers in your image gumming uo the works (and sysprep does not strip drivers.)
Once you have that, you can start automating your imaging process using tools such as MDT. Then you can rebuild your image as needed in a repeatable way.
In short yes. Many folks, myself included, have plenty of experience with sysprep with Win10 (including 1903) and don't have this problem. Following g best practices can greatly reduce your stress and wasted time.