Sysprep WITHOUT creating new user

windows-7 deployment sysprep

32,597

Solution 1

When at the OOBE setup, pres CTRL+SHIFT+F3 to enter audit mode. You're actually logged into the admin account. From there you can make changes to the system before deployment. You'll likely want to look into building an answerfile for unattended setup and to ensure drivers persist past generalization.

See this resource for more info: Preparing an Image Using Sysprep and ImageX

Solution 2

Create an answer file, and set the following two options to True:

SkipMachineOOBE
SkipUserOOBE

You will find these options in phase 7: oobeSystem, under Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup.

Update

You need to edit your Unattend.xml file using AIK from Microsoft to add these two options.
Also, you can manually edit the file using notepad or another text editor.
Look for:

<settings pass="oobeSystem">

Then under that section look for:

<component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup"    >

Under that section add:

<OOBE>
    <HideEULAPage>true</HideEULAPage>
    <HideWirelessSetupInOOBE>true</HideWirelessSetupInOOBE>
    <NetworkLocation>Work</NetworkLocation>
    <SkipMachineOOBE>true</SkipMachineOOBE>
    <SkipUserOOBE>true</SkipUserOOBE>
</OOBE>

Solution 3

I know that this is an old posting ... but I'm surprised nobody pointed this out sooner. As this is still valid and useful, it should be noted that the two options in the unnattend answer file which should be set to "true" are:

SkipMachineOOBE and SkipUserOOBE

"ITProStuff" erroneously lists SkipMachineOOBE twice ... I'm sure it was simply a typo, but to help others looking for clarity and understanding.

Solution 4

Following @ITProStuff answer, here is a minimal unattend.xml file.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">
  <settings pass="oobeSystem">
    <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
      <OOBE>
        <SkipMachineOOBE>true</SkipMachineOOBE>
        <SkipUserOOBE>true</SkipUserOOBE>
      </OOBE>
    </component>
  </settings>
</unattend>

To use it, just add /unattend:[path_to_unattend.xml] to your sysprep command line. Set processorArchitecture to x86 if you make it for a 32bit Windows.

View more solutions

32,597

inkx

Updated on September 18, 2022

Comments

inkx almost 2 years

I have install a ghost server and i would like to deploy many Windows 7 64 bits. Before creating the master i must sysprep it but i would like to know how to sysprering without create a new user after restart of the computer.

thanks !
- Ramhound almost 10 years
  
  Why would you need to create a new user? This is the reason accounts like Administrator exist.
- Ramhound almost 10 years
  
  So log into the user that already exists.
- inkx almost 10 years
  
  can't, after syspreping computer start like the first time and add tu select your language, time zone, username etc...
inkx almost 10 years

Anyway to add directly a file like unattend.xml who say "after syspreping don't create user just boot normally" ?
ITProStuff almost 10 years

you need to edit your unattend.xml file using AIK tool from Microsoft; to add thus two options
inkx almost 10 years

Ok thanks but i must use AIK anyway to add manually the .xml file with only OOBE settings and not configure other parameter ?
ITProStuff almost 10 years

When you open the xml file with AIK tool, it will show you all configured parameters, and allow you to add, delete, change other settings
inkx almost 10 years

ok but how create the xml file ?
ITProStuff almost 10 years

Here is a quick tutorial theitbros.com/…
Colyn1337 almost 10 years

@ITProStuff Just a minor correction, but the AIK is not required for building the unattend file. It's simply XML, if you know the tags to use you can (and I do) edit it with just a text editor.
inkx almost 10 years

@ITProStuff i saw this tutorial but i would to create it WITHOUT AIK.. @Colyn1337 and i want to do like this but i have no idea what i must put in (except fort the OOBE part now)
Kinnectus almost 10 years

What do you want to happen at "boot normally" - a user, at some point, must be created - unless your machines join to a domain...?
DavidPostill almost 8 years

This is really a comment and not an answer to the original question. To critique or request clarification from an author, leave a comment below their post - you can always comment on your own posts, and once you have sufficient reputation you will be able to comment on any post. Please read Why do I need 50 reputation to comment? What can I do instead?
Gorodeckij Dimitrij over 6 years

I use this one windowsafg.no-ip.org to generate simple xml
Nick W. over 5 years

On at least windows 10 skipping Machine OOBE will not Change the SID which means the system will have issues when used on a Active Directory Domain.