Sysprep Command-Line Syntax

Sysprep Command-Line Syntax

This topic describes the command
line syntax for the Windows Vista version of Sysprep.

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.
The next time you boot the Windows image, the specialize configuration
pass runs. During this configuration pass, many components have actions
that must be processed when you boot a Windows image on a new computer.
Any method of moving a Windows image to a new computer, either through
imaging, hard disk duplication, or other method, must be prepared with
the sysprep /generalize command. Moving or copying a Windows image to a
different computer without running sysprep /generalize is not
supported.

Sysprep Command-Line Options

The following command-line
options are available for Sysprep:

sysprep.exe [/oobe
| /audit] [/generalize] [/reboot
| /shutdown | /quit] [/quiet]
[/unattend:answerfile]

 

Option Description

/audit

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 it is sent to an end user.

If
an unattended Windows setup file is specified, the audit mode of
Windows Setup runs the auditSystem and auditUser configuration passes.

/generalize

Prepares
the Windows installation to be imaged. If this option is specified, all
unique system information is removed from the Windows installation. The
security ID (SID) resets, any system restore points are cleared, and
event logs are deleted.

The next time the computer starts, the
specialize configuration pass runs. A new security ID (SID) is created,
and the clock for Windows activation resets, if the clock has not
already been reset three times.

/oobe

Restarts the computer into Windows Welcome mode. Windows
Welcome enables end users to customize their Windows operating system,
create user accounts, name the computer, and other tasks. Any settings
in the oobeSystem configuration pass in an answer file are processed
immediately before Windows Welcome starts.

/reboot

Restarts
the computer. Use this option to audit the computer and to verify that
the first-run experience operates correctly.

/shutdown

Shuts
down the computer after Sysprep completes.

/quiet

Runs
Sysprep without displaying on-screen confirmation messages. Use this
option if you automate Sysprep.

/quit

Closes Sysprep after running the specified commands.

/unattend:answerfile

Applies settings in an answer file to Windows during
unattended installation.

answerfile

Specifies the
path and file name of the answer file to use.

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