Now it’s time to practice what you've learned by using Sysprep to generalize a Windows installation. Once the image is copied to a disk, you’ll have a simple and effective means for deploying Windows. Show
Prepare the Image with SysprepBefore loading the image onto a disk and installing it on other workstations, you first must prepare the image, which is where Sysprep comes in. This operation involves five steps:
I will be doing my demonstration on VMWare Fusion, but it is possible to prepare an image using another piece of virtualization software (e.g., VirtualBox, Parallels) or on a physical computer (as you may have done in your company). For this, I’ll be using two partitions: one to install Windows and the other to copy the image that has been created. https://vimeo.com/549210757Command 1 for screencast - c:\Windows\System32\sysprep\sysprep.exe /audit Command 2 for screencast - .\adksetup.exe /quiet /installpath e:\ADK /features OptionID.DeploymentTools Put Windows 10 on Audit ModeTo do this, start a Windows installation on your computer. I recommend you have two hard drive partitions: one to install Windows and the other to copy the Windows installation into image form. When you reach this screen, press Ctrl+Shift+F3. Windows will then restart in audit mode, using the built-in admin account. Sysprep’s graphic mode will start up automatically but click cancel as we will use the command line method instead. System Preparation ToolAt this point, you can install all the required applications such as Firefox, Notepad++, etc. You can also personalize Windows (by creating a work folder). To create the image you will use as your model, Sysprep needs an XML file known as an answer file. Generate the Answer FileThis is the most complex part of this installation. You need to create an XML answer file, which Sysprep will use. Be aware that it will use whatever is defined in this XML file. What information is included in the XML file? Mainly the data you fill in when installing Windows, such as the keyboard method, language, etc. Filling in all this information takes precious time so having as much as possible already defined in the answer file means saving time with each installation. The structure of the answer file is quite complex, and if you make even a small mistake, Sysprep won’t work. But luckily, Microsoft has all bases covered. Download Windows ADKLaunch Microsoft Edge and search “download and install the Windows ADK.” The correct result takes you to the page displayed below. From there, download the latest version of Windows ADK for Windows 10, and when complete, launch the Windows ADK installer. Download Windows ADKSpecify the location for the installation and then click Next. Windows Assessment and Deployment KitOnly install the Deployment Tools. List of features to installInstallation ProcessThe application uses an ISO image of Windows 10 to create the answer file. You should already have access to this as you are currently installing Windows. Check out the screencast and text below to guide you through the next steps. https://vimeo.com/549210786
This ISO image is located in the installation DVD: D:\Source\install.esdThe DVD driveFiles on your discThe source folder Copy it into your Sysprep folder: C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep This image is an encrypted and compressed ESD file. You will need to convert it into a WIM file to use it. Generate an install.wim FileTo generate a WIM file, open PowerShell in administrator mode and enter the following command: cd C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep dism /Get-WimInfo /WimFile:install.esdFile index for the installation file This command provides you with a list of the current Windows editions in the installation file and their file index. Here, you can see Windows 10 Pro edition, and the index is 6. Next, type in the following command, entering the index number that you wish to select. dism /Export-Image /SourceImageFile:install.esd /SourceIndex:6 /DestinationImageFile:install.wim /Compress:Max /CheckIntegrityCreating an install.wim file Be patient while the install.wim file is being created! A typical image export takes between 20-25 minutes. Deployment image and management toolOnce this process is complete, your install.wim image will appear in the folder. Sysprep folderLaunch the Applicationhttps://vimeo.com/manage/videos/549210820Launch the installation assistant. You can find it by typing Windows System Image Manager in Cortana. Windows system image managerClick on File and then Select Windows image and select the image you created. Windows System Image ManagerIf the application asks you if you want to create a catalog file, click Yes. Windows image menuYou can finally create your answer file. Create an Answer FileAn answer file is divided into seven components which you will find in the Components folder. You’re interested in the first part, where you set up the language, the keyboard, the hard disks, etc. In Windows Image > Components select “amd64_Microsoft-Windows-International-Core-WinPE_XXX”. Windows componentsRight-click on SetupUILanguage and select Add Setting to Pass 1 windowsPE. Setup UI languageAdd your preferred language. The list of language packs is available here: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/default-input-locales-for-windows-language-packs. Click on SetupUILanguage and complete the UILanguage field. This field defines the language of the installation process. Selecting the languageThese are not the only possible settings. You can add details for everything you go through during an installation. Read this page to find out more: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/automate-windows-setup Validate the Answer FileThis step is simple but crucial. At this point, you find out whether or not you have made any mistakes. The small file you just created probably has no errors, and it would be easy to identify them if there were. When you are setting up an entire, more complex answer file in real life, you’ll be pleased to see that your file is valid! Validate the answer fileIn the toolbar, click on Validate Answer File. Any mistakes appear in the message section in the bottom-right corner. Save Your Answer File
You’re almost finished! All that’s left to do is to launch Sysprep. Launch SysprepLaunch the command line in administrator mode and type in the location of your Sysprep file. cd c:\windows\system32\sysprep sysprep /generalize /oobe /shutdown /unattend:unattend.xml
Your computer turns itself off, and your image is ready (well, almost)! You’ve prepared your image by starting Windows in audit mode, installing the programs you need, creating an answer file that enables you to skip certain steps of the Windows installation process, and launching Sysprep. Let's Recap!
You now need to copy your files onto an installation media, which is the focus of the final chapter. Let's finish our process in the next chapter! How do I create an unattended answer file in Windows 10?Create and modify an answer file. Step 1: Create a catalog file. Start Windows System Image Manager. ... . Step 2: Create an answer file. Click File > New Answer File. ... . Step 3: Add new answer file settings. Add OEM info: ... . Step 4: Save the answer file. ... . Step 5: Create a script.. What Microsoft tool do you use to create and manage Windows Setup answer files?Microsoft Windows System Image Manager (SIM) is a tool in the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit IT professionals can use to create and manage unattended setup answer files for Windows before installing the operating system.
How do I create an unattended install of Windows 10 Central?How To Auto-Setup Windows 10 Pro Using Unattended File?. Use a USB flash drive.. Use an existing answer file or create your own with Windows System Image Manager (Windows SIM).. Save the file as Autounattend. ... . On a new PC, insert a Windows installation USB flash drive, as well as the flash drive that contains Autounattend.. Where is the unattended answer file located?The name of the answer file must be Unattend. xml or Autounattend. xml, and must be located at the root of the Windows Setup folder path.
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