sysprep- what does it do, I sorta know

It was on my desktop and I ran it(yikes). I think it's from when Dell did a remote repair??? well anyways PC rebooted and when into local admin account and looked like wanted to reset "out of box"... but with some playing around I was able to log back into my account. I think everything is back to normal... but will know over the days if anything FUBAR? comments please

thanks

Sysprep is used to prepare a Windows installation for the purpose of creating a custom installation.

A sample workflow might look something like this. Note this is simplified and leaves off details for sake of brevity:

1) Install Windows on a "reference system" and customize to your needs. Customization can include changes to Windows settings including personalization settings, installing apps, etc.

2) Run SYSPREP to "generalize" Windows. This removes the installation specific details such as SIDs so that a unique set of IDs are created on each system that the new image will be installed on.

3) Create a new Windows image file (this is the large INSTALL.WIM file located in the \sources folder of your installation media).

4) Replace the INSTALL.WIM file on your Windows media with your customized INSTALL.WIM file.

Now you have a new installation media customized to your needs.

If you are interested in reading more on the topic, here are some tutorials that cover this in detail. Note that these tutorials are from TenForums but they apply equally to Windows 11 with no changes at all.

This AM on boot it started to run again, can I just delete it, or how do I stop it from running on boot up?

PA WOODCHUCK said:

This AM on boot it started to run again, can I just delete it, or how do I stop it from running on boot up?

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Visit the link below for disabling "sysprep" at startup.

Sir_George said:

Visit the link below for disabling "sysprep" at startup.

How to stop SysPrep from starting

Having issues with sysprep popping up all the time? Follow the instructions below to stop that annoyance from happening.

luke.geek.nz

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Info is from 2012. Here's a capture

PA WOODCHUCK said:

Info is from 2012. Here's a captureView attachment 48464

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It appears that what was applicable back in 2012 is no longer applicable. Since I can't test the following on any of my computers, this is just speculation. When you are logged in do you have access to the "startup apps"? If so, is "sysprep" in the list? Delete it, if it is.

You mention that Dell support did a remote repair. They may have the solution.

Maybe this is a better choice, I have Acronis backup 5 days old. Should a recover get eerything back to normal? Found out I can't get HP printer to work even after reinstalling drivers.

PA WOODCHUCK said:

Maybe this is a better choice, I have Acronis backup 5 days old. Should a recover get eerything back to normal? Found out I can't get HP printer to work even after reinstalling drivers.

Click to expand...

It depends on what the backup contains. A "Full System Image" backup should work. Additionally, you shouldn't be any worse off then you are now.

Sir_George said:

It appears that what was applicable back in 2012 is no longer applicable. Since I can't test the following on any of my computers, this is just speculation. When you are logged in do you have access to the "startup apps"? If so, is "sysprep" in the list? Delete it, if it is.

You mention that Dell support did a remote repair. They may have the solution.

Click to expand...

It's not listed under startups, Dell said it's a software issue and that's $100 Tried to rename delete or move to another place!

PA WOODCHUCK said:

It was on my desktop and I ran it

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Dell should have their behinds kicked for leaving it on there as it is not something to be run unless there is a specific need to run it.

PA WOODCHUCK said:

It's not listed under startups, Dell said it's a software issue and that's $100 Tried to rename delete or move to another place!View attachment 48472

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Your new information provides another way you may be able to resolve this issue. See link below for details.

Sir_George said:

It depends on what the backup contains. A "Full System Image" backup should work. Additionally, you shouldn't be any worse off then you are now.

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Yes Full System Image about 1.7tb. I need to read up on task as never had to do recovery before. If I continue to continue as is now I'm sure going to find more issues?

PA WOODCHUCK said:

1.7tb

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Wow! That is one HUUUGE image. Is that just your C partition?

glasskuter said:

Wow! That is one HUUUGE image. Is that just your C partition?

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I have OS and programs on C:, 500GB D: 2TB files, folders, documents, E: 1TB only has microsoft flight simulator. I hope I can just recover/restore C:??? Not sure if arconis 2020 can do that... still researching

I use a different backup program but yes Acronis should allow you to recover only the partitions you choose.

To reduce the size of my images as well as make recovery a much more straightforward and faster effort , I do not put my C: into the same image as all my connected drives. I backup my OS boot drive separately and more often than the other 2 drives I have.

Ended up doing recovery from 8 day old backup. But another issue I'll start new posting.

So far only other issue was I had to reinstall MSFS 2020(flight sim).