Sysprep (System Preparation) prepares a Windows installation. Sysprep is used to generalize the operating system. It could be windows client or windows server operating system. This is a free tool from Microsoft.
In simple terms, Sysprep removes PC-specific information from a Windows installation, so that this image can be installed on different PC. It removes UUID, SID, and other information which makes the image into the general image. UUID(universally unique identifier) and SID(Security Identifier) are assigned to each computer to make them unique in-network.
It removes the SID only on the computer you run the Sysprep. If you have multiple images then you have to run it on all computers to generalize them. You can run the Sysprep command up to 8 times on a single Windows image.
Sysprep Features
- Removes PC-specific information from the Windows image, including the PC’s security identifier (SID). It is known as a generalizing of the PC.
- Uninstalls PC-specific drivers from the Windows images.
- Prepares the PC for delivery to a customer by setting the PC to boot to OOBE.
- Sysprep works only PCs on the workgroup. If PC is in the domain then it will first remove it from the domain and then run the Sysprep commands.
Command line with Sysprep
Sysprep /generalize /shutdown – Sysprep removes all unique system information from the Windows installation and reset the SID.
Sysprep /generalize /shutdown /oobe – Restarts the computer into OOBE(Out Of Box Experience) mode. OOBE enables users to customize their Windows operating system, create user accounts, name the computer, and perform other tasks.