Reset all accounts and start account wizard on next start.

Psyfer9983 · 21 Oct 2011

Hello, first off I'm new. Second and the reason for this post is that I work on PC. I do system reloads, rebuilds, and build new custom systems. I would like to know if any body knows how to delete all accounts and start the account wizard that runs when Windows starts for the first time. The reason for this is that I have to make an account to install drivers, programs, etc.. before the end user receives the final product. I would like a way to delete all accounts and start the account wizard, like it does for the first time run of Windows, for the end user. Any help would be great. Also, if this is in the wrong place, please direct me to the correct category. THANKS!!!

Roderunner · 22 Oct 2011

Why not just create a new admin account in the owner's name, delete the one you made, then let the customer add others as required.

Corazon · 22 Oct 2011

Roderunner said:

Why not just create a new admin account in the owner's name, delete the one you made, then let the customer add others as required.

Because most customers will never do this and just end up running the admin account instead...which is kinda unsafe if they're not Windows experts...

Roderunner · 23 Oct 2011

Every OS must have at least one admin account, its up to the owner to decide otherwise.

Corazon · 23 Oct 2011

True, you got me there. But I can just see customers complaining about whichever generic account name they end up with and wanting to know how they can change the name.

Anyway, I don't even know how to get the account wizard to run again other than by using SysPrep. I'm not familiar with it and only understand it's used to generalize an existing system and make it hardware-independent, so it can be transferred to different hardware and allowed to re-detect all necessary drivers. (Part of that process also involves making Windows become "virgin" again and run like it does for the first time.)

Roderunner · 23 Oct 2011

I have never heard of an account wizard, unless its on other OS types other than Windows.

Kari · 23 Oct 2011

Hi Psyfer, welcome to the Seven Forums.

This is in fact quite easy procedure. Do like this:

When Windows 7 installation, after a few reboots, reaches the point where it asks credentials for the initial account and computer name (see the screenshot below), instead of creating an account just press CTRL + SHIFT + F3:
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This makes Windows to reboot into a so called Audit Mode. No user accounts are created, Windows is now using the built-in Administrator account. When Audit Mode starts, choose your preferred network and click Cancel when asked if you want to create / join Homegroup (notice that these two steps are shown only if the PC is connected to the network / Internet. If not, proceed from next step):
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Click Cancel to close System Preparation Tool for now:
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Do all your modifications, install / uninstall what you want to prepare the computer for the customer
When done, right click C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\Sysprep.exe and choose Run as administrator to open System Preparation Tool (sysprep):
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Select Out-of-Box Experience in System Cleanup Action
Select Shutdown in Shutdown Options
Click OK

Computer shuts down, and next time it is booted it is so called first boot (Out-of-Box Experience), stopping to ask initial user profile name and computer name. This way you can prepare the PC without creating any user accounts or naming the PC, letting the end user to do that.

That's it.

Kari

Read more: Customize Windows in Audit Mode

Dinesh · 14 Nov 2011

Great post Kari. Though I knew about the sysprep tool, the audit mode was new to me.

Kari · 14 Nov 2011

Dinesh said:

Great post Kari. Though I knew about the sysprep tool, the audit mode was new to me.

Thanks, Dinesh :). I made a tutorial of this an hour or so ago: Windows 7 Installation - Prepare PC to be Sold

Kari