Windows 7 Image - Customize in Audit Mode with Sysprep

Kari said:

Javierrrr said:

Quick question. When installing the WAIK, do I have to do it on the machine that would be used as source for the image, or can I do it on my laptop and then move the answe file to that machine?

Hi Javier, welcome to the Seven Forums.

You can use any computer to create your answer files, it does not have to be to one you are customizing. I'm using the latest build of Windows 10 to make answer files for Windows 7 and 8 systems. In fact, if you are up to it, you can simply type the answer file in Notepad on one computer, copy it to USB drive, connect that drive to the computer you are sysprepping and run the sysprep telling that the answer file is located on the USB drive.

Short: it's totally irrelevant how and on what computer you create your answer file. The only important thing is that when you sysprep, the answer file is located so that the machine you are sysprepping can find it.

Kari

Thanks Kari. That is what I thought but if I read the instructions correctly, they seem to imply that you are installing on the source machine. I believe that is even bad, because the image would contain the WAIK. My I suggest this is clarified on the instructions? Thanks

Kari said:

There's nothing to clarify. If you do not want to WAIK to be installed in the final image, uninstall it before sysprepping. Logical!

I believe 99.9999% of the users would NOT want the WAIK installed. But for me, it looks like you are telling to install it on the source image which is confusing.

Kari said:

How can this be so difficult? If you install WAIK on your reference computer to make an answer file, you are allowed to use common sense and logics: when done with creating the answer file, simply disable all the features and uninstall all programs you don't want in the production image before sysprepping.

What can I tell you. Are you 100% sure that if I instal the WAIK and then I do an uninstall it would remove ALL files from the system and all registry keys? Wouldn't it be simpler to add a line that says "While it can be done, It is better not to install the WAIK on the source machine as either you leave it there and it appears on all images, or you uninstall it before imaging and you risk some leftover files."

Kari said:

No, it would not be better. In many cases it is better to create and edit the answer file on the reference computer.

"...You risk some leftover files." What? How on earth could a few leftover files or registry entries be an issue if you uninstall WAIK before sysprepping? They do not harm the PC at all, not slow it down, nothing. Registry cleaning does usually more harm to the computer than leaving it as it is; using myself as an example I have not used any registry cleaners nor cleaned registry manually since I stopped using XP 10 years ago. Not a single time.

I will not change a word in this tutorial. It's purpose is to demystify the sysprep process used in customizing images in corporate environment and bring this useful process to normal users, show how easy and flexible it is to use on your own private PC. Most private users only have one PC, when they follow this tutorial and customize their Windows it's that PC they have to use.

WAIK being present in the end product does not harm the PC, it does not slow it down, it has absolutely no negative effect in the PC. But, if you do not want it, uninstall it before sysprepping. Logical.

Kari

I’m just making a suggestion so that your wonderful tutorial is even better. In my experience is no good to install ANY software that you don’t really plan to use on an image. You never know what problem the uninstaller can cause. The more software you install the more updates you would require. And the more possibilities of bugs. But let’s say it is ok to install the WAIK on the source machine… shouldn’t you be telling to uninstall it before doing the image?