The Search Path Order for the Winbom.ini File When You Run Sysprep (294799)

SUMMARY

This article describes the path order that the Microsoft System Preparation (Sysprep) tool uses to locate a Winbom.ini Answer file. A Microsoft Windows XP-based computer in the Sysprep Factory mode uses a Winbom.ini file (an Answer file that is referred to as a "bill of materials" file) to guide the automated customization of the computer during its factory preinstallation process.

MORE INFORMATION

Sysprep uses the following path order to locate a Winbom.ini file:

The path and file name that is specified by the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Factory\Winbom
The root of all removable media drives that are not CD-ROM.
The root of all CD-ROM drives.
The location of the Factory.exe file, usually located in the \Sysprep folder.
The root of %Systemdrive%.

In the [factory] section of a Winbom.ini file, a path to the Winbom.ini file can be specified, if necessary. The syntax is:

[factory]
NewWinBom=path to new winbom

If the preceding entry exists in the Winbom.ini file, the path that NewWinBom points to is checked. If a Winbom.ini file exists at that location, that file is used instead. If the new Winbom.ini file also contains a NewWinbom entry, the process is repeated until Sysprep finds a Winbom.ini file that does not contain a NewWinBom entry (up to 10 Winbom.ini files can be chained in this manner but the settings are only used from the last Winbom.ini file in the chain).

NOTE: When you use Windows Preinstall Environment (WinPE) with a Winbom.ini file, the computer does not have network access at the point at which the Winbom.ini file is read, so the NewWinBom entry may not point to a network location.