Updated System Preparation tool for Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 (838080)

INTRODUCTION

Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) includes an updated version of the System Preparation tool (Sysprep.exe) for both Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Windows Server 2003. Sysprep.exe is located in the Windows XP SP2 Deployment Tools CAB file. Use this version of Sysprep.exe when you deploy Windows XP SP2, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005, or Windows Server 2003.

Note Windows XP SP2 features and components are included in Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005.

To obtain the latest version of the Deployment Tools, visit the following Microsoft Web site, and then click Deployment Tools:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=3E90DC91-AC56-4665-949B-BEDA3080E0F6

These tools are also available in the Support\Tools folder on the Windows XP SP2 product CD. For information about how to obtain the Windows XP SP2 product CD, visit the following Microsoft Web site, and then click Order Windows XP Service Pack 2 on CD:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/default810.mspx

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Microsoft Windows XP. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322389 How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack

MORE INFORMATION

The System Preparation tool

The Windows XP System Preparation tool enables administrators to prepare Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 system images as part of an automated deployment. This tool is an updated version of the Sysprep program that is included with Windows Server 2003.

You can use the System Preparation tool to perform the following tasks in a manner that is supported by Microsoft:

Prepare Windows for duplication from one computer to another computer.
Change security identifiers (SIDs) and other system and configuration settings to make them unique.
Configure user-specific information to be customized by the end-user when Windows starts the first time.
Create images of operating systems.
Duplicate disks.
Automate the Windows mini-Setup program.
Perform auditing tasks.

The Sysprep.inf file

The Sysprep.inf file is the answer file for the Sysprep.exe program. To build the Sysprep.inf file, run the Setup Manager Wizard. Select the Sysprep Answer file option.

The Deploy.cab folder

The Support\Tools\Deploy.cab folder includes detailed documentation that describes the latest features of the deployment tools and how to use them. The documentation includes the Sysprep.exe program.