Sysprep.inf

Sysprep.inf is an optional answer file that you can use to automate Mini-Setup. Normally, when Mini-Setup runs, it prompts the end user for some standard information to configure the computer. However, if Sysprep.inf is present, Mini-Setup uses information in Sysprep.inf instead of prompting the end user. By using Sysprep.inf, you can have Mini-Setup prompt the end user for certain information, or you can create a completely automated installation that does not prompt the end user for information at all.

Location of Sysprep.inf

The Sysprep.inf file must reside in the same location as Sysprep.exe and Setupcl.exe. These Sysprep files must in the %SYSTEMDRIVE%\Sysprep folder, located on the hard disk of the destination computer.

If you run Sysprep.exe from %SYSTEMDRIVE%\Sysprep, Sysprep removes the entire folder and its contents.

Syntax of Sysprep.inf

The syntax of Sysprep.inf is similar to that of the unattended Setup answer file, Unattend.txt. Sysprep.inf supports a subset of the sections and entries supported by Unattend.txt, plus a few Sysprep-specific entries. You can use Setup Manager to create the Sysprep.inf file.

The following two tables list the sections that you can include in the Sysprep.inf file. Note that many sections and entries are interdependent.

The [Unattended] and [GuiUnattended] sections support different entries in Unattend.txt and Sysprep.inf:

Section	Comparisons Between Unattend.txt and Sysprep.inf
[GuiUnattended]	Contains a core subset of the entries from the [GuiUnattended] section in Unattend.txt that are set during GUI-mode Setup. Both Sysprep and Unattend.txt support the following entries: AdminPassword AutoLogon AutoLogonCount OemSkipRegional OemSkipWelcome TimeZone In addition, Sysprep supports the following entry that Unattend.txt does not support: OEMDuplicatorString
[Unattended]	Contains a core subset of entries from the [Unattended] section in Unattend.txt that Sysprep uses. Both Sysprep and Unattend.txt support the following entries: ExtendOemPartition OemPnPDriversPath OemSkipEula Sysprep supports the following entries that Unattend.txt does not support: InstallFilesPath KeepPageFile ResetSourcePath TapiConfigured UpdateHAL UpdateInstalledDrivers UpdateUPHAL

Section

Comparisons Between Unattend.txt and Sysprep.inf

[GuiUnattended]

Contains a core subset of the entries from the [GuiUnattended] section in Unattend.txt that are set during GUI-mode Setup. Both Sysprep and Unattend.txt support the following entries:

In addition, Sysprep supports the following entry that Unattend.txt does not support:

OEMDuplicatorString

[Unattended]

Contains a core subset of entries from the [Unattended] section in Unattend.txt that Sysprep uses. Both Sysprep and Unattend.txt support the following entries:

Sysprep supports the following entries that Unattend.txt does not support:

Both Sysprep.inf and Unattend.txt use the following sections:

Section	Description
[Display]	Specifies display settings for the graphics device. Supports the same set of entries as Unattend.txt.
[GuiRunOnce]	Contains a list of commands to execute the first time an end user logs on to the computer after GUI-mode Setup completes. Supports the same set of entries as Unattend.txt.
[Identification]	Specifies the network identification entries of the computer. Supports the same set of entries as Unattend.txt.
[IEPopupBlocker]	Contains entries for specifying the settings of the Pop-up Blocker tool.
[LicenseFilePrintData]	Includes server licensing entries. Supports the same set of entries as Unattend.txt.
[Networking]	Configures network capability. This section is required when configuring network protocols in unattended Setup or when using Sysprep. However, no entries are required within this section. The syntax is the same as in Unattend.txt.
[RegionalSettings]	Configures locale and language settings, provided the correct language files are available on the computer's hard disk. For more information, see InstallFilesPath. Supports the same set of entries as Unattend.txt.
[TapiLocation]	Includes the Telephony API (TAPI) entries. The values set in this section are valid only if a modem is present on the computer. Supports the same set of entries as Unattend.txt.
[UserData]	Includes user-specific entries. Supports the same set of entries as Unattend.txt.

Important

Any settings specified in [RegionalSettings] in Unattend.txt do not persist if Sysprep runs on the computer, unless you also specify the corresponding settings in Sysprep.inf.

Only Sysprep.inf uses the following sections:

Section	Description
[Sysprep]	Automatically generates the entries in the [SysprepMassStorage] section.
[SysprepMassStorage]	Enables you to use the same image on computers with different mass-storage devices.

You can run additional programs at the end of Mini-Setup by providing a Cmdlines.txt file in your Sysprep folder. Mini-Setup can then run Cmdlines.txt just as GUI-mode Setup does.

Note

Commands that make changes to an end user's preferences do not replicate to end users if they run from Cmdlines.txt during Mini-Setup.

To run Cmdlines.txt during Mini-Setup

In the distribution folder, create:
%SYSTEMDRIVE%\Sysprep\i386\$OEM$
Copy Cmdlines.txt to the %SYSTEMDRIVE%\Sysprep\i386\$OEM$ folder.

In Sysprep.inf, add:

[Unattended]
InstallFilesPath = C:\Sysprep\i386

Run Sysprep.