How to add custom settings when running Sysprep

When using the win 2003 system, it is indispensable to run the Sysprep program, but some users feel that it is often not enough during the operation. It is achievable to add custom user settings. This article describes how Windows Server 2003 adds custom user settings when running the Sysprep utility (Sysprep.exe).

When running Sysprep.exe, some user settings cannot be captured into a .reg file and applied when the installer completes, and it is not possible to script these settings and apply them to all new users. To resolve this issue, copy the custom user settings to the “DefaultUser” configuration file before running Sysprep.exe.

To perform the steps described in this section, your system must meet the following criteria:

Windows Server 2003 is fully installed and functional on your computer.

This computer is not part of a domain.

All user programs are pre-installed and functioning properly.

Note: If the client's desktop settings are stored in the user's profile, you can use the procedures described in this section to customize any aspect of these settings. For example, you can use this procedure to configure the “Automatically hide taskbars” option for all users and <;show small icons” in the ‘Start & rsquo; menu. You cannot use this procedure to customize settings that are stored outside of the user profile.

Use the following procedure to deploy custom power option settings for all new users.

Create a test user with administrator privileges

Log in to the computer as a local administrator.

Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Manage.

Note: If ActiveDirectory is installed, the “Local Users and Groups tool in the <quo;Computer Management" console will be disabled. If you want to perform this procedure from a domain controller computer with Active Directory installed, you must create a new user account through “ActiveDirectory Users and Computers.

Click “Local Users & Groups, right-click Users, and then click New User.

Type Testuser in the "username" box, type your password, click “Users need to change your password when you log in next time, clear it, and then click Create.

Close the New User dialog.