The WDSClientUnattend.xml file may remain on the hard disk of a client computer after the Windows Vista installation fails on the computer

Consider the following scenario:

• You use a Windows Deployment Services (WDS) client unattended file to try to deploy Windows Vista on a client computer.
• The Windows Vista installation fails.

In this scenario, the WDS client unattended file, WDSClientUnattend.xml, may remain on the hard disk of the client computer.

Note The WDSClientUnattend.xml file may contain sensitive information such as domain credentials or a product key.

To resolve this problem, manually delete the WDSClientUnattend.xml file from the following folders on the client computer:

• C:\$WINDOWS$.~BT\Panther
• C:\Windows\Panther

In a successful installation, unattended files that are used in a WDS installation are deleted, exactly as the regular installation files are deleted. Additionally, all passwords will be deleted from the WDSClientUnattend.xml file. However, other sensitive data may still remain in the WDSClientUnattend.xml file.

If the installation is unsuccessful, the WDSClientUnattend.xml file may remain on the hard disk of the client computer, and no data will be removed from this file.

The "Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK) User's Guide for Windows Vista" contains information about how to delete sensitive data from the WDSClientUnattend.xml file. To download this User's Guide for Windows Vista, visit the following Microsoft Web site: