Customized information is lost on a Windows Vista-based computer if you restart the computer while you are running the OOBE Wizard for the first time

Consider the following scenario

• You purchase a computer that has Windows Vista preinstalled.
• You run the Out of Box Experience (OOBE) Wizard during the setup process for the first time.
• You restart the computer while the wizard is running.

In this scenario, you discover that certain customized information is lost after the OOBE Wizard has finished running.

This issue occurs because the oobeSystem pass in the Unattend.xml file is incorrectly marked as completed before the OOBE Wizard actually runs.

If you shut down the computer for any reason while you are running the OOBE Wizard, the OOBE Wizard starts again after you restart the computer. However, the OOBE Wizard does not process the oobeSystem pass again because the waspassprocessed field is incorrectly marked as true, or completed. Therefore, certain customized information is lost.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace a previously released hotfix.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Vista, x86-based versions

Windows Vista, 64-bit versions

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.