Answer File for System Preparation Tool Is Not Removed After Completion

An answer file that is used by the Windows NT System Preparation tool (Sysprep.exe) is not removed when the mini-Setup wizard is complete.

If you use an answer file to automate the mini-Setup wizard, Sysprep.exe copies the file to the %SystemRoot%\System32\$nt4pre$.inf file. When the mini-Setup wizard starts, it looks for this file and uses it if it is present.

However, this file may contains the local administrator's password (if you specify the "AdminPassword = password parameter. This password is displayed in clear text.

To work around this issue, use any of the following methods:

• Delete the file listed above after Setup is finished. The RunOnce registry keys do work with Sysprep, so you can use these keys to accomplish this task.
• You can specify the administrator password you want to use before running Sysprep.exe. If you are automating the mini-Setup wizard by using an answer file, place the following parameter in the file:
  AdminPassword = "*"
  This allows a blank administrator password. Because the password is not null before you run Sysprep, the password remains unchanged.
  
  
• Leave the "AdminPassword" key out of the answer file. Enter the password manually during the mini-Setup wizard.