Applies To
Windows 8.1 Enterprise Windows 8.1 Pro Windows 8.1 Surface Pro 3

Symptoms

When you run Sysprep.exe on Microsoft Surface Pro 3, you may receive the following error messages:

Sysprep was not able to validate your Windows installation. Review the log file at %windir%\system32\Sysprep\panther\setupact.log for details.  After resolving the issue use Sysprep to validate your installation again. Reviewing the setupact.log may show the following errors:2014-11-03 20:57:55, Error                 SYSPRP BitLocker-Sysprep: BitLocker is on for the OS volume. Turn BitLocker off to run Sysprep. (0x80310039)[gle=0x00000001]2014-11-03 20:57:55, Error      [0x0f0082] SYSPRP ActionPlatform::LaunchModule: Failure occurred while executing 'ValidateBitLockerState' from C:\Windows\System32\BdeSysprep.dll; dwRet = 0x80310039[gle=0x00000001]2014-11-03 20:57:55, Error                 SYSPRP SysprepSession::Validate: Error in validating actions from C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\ActionFiles\Generalize.xml; dwRet = 0x803100392014-11-03 20:57:55, Error                 SYSPRP RunPlatformActions:Failed while validating SysprepSession actions; dwRet = 0x803100392014-11-03 20:57:55, Error      [0x0f0070] SYSPRP RunExternalDlls:An error occurred while running registry sysprep DLLs, halting sysprep execution. dwRet = 0x803100392014-11-03 20:57:55, Error      [0x0f00d8] SYSPRP WinMain:Hit failure while pre-validate sysprep generalize internal providers; hr = 0x80310039If you run manage-bde -status command it will show the following:Disk volumes that can be protected withBitLocker Drive Encryption:Volume C: [OSDisk][OS Volume]    Size:                 118.34 GB    BitLocker Version:    2.0    Conversion Status:    Encryption in Progress    Percentage Encrypted: 97.8%    Encryption Method:    AES 128    Protection Status:    Protection Off    Lock Status:          Unlocked    Identification Field: Unknown    Key Protectors:       None Found 

Note This issue can occur on any system that supports connected standby.

Cause

This issue occurs because Windows automatically starts encrypting drives by using BitLocker on Windows 8.1-based computers that support InstantGo (connected standby).

Resolution

To resolve this issue, in Command Prompt as an administrator, run the following command:manage-bde -off c:Notes

  • The command may take some time to fully decrypt the drive. You can run the manage-bde -status command to monitor progress.

  • When full decryption is complete, you can run Sysprep.exe again.

  • To prevent this issue during the initial install of Windows, set the PreventDeviceEncryption value to True in the unattend.xml file during the out-of-body experience (OOBE) phase to build the reference image. For more information, see the PreventDeviceEncryption.

More Information

After you set the value in the unattend.xml file, the following registry subkey and registry entry is created:

Subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\BitLockerName: PreventDeviceEncryptionType: REG_DWORDData: 0x00000001

Need more help?

Want more options?

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.