Summary. This article describes some of the factors that affect whether the Microsoft Windows System Preparation (Sysprep) image of a Windows installation together with installed programs is successful in creating a correctly functioning image.

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.

Fixes an issue in which Windows crashes and does not restart after you run the "mountvol /n" command and then try to run the "sysprep /generalize" command. This issue occurs on a computer that is running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2.

Get Skype Download, install, and upgrade support for your Skype for Windows desktop and stay connected with friends and family from wherever you are.

Press the Windows and R keys on your keyboard at the same time. Type appwiz.cpl in the Run dialog and select OK. Find Skype in the list, right-click it and select Remove or Uninstall. (If you can’t find Skype in your installed programs, follow the directions here ). Download and install the latest version of Skype.

If some Windows functions aren't working or Windows crashes, use the System File Checker to scan Windows and restore your files. Though the steps below might look complicated at first glance, just follow them in order, step-by-step, and we’ll try to get you back on track.

You use Sysprep.exe to reseal the image. You boot the computer and start the OOBE process. At the beginning of OOBE, you attempt to use the Windows on screen keyboard to press CTRL+SHIFT+F3, which should reboot Windows back into Sysprep audit mode.

Symptom. When you use the System Preparation Tool (Sysprep) to apply the FolderLocations unattend settings, some system directory junctions do not point to the new target location. The following system directory junctions continue to point to the old locations: C:\Documents and Settings continues to point to C:\Users.

Select the Start button, then type control panel in the search box next to the Start button on the taskbar and select Control Panel (Desktop app) from the results. Search Control Panel for Recovery, and select Recovery > Open System Restore > Next . Choose the restore point related to the problematic app, driver, or update, and then select Next ...