Does sysprep delete files from admin account's desktop?

Question

Hi. I've integrated some updates in win7 using audit mode. It seems i forgot to remove some .msu standalone update packages from admin's desktop. And now i'm afraid they can be inside my .wim image and make it more large.

Does sysprep remove files from desktop?

Answer 1

Hi Igor

No, Sysprep does not delete files from the admin account's desktop. Sysprep is a utility that prepares a Windows operating system for duplication, deployment, or capture. It does this by removing unique identifiers from the system, such as the computer name, product key, and SID. Sysprep can also be used to generalize a Windows operating system, which makes it ready for deployment to multiple users.

However, Sysprep does not delete any user data, such as files, folders, or settings. This means that any files that are stored on the admin account's desktop will remain there after Sysprep is run.

If you want to delete files from the admin account's desktop, you can do so manually. To do this, open File Explorer and navigate to the admin account's desktop. Select the files that you want to delete and press the Delete key. You can also right-click on the files and select Delete from the context menu.

Please note that deleting files from the admin account's desktop may have unintended consequences. For example, if you delete a file that is used by a program, the program may not work properly. It is therefore recommended that you back up any important files before deleting them.

Answer 2

I am confused. I did sysrep command for reasons I am unable to explain and after when my pc started all settings from beginning and I had to create new account then all my files were gone. Does this sysrep creates a clone of somekind and is my original admin account which I created when I first had my pc and are my files still somewhere in the hard drive?

Answer 3

Hi tim-886 , Sysprep is a utility in Windows that prepares an operating system for duplication, deployment, or capture. Let me clarify a few points about Sysprep:

1. Purpose of Sysprep:  Generalization: When you want to deploy a Windows image to new PCs, you need to first generalize the image. Generalization removes computer-specific information, such as installed drivers and the computer security identifier (SID).  Unique Identifiers: Sysprep removes unique identifiers from the system, including the computer name, product key, and SID.  Ready for Deployment: It makes the image ready for deployment to multiple users.
2. What Sysprep Does Not Do:  User Data: Sysprep does not delete any user data, such as files, folders, or settings. Your files stored on the admin account’s desktop will remain there after running Sysprep.  Account Cloning: It does not create a clone of your original admin account. Your original account still exists, but Sysprep prepares the system for deployment by removing specific identifiers.
3. Your Situation:  When you ran Sysprep, it likely reset your system settings and created a new account. However, your original admin account and its files should still be on the hard drive.  To access your original files, follow these steps:  Check Existing Accounts: Confirm if your original admin account still exists. Go to the login screen and see if you can switch users or find your old account.  File Recovery: If you can’t find your old account, you may need to recover your files manually. Navigate to the original account’s folder (usually under C:\Users\YourUsername) and retrieve your files. Remember to back up any important files before making changes. If you encounter any issues, seek professional assistance to ensure data safety.