Do I need to sysprep to distribute the backup to other machines with Veeam?

[marcio.ligi]

Do I need to sysprep before distributing the backup to other machines with Veeam?
I have a Windows PC ready with all needed software, I want to make an ISO image copy of this PC to distribute it to other PCs when a new one must be set up, so that I don't have to install all needed software and make OS and network config every time.
I know there could be an issue with Windows SID and license if the PCs are on the same network, so if I sysprep the PC and then use Veeam to bare metal backup, will I have problems with SID when I deploy the image on the new PCs?

Thanks

[kubimike]

after you do a restore just run sysprep.exe /generalize. you could always use windows deployment and mdt makes it a lot easier

[marcio.ligi]

ok so not using Veeam bare metal backup? it seems quite easy to me the Veeam one. Just not sure if will make a mess with the SID.
windows deployment and mdt are easier? I will check them out

[kubimike]

You can use it Im just saying Ive done mass rollouts and booting PXE with Windows Deployment and MDT makes image management EZ. So easy a cave man could do it/geico .

[marcio.ligi]

but sorry just to be sure I should do the sysprep on the PC I want to backup before backing it up right?
Not on the one I should upload the backup.

[kubimike]

its ideal to sysprep the machine before capturing an image, that way when it boots the OOBE handles the rest. You can sysprep it after imaging it just two extra reboots required for each machine. I can't think of why this would be a bad reason at the moment, but sounds like one.

[marcio.ligi]

ok but if I have to use Veeam to backup the machine, I do the backup first on the original PC, then when I login to Windows on the new PC where I want to restore the backup before doing that with Veeam>restore, I do sysprep on this new PC correct? then after that not sure what happen after I sysprep. the PC will reboot then I log in to windows in the new PC and start the bare metal backup with Veeam is it correct?

[Dima P.]

Marcello,

To cut the long story short:

- you need to perform sysprep before creating the machine image (whenever you plan to deploy another machine)
- you do not need to perform sysprep for regular backup activity i.e. when you are protecting single machine and you plan to restore this particular machine if something goes wrong

Here is a good blogpost related to Windows 7 image creation. Cheers!

[marcio.ligi]

ok thanks! so confirmed, sysprep before back up, but I've never done this I'm afraid to mess up something, so I sysprep then the PC should restart as usual right? Then I login into windows as admin, then I open Veeam and I make a bare metal backup which will be already syspreped, is it correct?

[Dima P.]

Sounds right. I'd recommend to test it anyway just to make sure you wont somehow affect your production setup. You can take regular backup first, perform a restore to another machine and then check the sysprep on the newly restore machine. If all works as expected you can go on and create an image of your production without any worries. Cheers!

[marcio.ligi]

Ok thanks a lot!

[marcio.ligi]

I'm unable to sysprep apparently there is an error, anyone knows anything about it?

Error SYSPRP Package AD2F1837.HPPrinterControl_122.1.778.0_x64__v10z8vjag6ke6 was installed for a user, but not provisioned for all users. This package will not function properly in the sysprep image.

[marcio.ligi]

I have uninstalled the HP app from Programs but still.

[Dima P.]

Here is the TechNet thread related to the similar problem SYSPRP Package <PackageName> installed for a user, but not provisioned for all users. Hope it helps!

[marcio.ligi]

Thanks! it works! sorry one last thing! So I run Veeam Create Recovery Media, and made an ISO file on my external drive.
The file is around 600kb , so at this point the backup is done already? is everything in the ISO file? it seems quite light to me 600 kb? only Windows 10 OS has 4 GB!

[marcio.ligi]

Also after syspreped I cannot see anymore the user profile I have created previously for a new employee starting tomorrow!
I had set up all his profile and settings in his user account! Did sysprep deleted the account? Why there was no warning message from windows like "all accounts will be deleted"?? No warning nothing! I hate Windows! Mac would never allow this to happen!

[Dima P.]

Marcello,

Sorry to hear that, but as far as I know sysprep does not remove user accounts unless you've run the audit mode. Any chance you've made a backup before applying any changes to your machine? Thanks!

[marcio.ligi]

actually it just removed the pc from the domain, so I could not see the user, now I have rejoined the domain and I can see it.

[marcio.ligi]

Hi guys,

let's suppose I have done a Veeam backup without Sysprep on a domain PC, if my PC fails for some reason I can deploy the backup on a new PC.
Will it work just fine even if the backupped PC wasn't previously sysprepped? (the new PC model is the same as the old one)
Considering the old PC is broken and won't be in the LAN anymore, only the new PC will.

From what I understood you only need to sysprep when you want to deploy one standard Windows image on new PCs in the office, even multiple PCs, is my assumption correct?

[Dima P.]

Hello Marcello,

I've merged your post to excising discussion.

let's suppose I have done a Veeam backup without Sysprep on a domain PC, if my PC fails for some reason I can deploy the backup on a new PC. Will it work just fine even if the backupped PC wasn't previously sysprepped? (the new PC model is the same as the old one)

If the machine is restored from backup there is nothing to worry about.

From what I understood you only need to sysprep when you want to deploy one standard Windows image on new PCs in the office, even multiple PCs, is my assumption correct?

Correct. Sysprep is required to deploy single Windows image with pre-installed Veeam Agent for Windows across multiple computers. Thanks!

[real_tarantoga]

Hello,
is there a guide or recommendations on how to integrate veeam agent for windows into the windows server templates used in vSphere environment?
Are there any special steps to be aware of - or cann I simply install the agent and then "sysprep" the VM as usually?

Than you for Your replies!
Stefan

[HannesK]

Hello,
I merged your question to one of the existing sysprep threads.

the user guide also has some description.

Best regards,
Hannes

[real_tarantoga]

Hello Hannes,
You hit the bull's eye! The registry key is exactly what I didn't know about.

Thank You!
Stefan