When preparing a Windows installation for Sysprep in Audit mode, running the Disk Cleanup utility in Windows 7 SP1 before using the Sysprep command is beneficial but not strictly necessary. Here's an overview to clarify: 1. Disk Cleanup Utility: - The Disk Cleanup utility is a tool provided by Windows to help users free up disk space by deleting unnecessary files like temporary files, cache, and other items that can be safely removed. - Running Disk Cleanup manually before Sysprep helps to ensure that the system is in a clean state, reducing the size of the resultant image and potentially improving the performance. 2. Sysprep /Generalize /OOBE: - The Sysprep command with the /Generalize switch is used to prepare a Windows installation for imaging or cloning. It removes system-specific information and resets the Windows activation, SID, and other identifiers. - The /OOBE switch tells Windows to enter the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE) mode when the system is next booted, allowing the user to customize settings as if setting up a new PC. 3. Disk Cleanup vs. Sysprep Generalize: - The Disk Cleanup utility and Sysprep with the /Generalize option serve slightly different purposes: - Disk Cleanup primarily focuses on removing temporary and unnecessary files to free up disk space. - Sysprep /Generalize mainly removes unique system identifiers and prepares the system for imaging. 4. Overlap in Functionality: - While there is some overlap in the removal of unnecessary files between Disk Cleanup and Sysprep /Generalize, they are not exactly the same. - Disk Cleanup targets user-specific files, while Sysprep /Generalize focuses on system-wide settings and identifiers. In conclusion, running Disk Cleanup before Sysprep in Audit mode can help ensure a cleaner and more efficient system image, but the actions performed by Disk Cleanup and Sysprep /Generalize are not identical. You may choose to use both to optimize your system preparation process.
