Sysprep (System Preparation Tool) is a Microsoft Command line utility which users use to prepare a generalized Windows system image for deploying, duplicating and testing the Operating System.
In this process, you need to generalize the Windows installing by using the commandsysprep /generalize /shutdown /oobeand remove any data specific to your PC for privacy purposes. However, Sysprep can’t execute this process if it fails to validate the system and returns the “Sysprep was not able to validate your Windows installation” error message.
This issue can happen because of various reasons, which we have mentioned in this article along with their solutions.
Causes for Sysprep Was Not Able to Validate Your Windows Installation
Here are the potential causes for “Sysprep was not able to validate your Windows installation” error:
Fixes for Sysprep Was Not Able to Validate Your Windows Installation
First, ensure todisconnect the internetto avoid any automatic processes, such as updates while generalizing your Windows installation.
Then, apply the possible solutions we have provided below to troubleshoot your issue.
The Sysprep error message also shows where you may review the error log message. So, the first thing you should do is check the log file to narrow down the exact reason for the issue.
After looking through the log, move on to the corresponding solutions depending on the nature of your error.
Disable Upgrade Registry Key and Entry
Sysprep won’t be able to validate your Windows installation if you try running the processs after upgrading your system. The log should show the following or a similar error message in such a scenario:
As the message says, Microsoft doesn’t support running Sysprep on an upgraded Windows system and instead recommends users toclean install Windowsfirst. However, you may avoid this issue by changing some registry values. Here’s how you can do so:
This process fools the Windows OS into believing that you have a custom install version of Windows instead of an upgraded one.
you may’t run Sysprep when your system is encrypted. If you attempt to do so, the error log usually shows the error message below:
