When deploying a Windows image over Hyper-V or creating a new VDI you may have encountered an error saying: Virtual desktop Sysprep is not generalized. This might be a bit confusing for someone who doesn’t know what Sysprep is and how to fix this problem.

Below is the full error message we see.

Virtual desktop Sysprep is not generalized.

Sysprep Virtual Desktop Template is not generalized.

Fix Virtual Desktop Sysprep is not generalized

System Preparation ToolAlso known as Sysprep, is a utility used by system administrators and IT professionals in Microsoft Windows. Its main purpose is to prepare and configure Windows operating system installations for viewing or deployment on multiple machines. When the image is generalized, certain computer information, such as installed drivers and the computer security identifier (SID), is removed. Thus, it can also help you create a generalized system image that you can later distribute and replicate across various devices to save time and effort. This is often used in a huge environment such as a multinational corporation or a college where the goal is to maintain uniformity and install operating systems on many computers.

If the virtual desktop Sysprep is not generalized follow the solutions mentioned below.

1. Generalize Sysprep
2. Fix fatal error

Let’s talk about these in detail.

1) Generalize Sysprep

Our image is not Sysprep generalized as stated in the error message. To solve this problem, we need to generalize our Sysprep image. To do this, you need to follow the steps mentioned below.

This will trigger the cleanup required for Sysprep to generalize and you will immediately receive a message saying: “Sysprep is working; “Generalization phase Sysprep plug-ins are being processed”, It will disappear when the process is finished.

Then your computer will shut down and VM Sysprep will be generalized. Now you can try to distribute the image; I hope it works.

2) Fix fatal error

Sometimes Sysprep generalization fails with a Fatal error and gives the following error message.

A fatal error occurred while trying to prepare the machine for the system.

To solve this we need to edit Skip Rear Gun. Skip Reinstall button In Windows, it is a registry entry that determines whether the Windows Software License Reissue program runs. This program resets Windows licensing status by removing or resetting all activation-related licensing and registration data.

Therefore, open the Registry Editor and navigate to the following location.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform

To call Skip Rear Gun, double click on it and Value data to 1. Finally click OK.

If the problem is not resolved, we recommend that you take a look at the solutions mentioned in our guide for a solution. A fatal error occurred while trying to prepare the machine for the system.

What causes Sysprep to fail?

There are various reasons why Sysprep may fail on your computer. For example, Sysprep will fail if the Microsoft Store app has not been updated in a while, if there are pending Windows updates, or if the Windows image has not been upgraded in a long time.

To read: Sysprep could not verify your Windows installation

Where to find Sysprep logs?

Sysprep has two log files; setupact.log And setuperr.log. you can open File Explorer and go to one of the following locations to find them.

• C:\Windows\Panther
• C:\Windows\Panther\UnattendGC
• C:\Windows\System32\sysprep\Panther

I hope you will find everything you need in these files.

To read: Sysprep fails to uninstall/update Provisioned Microsoft Store apps.