Should i activate windows 7 before sysprep

This is what I did with XP images. However it seems that Microsoft now recommands "For Multiple Activation Keys MAK clients, the recommendation is to install the MAK immediately before running Sysprep the last time, prior to delivering the computer to a customer.

After applying all these instructions in the cluberti. MDT enforces sysprepped sources. So in short, no you don't sysprep installed computers. Thanks Mattias. Like you said once installed image MDT makes already sysprep process. Finally I will activate Office as well as Win7. Am I correct? I have an another question superuser.

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Podcast Do polyglots have an edge when it comes to mastering programming Featured on Meta. Now live: A fully responsive profile. I want to enter the product key and activate Windows 7 prior to delivering. Then I run sysprep to prepare the machine for delivery.

I do not want the end user to have to enter a product key or activate Windows when they obtain this machine. Method Customer has to re-enter the product key, and as long as it matches, Windows 7 remains activated. This would be fine except I do not want them to have to enter the product key. So I try the next method The unattend. Apparently not, during the oobe, customer is still prompted for product key. I then read about using the generalize option. When using the generalize option, it appears the the oobe successfully uses the product key thats embedded in the unattend.

But the problem is that using the generalize option resets the activation, forcing the customer to now activate Windows 7. Again, I need a method that maintains activation, and does not ask for a product key during the OOBE. Please Help! You need to use the "SkipRearm" option during your Sysprep process. This will avoid the reseting the activation Clock. It can be set in your unattended answer file. When you install Windows with a single license product key, you have 30 days during which you must activate that installation of Windows.

There is no limit to the number of times that the Sysprep command can run on a computer. However, the clock for Windows Product Activation begins its countdown the first time Windows starts. This enables you to run the Sysprep command multiple times without resetting the activation clock.

Its an OEM for system builders key. It appears to read it correctly only when I use the generalize option which i don't want because that seems to be resetting activation. When using the generalize option, it appears the oobe successfully uses the product key that's embedded in the unattend. I created an unattend. To attempt to resume configuration, restart the computer. It appears to be working now.

My unattend. Now that it's working and retained the Activation I'll test next with removing the specialize portion. Note the number of the disk you want to use. Enter select disk n, where n is the disk you want to use. Enter list volume. Note the partition information provided. If any partition you want to capture doesn't have a drive letter, you need to select the volume and then assign a drive letter. Capture images for each customized partition.

Insert media or connect to the network location containing images you are deploying. At the Windows PE command prompt, enter diskpart, enter select disk 0, and then enter list volume. If any partition you want to apply an image to doesn't have a drive letter, you need to select the volume and then assign a driver letter. Use ImageX to apply the Windows partition image.

Use ImageX to apply the system partition image. Restart the computer and log on. Sets the computer to start in audit mode. Prepares the Windows installation to be imaged by removing all unique system identifiers. Sets the computer to start in welcome mode, which is the mode in which users will receive the deployed computer.