Differences between QuickPrep and Sysprep

Purpose

This article discusses the main between VMware QuickPrep and Microsoft Sysprep. It further describes the functions of the two methods allowing users to select the appropriate method for creating Linked Clone Desktops.

Resolution

QuickPrep is a VMware system tool executed by View Composer during a linked-clone desktop deployment. QuickPrep personalizes each desktop created from the Master Image. Microsoft Sysprep is a tool to deploy the configured operating system installation from a base image. The desktop can then be customized based on an answer script. Sysprep can modify a larger number of configurable parameters than QuickPrep.

 

During the initial startup of each new desktop, QuickPrep:

• Creates a new computer account in Active Directory for each desktop.
• Gives the linked-clone desktop a new name.
• Joins the desktop to the appropriate domain.
• Optionally, mounts a new volume that contains the user profile information.

 

This table lists the main differences between QuickPrep and Sysprep:

Function	QuickPrep	Sysprep
Removing local accounts	No	Yes
Changing Security Identifiers (SID)	No	Yes
Removing parent from domain	No	Yes
Changing computer name	Yes	Yes
Joining the new instance to the domain	Yes	Yes
Generating new SID	No	Yes
Language, regional settings, date, and time customization	No	Yes
Number of reboots	0	1 (seal & mini-setup)
Requires configuration file and Sysprep	No	Yes

 

Note: A Guest Customization script is required in vCenter Server to use Sysprep. Sysprep is bundled in with Windows 7. For Windows XP, an appropriate Sysprep program needs to be installed on the vCenter Sever.

See Sysprep file locations and versions (1005593) for information on installing Sysprep tools.

 

For more information on the use of Sysprep and the Guest Customisation wizard,see Customizing Guest Operating Systems andInstalling the Microsoft Sysprep Tools in the vSphere Virtual Machine Administration Guide.

Source:-
http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=2003797