Create an Amazon EC2 AMI using Windows Sysprep - Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud
Windows Sysprep phasesBefore you begin

Create an Amazon EC2 AMI using Windows Sysprep

The Microsoft System Preparation (Windows Sysprep) tool creates a generalized version of the operating system, with instance-specific system configuration removed before it captures a new image.

We recommend that you use EC2 Image Builder to automate the creation, management, and deployment of customized, secure, and up-to-date "golden" server images that are pre-installed and preconfigured with software and settings.

You can also use Windows Sysprep to create a standardized AMI using the Windows launch agents: EC2Launch v2, EC2Launch, and EC2Config.

Important

Do not use Windows Sysprep to create an instance backup. Windows Sysprep removes system-specific information; removing this information might have unintended consequences for an instance backup.

To troubleshoot Windows Sysprep, see Troubleshoot Sysprep issues with Amazon EC2 Windows instances.

Contents

Windows Sysprep phases

Windows Sysprep runs through the following phases:

  • Generalize: The Sysprep tool removes image-specific information and configurations. For example, Windows Sysprep removes the security identifier (SID), the computer name, the event logs, and specific drivers, to name a few. After this phase is completed, the operating system (OS) is ready to create an AMI.

    Note

    When you run Windows Sysprep with the Windows launch agents, the system prevents drivers from being removed because PersistAllDeviceInstalls is set to true by default.

  • Specialize: Plug and Play scans the computer and installs drivers for any detected devices. The Sysprep tool generates OS requirements, like the computer name and SID. Optionally, you can run commands in this phase.

  • Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE): The system runs an abbreviated version of Windows Setup and asks you to enter information such as system language, time zone, and registered organization. When you run Windows Sysprep with Windows launch agents, the answer file automates this phase.

Before you begin

  • Before performing Windows Sysprep, we recommend that you remove all local user accounts and all account profiles other than a single administrator account under which Windows Sysprep will be run. If you perform Windows Sysprep with additional accounts and profiles, unexpected behavior could result, including loss of profile data or failure to complete Windows Sysprep.

  • Learn more about Sysprep Overview.

  • Learn which Sysprep Support for Server Roles.