How do I auto activate Windows XP with Sysprep?

Products

• Deployment Solution

Issue/Introduction

 

Resolution

Question
I'm not using a Microsoft volume license when imaging with Sysprep in Deployment Server.  After imaging and restarting the target computer, I'm being asked to activate Windows XP.  Is there a way to prevent this?

Answer
Yes. You can set "Auto activate" in the sysprep.inf file.  For Windows XP do the following:

1. Go to your eXpress share and then to the Sysprep folder
2. Open the standardxp.inf file with Notepad.
3. Add AutoActivate=Yes to the [Unattended] section and save the file.