Windows 11 24H2 Guest OS Customization Fails with ShellHost.exe Error
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Windows 11 24H2 Guest OS Customization Fails with ShellHost.exe Error

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Article ID: 390487

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Updated On: 03-31-2025

Products

VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

When deploying Windows 11 24H2 virtual machines from templates with Guest OS Customization enabled in vCenter, the Windows desktop fails to load after login. Instead, a ShellHost.exe error message appears repeatedly, preventing normal system operation. Manual sysprep works correctly, but the automated customization through vCenter fails.

Environment

  • Windows 11 Enterprise 24H2
  • vCenter Server 7.0.3 or later
  • Guest OS Customization enabled during virtual machine deployment from a template

Cause

This issue is caused by a Microsoft Windows bug in the sysprep process when using the /generalize option (which vCenter's Guest OS Customization uses).

The bug results in incorrect Boot Configuration Data (BCD) settings after the generalize process completes. Specific errors that occur during this process include:

  • BiUpdateEfiEntry failed c000000d
  • BiExportBcdObjects failed c000000d
  • BiExportStoreAlterationsToEfi failed c000000d
  • Failed to export alterations to firmware. Status: c000000d

These errors indicate that the sysprep process is failing to properly configure the boot settings required for the guest OS.

 

Resolution

VMware engineering has been collaborating with Microsoft on this issue. In the meantime, the following workarounds have been confirmed to work around the issue:

Workaround Option 1: Use an Earlier Windows Build

  1. Use Windows 11 24H2 GA build 26100.1742 image without any updates to deploy Windows.

  2.  Apply guest customization to this clean build.

  3. Updates can be installed after successful customization if required.

Workaround Option 2: Remove Problematic Windows Updates

If already using Windows 11 24H2 with updates installed:

  1. Check Windows 11 release history Version 24H2 (OS build 26100) at
    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/windows11-release-information
    to identify installed KB updates.

  2. Navigate to Update history → Uninstall updates in Windows.

  3. Remove the following problematic updates if present:
    • KB5044284 (2024-10 Cumulative Update for Windows 11)
    • KB5051987 (2025-02 Cumulative Update for Windows 11)

  4. Apply guest customization after removing these updates.

  5. Updates can be reinstalled after successful customization if required.

Workaround Option 3: Clear TPM in UEFI

As identified by customers, this workaround can resolve the issue after Guest OS Customization is run:

  1. After deployment, enter the VM's UEFI settings during boot

  2. Navigate to the TPM settings

  3. Select the option to clear the TPM

  4. Save and exit

  5. Allow the VM to boot normally

Note: VMware engineering has confirmed that removing the specific Windows updates (Options 1 and 2) is the most reliable solution until Microsoft addresses this issue.

Additional Information

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