Steps to deploy a Windows 7 x64 Workstation from Template ?

[TonyJK]

Hi,

We have already prepared a Windows 7 x64 Template with reference to

How to build a Windows 7 VMware Template | Notes from MWhite

When we set up the customization wizard, we would like to seek your advice:

1) Should we select "Automatically log on as Administrator" ?

2) Should we add any commands in "Run Once" ?

3) When we join domain, can we just use user = administrator / password = Domain administrator password OR user should be Domain\Administrator ?

When we deploy the template, should choose the "Power on the VM" option ?

We encounter a number of problems when deploying the template

1) Even though the workstation is started up, it doesn't automatically log on as administrator and I have to log on manually.

2) Nothing happens and thus I restart it

3) It says that sysprep is customizing and then

a) Workstation name hasn't been changed

b) Administrator is disabled (From the web, I find that Windows 7 administrator account is disabled after sysprep)

We attempt to restart the VM and every time it says sysprep is customizing the VM but there is no improvement.  Should I wait ?

Your advice is sought.

[krish290785 · Accepted solution]

Looks like the Administrator password which was entered during the creation of windows guest customization answer file is incorrect. which is the reason why the sysprep is didn't worked out and the automatically log on is not working. You have to double confirm whether the you entered the Password of the Administrator account of your template in the guest customization wizard.

This should be the administrator account password of the template used to deploy VMs.

1) Should we select "Automatically log on as Administrator" ?

<A> It depends. But Leave it as 3 Times to Automatically Log on Just in case

2) Should we add any commands in "Run Once" ?

<A> Depends on your environment or requirement to Run any commands as part of the Security Hardening or Etc.,

3) When we join domain, can we just use user = administrator / password = Domain administrator password OR user should be Domain\Administrator ?

<A> Domain Administrator Credentials Required. Under Windows Server Domain Text Box, enter the Domain Name, Followed by Username, Password and Confirm Password under the respective Text Boxes.

[TonyJK]

If we enable "Automatically Logon as Administrator", do we need to edit registry settings to disable this feature before giving to end users ?   Otherwise, that workstation will be logged in automatically as Administrator when we restart it.