Windows 8 CopyProfile.xml issues

[Jim5506]

I self taught how to create and deploy images with Windows XP.

My methods also worked on Vista, but Windows 7 and Windows 8 have exponentially complicated the process by requiring tools to create multiple .xml files that either build your install for you ( I prefer to manually set up my own) or regulate what sysprep does or doesn't do.

Windows 7 sysprep allows me to use the unattend.xml file when running sysprep and everything appears to copy correctly - WONDERFUL!

But Windows 8 has "improved" to the point that not everything seems to copy to the cloned image.

Does there exist a dummy's guide to successfully sysprepping a windows 8 image so the clone computers are identical to my reference?

I have mostly succeeded in assembling a CopyProfile.xml file and everything seems to copy except my system tray icons - they all disappear and I'm left with a system tray with the default icons.

I used the Windows 8 AIK to create my .xml files, is there an item I'm missing that would successfully replicate my taskbar?

I've read that the DoNotCleanTaskbar item has been depreciated from Windows 8 sysprep, so what is left other than manually pinning items after image restoration?

Product key is X'd out, my Windows 8 is a Volume License version, so I had to put the Key in the specialize pass, the one in the windowsPE pass is probably redundant.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Here is the CopyProfile.xml file I use:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>

<unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">

<settings pass="specialize">

<component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">

<CopyProfile>true</CopyProfile>

<DoNotCleanTaskBar>true</DoNotCleanTaskBar>

<ProductKey>XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX</ProductKey>

<RegisteredOrganization>Lubbock Christian University</RegisteredOrganization>

<RegisteredOwner>Technology Services</RegisteredOwner>

</component>

</settings>

<settings pass="windowsPE">

<component name="Microsoft-Windows-International-Core-WinPE" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">

<SetupUILanguage>

<UILanguage>en-US</UILanguage>

</SetupUILanguage>

<InputLocale>en-US</InputLocale>

<SystemLocale>en-US</SystemLocale>

<UILanguage>en-US</UILanguage>

<UserLocale>en-US</UserLocale>

</component>

<component name="Microsoft-Windows-Setup" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">

<UserData>

<ProductKey>

<Key>XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX</Key>

</ProductKey>

<AcceptEula>true</AcceptEula>

</UserData>

<UseConfigurationSet>true</UseConfigurationSet>

</component>

</settings>

<cpi:offlineImage cpi:source="wim:c:/users/tech/desktop/install.wim#Windows 8 Pro" xmlns:cpi="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:cpi" />

</unattend>

Edited February 28, 2013 by Jim5506

[WinOutreach4]

Unfortunately, the previous methods you used in conjunction with previous operating system deployments to copy the task bar icons from one image to another will not work the same when it comes to imaging Windows 8. This can be seen in the TechNet article Basic Windows Deployment Step-by-Step Guide, under section 3.2 'Customize the default user profile' where it states: "Note that items that are pinned to the taskbaror to the Start screen are not copied to the default user profile."

Setting the pinned items to a customized default setting would have to be done in another manner, such as scripting. This TechNet forum thread links to a script written for Windows 7 / Windows Server 2008R2, however another forum member tested and claims it works on Windows 8 / Windows Server 2012.

Furthermore, the TechNet article DoNotCleanTaskBar also states that this setting was only used to copy deskbands, which is a customized toolbar that can be added to the taskbar. With that said, this setting will not be able to pull the pinned taskbar items to the default user profile.

More information about deploying Windows 8 can be found on the Deliver and Deploy Windows 8 page of the Springboard Series on TechNet.

David

Windows Outreach Team – IT Pro

Edited March 1, 2013 by WinOutreach4