With Microsoft's Anniversary Update (version 1607) - Windows 10 now supports running Sysprep after an OS upgrade from a previous version of Windows 10. Refer to the following post https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/commercialize/manufacture/desktop/sysprep--system-preparation--overview which states:
New and changed functionality
Beginning with Windows 10, version 1607, Sysprep can be used to prepare an image that has been upgraded. For example:
- You can start with a computer that runs Windows 10, version 1511 or Windows 10, version 1507..
- Upgrade the computer to run Windows 10, version 1607.
- Run Sysprep generalize on the upgraded image, re-capture the updated image, and deploy the image to new devices.
This process allows enterprises to efficiently and continuously roll out up-to-date Windows 10 deployment images.
What is the problem?
ImageAssist current release 6.0.0.8 and all previous releases will prevent the installation of the ImageAssist toolset if it recognizes an upgraded Windows OS. This is working as designed based on Microsoft’s rule for Sysprep not supported on upgraded OS prior to Windows 10 release 1607.
The next release of ImageAssist (tentative early October 2016) will support installing and running the toolset on any versions of Windows 10 that were upgraded from Windows 10 versions 1507 or 1511.
Until our next release, here is how to create a Windows 10 Anniversary Update release build 1607 ImageAssist image for factory orders.
- VLA: If your using volume license (VLA) media – download the updated 1607 bits, install your OS and move along. For licensing, you’ll either need to use a MAK key in your unattend.xml or have KMS configured for activation.
- OEM: "ImageAssist: How create a Windows 10 Anniversary Update (1607) OEM image"