To prepare a Windows image for deployment to multiple computers, you must use the System Preparation (Sysprep) tool to generalize the Windows image. When you set up your reference computer, Windows Setup installs drivers for any detected devices. By default, these drivers are removed when you generalize the system. Removing the computer-specific information from the system is known as generalizing the computer. This preparation includes the following steps:
- Device state for hardware is removed.
- Boot-critical driver settings are reset to their default values.
- Device log files are purged.
The Dell ImageAssist tool automates the process for you and describes how to remove the drivers. When running ImageAssist, the validation checker will detect software and drivers to be removed so SysPrep can generalize our image like shown below:
Sometimes it’s a simple process to remove device drivers from the OS but at times they can be more difficult. The steps below will illustrate how to reveal hidden drivers in order to remove them:
- Type CMD into the start menu search box, and then use Ctrl+Shift+Enter to open in administrator mode. (You can also right-click on the command prompt and choose Run as Administrator)
- Now paste in the following line:
SET DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES=1
3. Now type in devmgmt.msc to start up Device Manager from the administrator command prompt:
4. Once you are in Device Manager, go to the View menu and choose Show Hidden Devices, which will show all the device drivers including things that aren’t currently installed in your computer.
Note: Notice how there are 6 mice in the list, even though I only have two installed and my drawing tablet. The other 3 mice are old mice that were used until they were replaced.
5. You can right-click on the driver and then choose Uninstall from the menu to remove the drivers for hardware no longer used or needed.
There is also an alternative to force deleting drivers that are hard to remove. Below is the link to a 3rd party tool that is free called DriverStoreExplorer. The DriverStoreExplorer GUI makes it easier to deal with Windows drivers that are hard to delete. Supported operations include enumeration, adding a driver package (stage), adding & installing, deletion and force deletion from the driver store.
Feel free to either call or email us with any additional assistance needed or questions you may have. Here's how to contact our ImageAssist Help Desk:
Phone: 866-340-0541
Email: US_OSImaging@dell.com