The Sysprep -clean Command May Not Remove All Unused Drivers on Windows 2000 (810530)

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server MultiLanguage Version
Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP1
Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP2
Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP3
Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server MultiLanguage Version
Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP2
Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP3
Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional MultiLanguage Version
Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP1
Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP2
Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP3
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server MultiLanguage Version
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP1
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP2
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP3
Microsoft Windows 2000 with the Server Appliance Kit

SYMPTOMS

The sysprep -clean command may not remove all unused drivers or non-present (ghost) devices.

These devices may appear in different locations:

Unused drivers may appear in Computer Management, in the System Tools\System Information\Software Environment\Drivers folder.
Ghost devices may appear in Device Manager.

CAUSE

With Windows 2000, sysprep -clean does not remove devices from the critical device database. For example, sysprep -clean does not remove any drivers that are added in the MassStorageDrivers section of the Unattend.txt file.

Additionally, if you use the sysprep -pnp command, sysprep -clean does not remove any unused drivers .

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

RESOLUTION

Sysprep for Windows 2000 does not remove devices from the critical device database. Avoid the use of the sysprep -pnp command.

Modification Type:	Minor	Last Reviewed:	12/5/2003
Keywords:	kbprb KB810530 kbAudDeveloper