I made answer file using windows AIK, the install.wim and .clg files were on my desktop while i was creating the answer file. Now at the bottom of the unattend.xml (the answer file) there is this line: <cpi:offlineImage cpi:source="wim:c:/install.wim#Windows Server 2008 R2 SERVERSTANDARD" xmlns:cpi="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:cpi" /> which directs to the .wim and the .clg file After i sysprep the computer with the command sysprep /oobe /generalize /unattend:c:\windows..\unattend.xml I want to delete the files, before i capture the image. (so the image of the HD will be smaller) On what step do i delete it ? The next step after i sysprep and shutdown is to boot from WinPE bootable usb. then i can delete those files and use imagex /capture c:\ .. Would that be correct ? or if i delete the files some error might occure? it doesnt make sence that the image of the hard drive will be 2.5gb bigger just because that install.wim file.. thanks alot !!

hookedatwallacom, Have you done some research on IMAGEX.exe? You can use an ImageX Exclusion list to exclude the *.wim file and other files are also recommended by default in the list itself. If you read the "step-by-step" in the WAIK directory. C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Docs\Whitepapers\stepbystep_itpro.htm - You can omitt files with an ExclusionList in a file named Winscript.ini when you build your WinPE image. Create an ImageX Configuration File http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc766147(WS.10).aspx This is your default exclusionlist.. [ExclusionList] \$ntfs.log \hiberfil.sys \pagefile.sys "\System Volume Information" \RECYCLER \Windows\CSC [CompressionExclusionList] *.mp3 *.zip *.cab \WINDOWS\inf\*.pnf There's even compression exclusion. Incase the compression may make files that already have compression, go corrupt... an exclusion list is can omitt the compression flag for files you do not want additionally compressed. Steve Kline Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Server Administrator Microsoft Certified Product Specialist Microsoft Certified Network Product Specialist Red Hat Certified System Administrator This posting is "as is" without warranties and confers no rights.

Duplicate Forum Posting Questions You would simply move those xml documents to a folder on C:\ like C:\sysprep is a common sysprep folder that is removed upon sysprep completion. You could also move them deeper where they should go, like C:\WINDOWS\System32\sysprep\panther Panther is where you should store the unattend.xml files you want to be used for your generalization - oobe passes of your installation. I hope that answers your question... you could also completely remove those files and put them on your file server or your Windows Deployment Server.Steve Kline Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Server Administrator Microsoft Certified Product Specialist Microsoft Certified Network Product Specialist Red Hat Certified System Administrator This posting is "as is" without warranties and confers no rights.