Microsoft KB Archive/810530

= The Sysprep -clean Command May Not Remove All Unused Drivers on Windows 2000 =

Article ID: 810530

Article Last Modified on 12/5/2003

-

APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 2
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 3
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 MultiLanguage Edition
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 1
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 2
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 3
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 MultiLanguage Edition
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 1
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 2
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 3
 * 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.

Additional query words: OPK, ghost devices

Keywords: kbprb KB810530

-

[mailto:TECHNET@MICROSOFT.COM Send feedback to Microsoft]

© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.