Phase

New Computer

Upgrade Computer

Default Actions

Validation

No

Yes

No default actions. Commonly used to verify available disk space.

State Capture

No

Yes

Capture User State: Lets you specify the location of the USMT tool, which INF files to use, and which switches to use. By default, this phase saves user data to C:\minint\smsosd\statestore\usmt2.unc.

Connect to UNC Path: Allows credentials to be passed for secure access to a UNC location.

Reboot System: Causes the machine to reboot.

Preinstall

Yes

Yes

Connect to UNC Path: Allows credentials to be passed for secure access to a UNC location.

Reboot System: Causes the machine to reboot.

Install

Yes

Yes

None; no default or custom actions possible

Postinstall

Yes

Yes

Connect to UNC Path: Allows credentials to be passed for secure access to a UNC location.
At this phase, the sysprep.inf file is automatically edited and information from the OS program definition populated.

State Restore

Yes

Yes

Connect to UNC Path: Allows credentials to be passed for secure access to a UNC location.

Restore User State: Lets you specify the location of the USMT tool and the switches needed for restoring the previously backed-up user state.

Run Software Distribution Program: Lets you specify per-system SMS package and programs that will be installed on the target machine. This bypasses the normal cycle of the client performing a machine-policy retrieval and evaluation to find advertisements that apply, downloading the package, and installing it. The programs specified here are automatically installed before the logon screen is displayed.