1. Run Command Prompt (Admin), and run the command to boot into Audit mode Code: sysprep /audit /reboot 2. Remove user account and his files via User Account from Control Panel 3. Run Command Prompt (Admin), and run the command to clean up component Code: dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup 4. Clean up disk space via System Management Tool from Control Panel 5. Run Command Prompt (Admin), and run the command to generalize the machine and shutdown Code: Sysprep /generalize /shutdown /oobe 6. DVD/USB boot to remove Administrator folder at C:\ You can start it to check the result. If OK, repeat all steps. If not OK, reconfigure and repeat all steps.
You can use a autounattend.xml file to install & boot into Audit mode or during oobe stage of install you can press CTRL+SHIFT+F3. Don't install any anti-virus/anti-malware - system won't sysprep correctly. Install your apps & drivers, etc. Don't waste your time with cleanup commands - they take forever just to save a little space. When done, just select oobe & shutdown - no need for generalize as your not capturing this image for deployment to other systems. You could use reboot instead of shutdown to verify it's all working & getting to oobe. When you get to the OOBE screen, press SHIFT+F10 to open a cmd prompt then run "shutdown -s -f -t 0". Next power on you straight to the OOBE screen...
If you are doing clean install, when you get to Welcome Screen simply press Shift + F3 to enter audit mode. You can then install everything from there without having a user account. I am checking this our for Windows 10 in Hyper-V, let you know. Method doesn't appear to work for 10 unless I am missing something. Actually I just found out it works, but you need to restart, then it will say it is entering OOBE
Awesome!! this is easier! Does this also work for Windows 7 when I get the welcome screen where I am supposed to enter the username of the computer? Just press SHIFT + F3 and reboot?