How to Fix Sysprep Error 0x80073cf2 in Windows 10 22H2

What Is Sysprep

Before introducing Sysprep error 0x80073cf2, let’s have a basic understanding of Sysprep.

Sysprep, also known as System Preparation Tool, is used for Microsoft Windows operating system deployment. It prepares a Windows Server installation or a Windows client for imaging. Before capturing and deploying a Windows image to new PCs, you must reseal or generalize the image. Sysprep removes PC-specific information and resets the computer when using the tool to generalize an image.

It can change Windows images to a specialized state (targeting a specific computer) from a generalized state (targeting any computer) and then change it back.

The tool is part of the Windows image and runs in audit mode.

Sysprep Error 0x80073cf2

Although Sysprep is a powerful tool to deploy Windows on numerous PCs, you can face the error 0x80073cf2. According to users, after installing the KB5032278 update that was released on November 30, 2023, some devices with Windows 10 22H2 receive this error.

A popup appears on the computer screen, saying “Sysprep was not able to validate your Windows installation. Review the log file at %WINDIR%\System32\Sysprep\Panther\setupact.log for details. After resolving the issue, use Sysprep to validate your installation again”.

When checking this log file, you can see it mentions 0x80073cf2. This error happens primarily due to issues with the status of a Microsoft Edge package. It only affects devices on which IT Admins run Sysprep.exe in audi mode.

Microsoft has acknowledged Sysprep error 0x80073cf2 and it offers a somewhat fiddly solution to address this issue. Next. Let’s see how to fix it.

Run PowerShell to Fix Windows 10 Sysprep Error 0x80073cf2

This is a temporary workaround. Before the fix for this issue is released by Microsoft, try this way that can help remove the problematic Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge package from affected Windows images.

Do as follows:

Step 1: In Windows 10 22H2, open Windows PowerShell with admin rights – right-click on the Start button and choose Windows PowerShell (Admin).

Step 2: Copy and paste the following command to this command-line tool:

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Where-Object { $_.PackageFullName -like ‘<PackageFullName>’ } | Format-List -Property Name, PackageFullName, PackageUserInformation, InstallLocation, SignatureKind

Replace <PackageFullName> with the name observed in the setupact.log file, for example, Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge, and then don’t forget to press Enter.

Step 3: Check PackageUserInformation in the output. If your Windows image is influenced by Sysprep error 0x80073cf2, Installed (pending removal) will be listed, as shown below:

Step 4: To address the Sysprep error, type this command – Get-Appxpackage <PackageFullName> -AllUsers | Remove-Appxpackage -AllUsers and press Enter. Also, remember to replace <PackageFullName> with the affected one.

Step 5: After exiting Windows PowerShell, press Win + R, type Sysprep, click OK, and double-click on sysprep.exe to open this tool.

Detailed Guide to Run Sysprep on Windows 10/11

What is Sysprep on Windows 10/11? How to run Sysprep? If you want to use Sysprep on your computer. Then, this guide is for you!

Read More

Step 6: Choose Enter System Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE), check Generalize, choose Reboot,and click OK. Then, you won’t face Windows 10 Sysprep error 0x80073cf2.

Back up PC: Suggestion

After solving the error “Sysprep was not able to validate your Windows installation” in Windows 10 22H2, now you can successfully deploy Windows to multiple operating systems. After that, we advise that you back up your PC regularly using MiniTool ShadowMaker, powerful PC backup software to avoid data loss and system issues due to potential issues.

To know details on PC backup, refer to our previous post – How to Backup PC to External Hard Drive/Cloud in Win11/10.