Updating OEM build without activating

[Guest]

We are an OEM that builds custom computers. We install images with all
updates applied prior to the image date. We want to apply all new updates to
our systems before we deliver them. We run the Sysprep tool prior to
delivery so we do not Activate the systems.

Windows Update now requires running the Validation tool prior to updating
the system. The tool will not run on a system that has not been activated.

How can we get around this so our customers get a system that is fully
updated?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

We are an OEM that builds custom computers. We install images with
all updates applied prior to the image date. We want to apply all
new updates to our systems before we deliver them. We run the
Sysprep tool prior to delivery so we do not Activate the systems.

Windows Update now requires running the Validation tool prior to
updating the system. The tool will not run on a system that has
not been activated.

How can we get around this so our customers get a system that is
fully updated?

Patch your install.. Whether you are doing it by CD or network.. Patch the
original install files.

This means you will be making a new image once a month (if that is how you
do things), but with some sort of unattended installation in pace - that's
simple enough.

You can integrate SPs and almost all the patches right into the original
installation media.