Microsoft says admins are seeing 0x80073cf2 errors when utilizing the System Preparation (Sysprep) instrument to validate Home windows installations for deployment after putting in current Home windows 10 updates.
Sysprep helps put together Home windows consumer or Home windows Server installations for imaging and deployment on any system by eradicating computer-specific info similar to put in drivers and the pc safety identifier (SID).
Admins can use it to handle a number of computer systems on a community by creating generic Home windows pictures that may be deployed throughout varied {hardware} configurations or fine-tuning a single Home windows picture for a particular PC by including drivers and apps in audit mode.
This newly acknowledged subject solely impacts Home windows 10, model 22H2 methods the place Sysprep is utilized in audit mode to check or add drivers or apps to new Home windows installations.
“After putting in updates launched November 30, 2023 KB5032278 or later, some Home windows units could be unable to finish preparation utilizing System Preparation Software (Sysprep.exe) as a consequence of points with the standing of a Microsoft Edge package deal,” Microsoft says.
On units impacted by this identified subject, admins will see a 0x80073cf2 error saying, “Sysprep was not in a position to validate your Home windows set up. Assessment the log file at %WINDIRpercentsystem32SysprepPanthersetupact.log for particulars. After resolving the difficulty, use Sysprep to validate your set up once more.”
Redmond says it is at present engaged on a repair, with extra particulars to be launched as quickly as they’re obtainable.

Workaround obtainable
Till a repair for this subject is launched, Microsoft offers a short lived answer that requires admins to run a PowerShell command to take away the problematic Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge package deal from affected Home windows pictures.
Further particulars on the best way to verify in case your Home windows pictures are impacted by this subject may be present in this assist doc.
To use the workaround:
- Run the next command from a PowerShell immediate with Administrator privileges:
Get-Appxpackage Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge -AllUsers | Take away-Appxpackage -AllUsers
- Subsequent, exit PowerShell by typing Exit and urgent Enter.
- Resume Sysprep steps. Open Sysprep beneath System Cleanup Motion, and choose Out-of-Field Expertise (OOBE).
- Choose the Generalize verify field.
- Underneath Shutdown Choices, choose Reboot after which click on OK.
Microsoft can also be working to repair one other identified subject triggering 0x80070643 errors when putting in the KB5034441 safety replace that patches the CVE-2024-20666 BitLocker vulnerability.
The BitLocker subject impacts each consumer (Home windows 10 21H2 or later and Home windows 11 21H2) and server platforms (Home windows Server 2022).