Launch Sysprep.exe from C# Program

Question

How could I launch sysprep.exe with specific arguments from my c# program ?

 public void cmdPrint(string[] strcommmand)
    {
        Process cmd = new Process();

        cmd.StartInfo.FileName = "cmd.exe";
        cmd.StartInfo.RedirectStandardInput = true;
        cmd.StartInfo.RedirectStandardOutput = true;
        cmd.StartInfo.CreateNoWindow = true;
        cmd.StartInfo.UseShellExecute = false;
        cmd.Start();
        cmd.StandardInput.WriteLine("cd c:\\");

        foreach (string str in strcommmand)
        {
            cmd.StandardInput.WriteLine(str);

        }
        cmd.StandardInput.Flush();
        cmd.StandardInput.Close();
        writeLine(cmd.StandardOutput.ReadToEnd());

    }

and I call it from my Windows Form Application,

string[] cmd = { "cd C:\\Windows\\System32\\Sysprep", "sysprep.exe /audit /reboot"}; consoleBox1.cmdPrint(cmd);

But it doesn't seem to start the sysprep.exe. I pasted the two commands in a .bat and launched it with,

System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(Application.StartupPath + "\\awesome.bat");

but it doesn't work either (opens a black window and closes immediately)

Running the bat file from explorer works, so i guess I am missing some permission in my c# application.

In my app.manifest,

<requestedExecutionLevel level="highestAvailable" uiAccess="false" />

Is it possible to launch sysprep ? My application is made to run on Windows 7,8,8.1 and 10 on the normal desktop and on audit mode.

EDIT:

I tried the code without fulshing and closing the cmd but the program went to not responding

var procInfo = new 
ProcessStartInfo("C:\\Windows\\System32\\Sysprep\\sysprep.exe");
                procInfo.Arguments = "/audit /reboot";
                var proc = new Process();
                proc.StartInfo = procInfo;
                proc.Start(); //Actually executes the process
                proc.WaitForExit();

Gives error :

The system cannot find the file specified/nSystem.ComponentModel.Win32Exception (0x80004005): The system cannot find the file specified at System.Diagnostics.Process.StartWithShellExecuteEx(ProcessStartInfo startInfo) at System.Diagnostics.Process.Start() at Windows_SSD_Optimizer_Method_1.Method1.btn_all_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e) in :line 182/n/nThe system cannot find the file specified/nSystem.ComponentModel.Win32Exception (0x80004005): The system cannot find the file specified at System.Diagnostics.Process.StartWithShellExecuteEx(ProcessStartInfo startInfo) at System.Diagnostics.Process.Start() at Windows_SSD_Optimizer_Method_1.Method1.btn_all_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e) in :line 182/n/n

https://i.stack.imgur.com/0Em8O.png

Why don't you just start the sysprep.exe? There is no need to run cmd.exe — Sami Kuhmonen, May 19 '15 at 04:44
I tried starting sysprep.exe with process but it doesn't work :/ — kks21199, May 19 '15 at 05:22
Is your program running as 32 bit on a 64 bit system, if so you are looking in the wrong `system` folder. — Scott Chamberlain, May 19 '15 at 05:29
How would i find that ? my os is x64 and I can start it from my C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\sysprep.exe using cmd. My program is set to run on both x64 and x86 — kks21199, May 19 '15 at 05:31
You can also write path strings like this: `@"C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\sysprep.exe"` - starting with @ character. — Vojtěch Dohnal, May 19 '15 at 05:33
For some reason, even the command prompt that the program opens with process can't access sysprep.exe. I tried using process to run cmd which ran cmd with admin rights but still the same problem — kks21199, May 19 '15 at 06:05

davidgiga1993 · Answer 1 · 2015-05-19T06:21:35.407

0

Found a solution for Windows Versions older than 8:

You need to compile your programm as x64 binary. If you compile it as x86 binary the system will redirect you to SysWOW64 instead of System32.

If you need to be compatible with x64 and x86 you could also disable folder redirection:

 // Disables folder redirection
 [DllImport("kernel32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
 static extern bool Wow64DisableWow64FsRedirection(ref IntPtr ptr);

 // Enables folder redirection
 [DllImport("kernel32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
 static extern bool Wow64RevertWow64FsRedirection(IntPtr ptr);

edited May 19 '15 at 06:21

answered May 19 '15 at 05:46

davidgiga1993

2,695
18
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highestAvailable might not run as administrator if the user has no admin rights. requireAdministrator forces to get administrator rights. – davidgiga1993 May 19 '15 at 05:55
1

Tried it, but it still says file not found. Tried running it through VS, `An unhandled exception of type 'System.ComponentModel.Win32Exception' occurred in System.dll` `Additional information: The system cannot find the file specified` My UAC is already set to the lowest in windows – kks21199 May 19 '15 at 05:57
got the same exception here, thought this would solve the problem. I'll take a look a further look at it. – davidgiga1993 May 19 '15 at 05:57

Vojtěch Dohnal · Accepted Answer · 2015-05-19T06:07:11.487

0

In Windows 8 x64 you should be aware of File System Redirection.

When a 32bit application wants to access the System32 folder on a 64bit OS, Windows 8 will default any paths to syswow64 on the idea that a 32bit program would really be looking for the 32bit files.

Try this path instead:

@"c:\windows\sysnative\sysprep\sysprep.exe"

var procInfo = new ProcessStartInfo(@"c:\windows\sysnative\sysprep\sysprep.exe");
procInfo.Arguments = "/audit /reboot";
var proc = new Process();
proc.StartInfo = procInfo;
proc.Start(); //Actually executes the process
proc.WaitForExit();

edited May 19 '15 at 06:07

answered May 19 '15 at 06:01

Vojtěch Dohnal

7,867
3
43
105

It works :DD Will this work on x86 system? or should I detect the OS and then proceed ? – kks21199 May 19 '15 at 06:12
Probably you will have to, yes. On Win7 that path does not work. – Vojtěch Dohnal May 19 '15 at 06:14

Launch Sysprep.exe from C# Program

2 Answers2