"A fatal error occurred while trying to sysprep the machine" When running Sysprep during Windows 10 Provisioning

Reviewed 7/31/2015

For the most part, Windows 10 can be provisioned in the same manner as Windows 7 or Windows 8.  One common issue we have run into when sysprepping Windows 10 is an error related to Metro Apps.  A known issue with sysprep is that removing or updating built-in Windows Store apps causes Sysprep to fail.  When you install Windows 10 and log in as a user, some Metro apps are configured for your user account and this can cause sysprep to fail. 

The resolution is to remove these metro apps.  You can do so by following these steps:

1. Open powershell running as an administrator
2. Run the following commands:
   

   Import-Module Appx

   Import-Module Dism

3. Run this command to list installed metro apps:

   Get-AppxPackage -AllUser | Format-List -Property PackageFullName,PackageUserInformation

4. Next, review the setuperr.log located at C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\Panther.  This log should show the package full name for the metro app causing the sysprep error.  Copy this package full name.
5. In Powershell, run this command:
   

   Remove-AppxPackage -Package <packagefullname>

6. Re-run sysprep.  It is possible you will get the same failure again, but for a different metro app.  Repeat steps 4 and 5 to remove additional metro apps that cause failures
7. When all necessary apps have been removed Sysprep should succeed.  Move on with the next step in the provisioning process.

See Microsoft Support for more information:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2769827