6.0

11 (Optional) Select Generate New Security ID (SID) and click Next.
A Windows Security ID (SID) is used in some Windows operating systems to uniquely identify systems
and users. If you do not select this option, the new virtual machine has the same SID as the virtual
machine or template from which it was cloned or deployed.
Duplicate SIDs do not cause problems when the computers are part of a domain and only domain user
accounts are used. However, if the computers are part of a Workgroup or local user accounts are used,
duplicate SIDs can compromise file access controls. For more information, see the documentation for
your Microsoft Windows operating system.
12 Save the customized options as an .xml file.
a Select Save this customization specification for later use.
b Specify the filename for the specification and click Next.
13 Click Finish to save your changes.
You return to the Deploy Template or to the Clone Virtual Machine wizard. The customization is finished
after you complete the Deploy Template or the Clone Virtual Machine wizard.
When the new virtual machine starts for the first time, the guest operating system runs finalization scripts to
complete the customization process. The virtual machine might restart several times during this process.
If the guest operating system pauses when the new virtual machine starts, it might be waiting for you to
correct errors, such as an incorrect product key or an invalid user name. Open the virtual machine’s console
to determine whether the system is waiting for information.
What to do next
After you deploy and customize versions of Windows XP or Windows 2003 that are not volume licensed,
you might need to reactivate your operating system on the new virtual machine.
If the new virtual machine encounters customization errors while it is booting, the errors are logged to
%WINDIR%\temp\vmware-imc. To view the error log file, click the Windows Start button and select Programs >
Administrative Tools > Event Viewer.
Customize Linux During Cloning or Deployment in the vSphere Client
In the process of deploying a new virtual machine from a template or cloning an existing virtual machine,
you can customize Linux guest operating systems for the virtual machine.
Prerequisites
Ensure that all requirements for customization are met. See “Guest Operating System Customization
Requirements,” on page 109.
Procedure
1 Select View > Management > Customization Management Manager and click New to start the
Windows Guest Customization.
2 Select the Target Virtual Machine OS and enter the name and description for the Customization
Specification Information, then click Next.
NOTE If you want to use a custom sysprep file, select Use Custom Sysprep Answer File.
3 Select Customize using the Customization Wizard and click Next.
Chapter 12 Customizing Guest Operating Systems
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