Disk Clone Software PCs, Change SIDs without Sysprep

This article serves as a continuation of our previous discussion on Corporate Domain Disk Cloning Considerations & Solutions. Here, we will explore the capabilities of WittyTool’s disk cloning software tailored for corporate domains.

The Sysprep Nightmare: Why Admins Seek Alternatives

Having cloned disks since the 1990s (I can proudly say I started with Norton Ghost in 1995!), I fully grasp the challenges faced in corporate settings. Thankfully, WittyTool is alleviating these issues with its user-friendly SID CHANGER during the cloning process.

To comprehend the necessity of WittyTool’s SID changer, one must grapple with the intricacies of Microsoft’s proprietary solution: Sysprep. Anyone familiar with Sysprep could recount tales of frustration. Successfully getting a modern Windows 11 image to “Generalize” often feels like trekking through a minefield. The process commonly requires:

• Removal of Windows Store Apps: If even one Universal app has been updated for one user but not for another, Sysprep can encounter a fatal error. Thus, a script to eliminate Universal Apps from ALL user profiles is generally needed before running Sysprep.
• User Profile Clean-Up: It’s often necessary to delete extraneous user accounts and tidy up side-loaded packages to ensure the utility functions smoothly.
• The “Fatal Error” Loop: Just one misplaced registry key can result in a complete failure, leading to an unbootable image.

This is where WittyTool’s SID changer proves invaluable to corporate admins. It sidesteps the clean-room stipulations of Sysprep, completely disregarding your Windows Store apps or the number of user profiles in existence; it simply executes the required modifications within the Registry.

Simple SID Change? I Think Not

Do not confuse “easier than Sysprep” with “easy.” Windows lacks a native command to change a SID on a live system. To accomplish this manually involves intricate modifications to the Windows Registry, including mounting the SAM and SECURITY registry hives and recalculating 96-bit binary strings while scavenging through thousands of references within the operating system. WittyTool efficiently automates this complex process during the cloning, making it a genuine lifesaver for corporate admins tasked with deploying new PCs.

The Modern Domain Reality Check

It’s essential to clarify that while WittyTool presents a solution for handling SIDs, it should not be viewed as a blanket replacement for comprehensive deployment protocols. If you’re expecting a cloned disk to function seamlessly within a contemporary Windows Domain, admins will still contend with a considerable checklist (which a script below can assist in automating!):

1. Manual Host Name Change: The clone boots with an identical name to the source machine, necessitating an immediate rename to prevent DNS and Active Directory conflicts.
2. The Re-Join Process: The Secure Channel password between the PC and the Domain Controller is disrupted by the cloning. Therefore, you’ll need to remove the machine from the domain and then rejoin it from scratch.
3. The CMID Issue: If you’re utilising KMS (Key Management Service), note that WittyTool does not reset the CMID. You’ll need to manually execute slmgr /rearm or your KMS Server won’t activate the new machines.

The Identity/Deployment Matrix

The Cloud Trap: Azure Entra ID Joined Devices

For those shifting from on-premises domains to a cloud-only environment (such as Windows 11 or the forthcoming Server 2025), changing the SID remains relevant but isn’t a comprehensive solution.

In the cloud ecosystem, your identity is linked to a hardware certificate stored in the Trusted Platform Module (TPM). Cloning a disk to new hardware retains the identity of the OLD machine, while the NEW hardware has a different TPM. Thus, even with a new SID, cloud authentication will fail due to mismatched hardware keys. To resolve this, execute dsregcmd /leave on the clone and re-register it with the cloud to connect to the new hardware’s TPM. Additionally, we provide a script below to streamline this process.

The IT Police: EDR & Event 9

Finally, bear in mind that in any non-SMB environment, disk cloning is likely to trigger alerts. Modern EDR and DLP tools keep track of Sysmon Event 9 (RawAccessRead). The moment WittyTool begins its deep registry modifications to alter the SID, your security protocols may flag this as an exfiltration attempt. Ensure you operate in a controlled lab or coordinate with your SOC to include exceptions for your WittyTool cloning activities.

The First-Boot Automation Script & Execution

To facilitate this disk cloning procedure for numerous new PCs, automating the cleanup is crucial. Timing plays a pivotal role. Ensure the machine is offline (disconnect the Ethernet) during its first boot to prevent name collisions with the original machine on the network.

The Disk Clone Cleanup Script

# Run this as Admin on the first boot of the cloned machine
# IMPORTANT: Keep machine OFFLINE until the rename is complete

# Option A: Randomly generated name
# $NewName = "PC-$(Get-Random -Minimum 1000 -Maximum 9999)"

# Option B: Manual prompt (Uncomment the line below to use this option)
$NewName = Read-Host "Please enter the new computer name"

$Domain = "yourdomain.local"

Write-Host "Removing outdated Cloud/Azure identities..." -ForegroundColor Yellow
# /leave ensures that no 'ghost' identities follow the clone into your domain
dsregcmd /leave
Start-Sleep -Seconds 5

Write-Host "Renaming computer to $NewName..." -ForegroundColor Cyan
Rename-Computer -NewName $NewName -Force

Write-Host "Resetting KMS CMID..." -ForegroundColor Cyan
& slmgr.vbs /rearm

Write-Host "Joining Domain $Domain..." -ForegroundColor Cyan
# This will prompt for credentials and reboot the machine
Add-Computer -DomainName $Domain -Restart

How to Execute the Script for Disk Clone Cleanup Automation:

The simplest method is to store the script on a USB stick. After booting into the desktop for the first time, insert the drive, right-click the script, and select “Run with PowerShell.”

If you prefer it to run automatically, place the script in C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp on the source machine BEFORE cloning. Just ensure you delete the script (or the STARTUP entry) or incorporate a line for self-deletion after the domain join is successful to prevent looping each time the user logs in!

Who is WittyTool Disk Clone For?

Enterprises typically leverage Microsoft SCCM, Intune combined with Autopilot, or Invanti Endpoint Manager for their deployments. Unlike most administrators, I have a fondness for Windows Deployment Services (WDS), but:

1. Utilising WDS necessitates grappling with Sysprep challenges.
2. WDS is officially deprecated for Windows 11 and Server 2025:
   • It is only supported for deploying Windows 10, Server 2019, and Server 2022.
   • Even Server 2022 presents a non-blocking warning indicating that the feature is approaching its end of life.

WittyTool is also beneficial for home users alongside several other tools like Macrium Reflect and Aomei Backupper, especially for migrating from one disk to another. However, its real strength lies in servicing Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs). These smaller firms, often without a dedicated disk imaging solution, can waste precious time trying to onboard new machines into their domain with a uniform configuration.

The Wrap

Successfully completing a disk clone for business computers demands considerable effort. Larger organisations typically utilise sophisticated tools like SCCM and SysPrep to modify their SIDs, whilst small business IT teams often lack the resources, expertise, and bandwidth necessary for these tasks. This is precisely where WittyTool excels; it offers the capability to clone your disk (whether encrypted or not) and change the computer’s Security Identifier (SID). Post-cloning, you simply need to run our script to wrap up the machine naming and domain joining procedures.