Surface Pro 4 problems after sysprep and latest upgrade

Okay here's the deal;
I have seven of these to set up for users here at work, and we have several applications that need to be preconfigured and standardized for users. Thus the boot into Audit Mode for setup and Sysprepping with "CopyProfile=True" in my xml file.

First two bombed and Microsoft Support has been no help. Their suggestion is that I return it to the point of purchase as defective. I'll skip the obvious rant and move on.

First symptom that reared its ugly head was that accounts that log in after the latest version update are flawed in that the Start Menu doesn't work and there's no context menu on icons in the taskbar. I haven't dug any deeper for symptoms.

Second symptom, which came up after a fresh image downloaded from Microsoft was freezing during SysPrep, but on this attempt I installed all the updates before I sysprepped instead of after.

The second Surface exhibited the same symptoms as the first. It was SysPrepped, then updated.

I know the short answer is either "don't upgrade" or "don't sysprep" but neither of those are viable options. I can (I think) block the upgrade from happening, but that's not really what I want to do. Not SysPrepping means I'm going to be holding a LOT of hands helping users configure their profiles and hunting down applications, not something I have time for.

Any ideas or suggestions appreciated. Also, if I've missed something, just ask. I'll flag this thread for notification.

Thanks

Joe

UPDATE;
For anyone following the thread; I can disable the version update by checking the "Defer Upgrades" box in Windows Update - Advanced.
Not really a solution, but a workaround that will have to do for now.

If anything further develops, I'll pass it along.

pricetech said:

First symptom that reared its ugly head was that accounts that log in after the latest version update are flawed in that the Start Menu doesn't work and there's no context menu on icons in the taskbar. I haven't dug any deeper for symptoms.

I encountered this issue also. Part of my build is disabling windows firewall as we use different product. I had to re enable the windows firewall and within a few seconds the Start Menu would start to work again. I could then disable the firewall again, and on reboot, logging on with the same account no longer had the issue. Creating new accounts did though, until firewall enabled again.

Would be good if MS could provide a a suface pro 4 image based on latest Win 10 Nov build.

Interesting. I too had disabled the firewall on those first few I was working with. When I get a chance to tinker, I'll see if I get the same results as you.

New Member - I'm trying to grab an Image from the Surface Pro 4.
I'd like to have an Out of the Box Image. I normally use Ghost to Image our units for deployment. It's not allowing me to boot from the USB. I'm Open to Any Suggestions.

Does this option work for you? Power + Volume up to get into the BIOS?
Boot Microsoft Surface from a USB device

VikingKen said:

New Member - I'm trying to grab an Image from the Surface Pro 4.
I'd like to have an Out of the Box Image. I normally use Ghost to Image our units for deployment. It's not allowing me to boot from the USB. I'm Open to Any Suggestions.

VikingKen said:

New Member - I'm trying to grab an Image from the Surface Pro 4.
I'd like to have an Out of the Box Image. I normally use Ghost to Image our units for deployment. It's not allowing me to boot from the USB. I'm Open to Any Suggestions.

Well, Symantec have a few issues with Surface Pro's at present Symantec - Ghost Compatibility with Microsoft Surface Pro Tablets

I was able to get around it by booting from a recovery USB key - Download a recovery image for Microsoft Surface and then opening a command prompt in which i then manually launched ghost64.exe in order to make an image. I am still testing but so far i am able to make an image and restore it