There are two different ways of booting into Vista — Windows Welcome and Audit Mode. Windows Welcome or OOBE (out of box experience) is the typical pathway and provides the user the customization wizards. Audit Mode, however, will allow the user to skip the Windows Welcome and boot directly onto the desktop as quickly as possible.
Audit mode allows admins to install drivers and applications while skipping the Windows Welcome.
Here are 2 ways to enter audit mode…
- From Windows Welcome screen, press SHIFT+CTRL+F3.
- Use Sysprep:
- Open a command prompt
- Type cd C:\Windows\system32\sysprep and press enter
- Type sysprep /audit and hit enter
- Upon next reboot, the system will boot into audit mode.
- You can also add the reseal audit mode option in unattended installs.
*If you are on a domain when you enter Audit Mode you will be disconnected, so you will have to rejoin in Audit Mode.