In Vista, the plan is to run:
%windir%\System32\Sysprep\Sysprep.exe
In sysprep dialog that opens, choose System Cleanup Action as Enter System Out-of-Box-Experience (OOBE), select Generalize, select Shutdown Options Shutdown.
This has always failed as reported by the program. I know that Windows Media Player Network service must be stopped before running sysprep, but will NIS interfere with this procedure?