Error sending shutdown command building Windows Server 2022/2025

[gianmarco-mameli]

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Packer Version

1.15.1

Packer Plugin Version

2.1.2

Plugin Builder

• vsphere-iso
• vsphere-clone
• vsphere-supervisor

Plugin Post-Processor

• vsphere
• vsphere-template

vSphere Version

8.0.3.00000

Description

Hi, I'm having trouble closing a build of Windows Server 2022 and 2025 via Packer on vSphere 8.0.3.00000.
The shutdown command it's a simple script to launch the sysprep but after it's correct execution and shutdown of the machine, the build goes to error, like the build doesn't know the correct launch and execution

Packer Configuration

Packer config
https://gist.github.com/gianmarco-mameli/3b879285dfa33e68e4e7bbca5ffddc28

sysprep.cmd content

cmd /c "C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\sysprep.exe /generalize /oobe /shutdown"

Debug Output

https://gist.github.com/gianmarco-mameli/86c18f633a31f1064acc9715bab812c4

Panic Output

No response

Expected Behavior

The build is correctly closed and exported

Actual Behavior

The build fail, the log says the shutdown command it's not executed

Steps to Reproduce

Use the config provided an see the log

Environment Details

No response

Screenshots

No response

References

No response

[tanerg]

@gianmarco-mameli I'm facing the same issue, did you find any workaround?

[gianmarco-mameli]

Hi @tanerg, unfortunately no, I'm trying everything but I can't make it work

[gianmarco-mameli]

Hi, I tried another test, using this command for sysprep
cmd /c "C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\sysprep.exe /generalize /oobe /quit"
In theory this command does not start the shutdown because of the quit argument, but in my tests, if I launch the script from the machine before the shutdown and with a sleep command to stop the building, it works, the sysprep it's executed and the machine stays running. The same command launched from packer in the shutdown command, runs and then the machine it's powered off.
Something it's not right with the shutdown command, I don't find what is shutting down the machine in the last case
BTW, I also tried with the last release of packer, 1.15.3, no luck

[gianmarco-mameli]

Hi, I found a workaround that is functioning for now, in this comment
Using the suggested code in the Unattend Generalize component, the net interface it's not removed when the sysprep is done, so the build closes correctly.
I don't know why in the past was working, but for now it's ok for me

[tanerg]

Hi @gianmarco-mameli, I can confirm this works for me as well. I came across the same comment while searching for a solution. That said, I still believe something changed, because everything was working before.