What is Audit Mode in Windows 10? How to boot in or out of Audit mode?

So you want to make a pre-defined windows image so that you can boot up your other machines with preconfigured settings? Well, there’s Audit mode for windows...

Rahul Verma

Last updated on July 28, 2022

Rahul Verma

Author

Rahul is a Computer Science student with a massive interest in the field of Tech and cryptocurrency topics. He spends most of his time either writing or listening to music or traveling un-seen places. He believes that chocolate is the solution to all his problems. Life happens, and coffee helps.

What is Audit Mode in Windows 10

Ever imagined how OEMs and corporations customize Windows in their computer. Well, they customize Windows images in Audit Mode. The mode can be used for creating a customized Windows image. Every OEM and Corporation can customize Windows manually before shipping the device to the end-user. However, Audit Mode can be also used for private reasons, and there are no restrictions to use Audit mode by anyone. By using this mode, you can make your computer boot much faster and can pre-install software and diver packages into your Windows image.

You can preset the updates that will run on your Windows and can have multiple images. And the options for customization in Audit Mode are vast; you can change and install anything in Windows image to create a unique or personal Windows system.

how audit mode windows 10 works

By using Audit mode, you can Bypass OOBE and can access the desktop as quickly as possible; the settings like user account, location, and time zone will be pre-configured. You can connect to a network and can run scripts; it makes adding of a language pack is very easy. You can perform tests without creating a user account. Installing custom-requested applications and specific drivers are easy, and if you wanna have the same images to all of your devices, you can just edit the image using audit mode and have a copy of it, and later, you can install on your devices.

How to boot into Audit Mode in Windows 10

Audit Mode is a flexible tool for private users to customize Windows before the first setup. Moreover, you can make any tweaks to your system that corporations may not have done for you. Also, you can have windows images for your future devices. To know how to enter into Audit Mode, follow the following steps.

Step 1) When Cortana appears on the Welcome screen press CRTL + Shift + F3. If you are using a Laptop, press the Fn Key.

Step 2) Your computer will boot automatically, and you will be logged in to Audit Mode. A Prompt will appear, asking you about the System Preparation Tool. If an installation or setting change asks you to restart your computer, select the System Cleanup Action then Enter System Audit Mode and Shutdown Option “Restart.”

This will save the settings. Restart your computer, and you will be back to Audit Mode.

Important

After you log into the Windows 10 Audit mode, you will be prompted by System Preparation Tool window. It is used for saving and finalizing your audit settings.

Please do not cross/end this window. This is used for saving your audit settings and log out safely from Audit mode.

Now you will be using your Windows in Audit Mode. Here, you can apply all the settings and customizations. All the updates/settings done by you will be automatically saved.

How to Exit Audit Mode in Windows 10

After you have done your customization, it’s important that you exit from Audit Mode sometimes, it is troublesome to get out of Audit mode, but here is the method that you can follow.

Select System Cleanup Action, Enter to SystemOut-of-box Experience(OOBE).

windows 10 audit mode exit prompt

Make sure to tick the Generalize option. Select the ShutDown Option ” Shutdown” to set up the computer. Restart to set up the computer for a new user.

Note: The generalize Checkbox will remove unique information from your Windows installation.

Conclusion

Windows 10 Audit mode is a great tool for offices, network administrators, computer lab technicians, and much more. And windows audit mode gives you the freedom to completely customize your PC at the installation phase. So you can enjoy the same settings and set of apps on multiple computers without going into the installation Hazzard. Most companies use the Audit mode for installing their third party apps and set of drivers. For more interesting stuff on Windows 10, make sure to bookmark us.

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What is Audit Mode in Windows 10? How to boot in or out of Audit mode?