Which tool must an administrator use to remove all computer and user-specific information before building a deployable image from a disk?

The correct tool for removing all computer and user-specific information before building a deployable image from a disk is Sysprep.exe. This utility is designed to prepare a Windows installation for imaging and deployment, ensuring that the final image does not contain unique identifiers or specific user data that could affect multiple installations.

Sysprep accomplishes this by stripping away information like security identifiers (SIDs), which are unique to each Windows installation. It allows the operating system to generalize the image so that it can be deployed across multiple machines without conflicts or issues related to user accounts or hardware configurations. By running Sysprep, an administrator can create a clean, manageable, and deployable image that sets the stage for efficient mass deployment.

Other tools like Disk Cleanup, ImageX, and Windows Backup have different primary functions. Disk Cleanup is used for freeing up space on a computer by removing unnecessary files, but it does not prepare an image for deployment. ImageX is primarily focused on capturing and applying images but does not handle the preparation of a Windows environment for duplication. Windows Backup is intended for data protection, allowing users to back up their data, rather than creating an image for deployment purposes. Hence, Sysprep.exe is the appropriate choice for the task at hand