Create Windows disk image

[getthatgeek]

I want to create a disk image that I can install on lots of SSD's, ready for installation on customers computers whenever needed. Ideally, I will have the SSDs preloaded with the image and it will be as simple as installing the drive and doing some driver updates - is this a possibility?

 

[NviGate Systems]

Yes.

Do some research on "Sysprep" and you will learn about that amazing tool, free, built into Windows.

Ideally you want a spare PC or a VM to set this up on, as every new build of Windows you will need to re do it.

 

[brandonkick]

You can even use a DISM server to deploy the image to many SSDs at once if you have a few bench machines around.

Capture and Apply Windows using a WIM file

Capture and apply Windows using a single WIM file

docs.microsoft.com

 

[nlinecomputers]

Sounds easy, doesn't it?

Now think about activation and licensing.

What of it? Sysprep installs without a license so you are prompted or the image grabs the key from the BIOS on first boot up.

Now if you are speaking of the legality of doing this. Then there is an issue in that Microsoft technically only permits it for Volume License holders. We in the repair business are not supposed to do it. That said Microsoft isn't going to do anything to you unless you cost them money. Syspreped images don't take any money away from M$. It is a labor-saving move for techs. WIn 10 on an SSD installs so fast that I've not made an image in years. I used to keep a Windows 7 image up to date all the time. Don't see the need now.

 

[johnrobert]

Maybe I missed something but it only takes minutes to install Win 10, then use Snappy to update drivers
Not much to install nowadays maybe Acrobat and Chrome every client will be different.
as for activation it usually activates when online, sometimes I use Gatherall to save a genuine key for activation if they had Win7
You might be making work

 

[timeshifter]

WIn 10 on an SSD installs so fast that I've not made an image in years. I used to keep a Windows 7 image up to date all the time. Don't see the need now.

Same. I used to keep a Windows 7 Home and Pro image that was mostly up to date and just use that to clean install. But Windows 10 is so fast (well maybe it's about the SSD) that there is no need to fool with images (for me).

 

[Markverhyden]

I've never read a thing about M$ placing strictures about installation methods based upon license type within their Licensing documentation. That being said I'd just build an installer based on the latest version as published by M$ if it would be different/unknown hardware. If it was more controlled, say a single vendor environment, I'd sysprep an image from that environment and use that.

 

[sapphirescales]

What of it? Sysprep installs without a license so you are prompted or the image grabs the key from the BIOS on first boot up.

Now if you are speaking of the legality of doing this. Then there is an issue in that Microsoft technically only permits it for Volume License holders. We in the repair business are not supposed to do it. That said Microsoft isn't going to do anything to you unless you cost them money. Syspreped images don't take any money away from M$. It is a labor-saving move for techs. WIn 10 on an SSD installs so fast that I've not made an image in years. I used to keep a Windows 7 image up to date all the time. Don't see the need now.

Haha, I didn't use images at all until Windows 10. Why? Because of the stupid live tiles. They fail to work at least 50% of the time even if you leave the computer on for days and days. Now I image every time I need to install Windows to make sure I can make a user account where the piece of crap live tiles actually work.

With Windows 11 I've been using image less and less. Leave it to Microsoft to have a glaring problem with a major part of their OS and have them just ignore it indefinitely. Windows 10/11 "apps" need to go back to the drawing board. They're buggy, unstable pieces of crap. But at least with live tiles dead I don't have to worry about images anymore.