Preparing a Hardware Independent Windows 7 Image

The purpose of this Instructable is to allow system administrators of multiple computers to create a single system image that can then be pushed onto multiple machines easily.  This saves time as an image can be pushed in just a few hours versus having to manually install everything on each machine.  Expect creating the image to take up to several weeks depending on how many applications are required.

Materials Required:

• A spare computer or a virtual machine
• Another computer that can be used to assist with the imaging process
  (It will be helpful to have Windows 7 installed on it as well)
• A copy of Windows 7 Enterprise
  (We are using a KMS Licensing Server on campus instead of product keys, however each setup may be different)
• Any additional software that may be required in the image
• A copy of an imaging software
  (I personally use FSArchiver, however Norton Ghost or Acronis are also good choices)
• Internet access
• A blank DVD and a DVD burner

NOTE:

If using a spare computer make sure that the processor is an AMD or that Intel machines are the only computers that will be restored to in the future.  For some reason Intel's processor driver is incompatible with AMD machines but not vice versa.  Also, if using a virtual machine, make sure to run it on a computer that's powerful enough to run both the original operating system as well as the virtual machine.

Step 1 Install Windows

To install Windows 7, insert the windows disc into the computer or mount the virtual disc image if using a virtual machine.  Then, press any key to start up off of the Windows disc when prompted.  After that, follow the image notes for a more detailed description of each of the settings.  Once you get to the username dialog box, after the reboot, press ctrl-shift-f3 to enter audit mode.

Comments

[tmattock23]

+OOBE

HideEulaPage=true
NetworkLocation=Work
ProtectYourPC=true

**You'll want to replace "true" with "1" for "ProtectYourPC" with the latest AIK, this will default to install all recommended updates.