I am wondering is there any method i can use to insert all the programs and applications I need to Windows 7 DVD and when I do unattended installation I like it to install everything I want.
Also I like to know what is this process or method called, so that i can look for it in google better.
thanks in advance
Hello london77, welcome to Seven Forums!
It's called creating an image, have a look at this tutorial at the link below for a place to start and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.
Imaging with free Macrium
You could also look into the Windows Automated Installation Kit
Download details: The Windows® Automated Installation Kit (AIK) for Windows® 7
Win7 built-in Imaging isn't bad, either: Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup
Save a baseline image after you have it set up and running perfectly, cleaned and defragged. Later if you save an updated image save the original image in a folder so you maintain a path back to baseline without corruption which can and will creep in.
When time comes to reimage, use the most current image if you need it up and running quickly. But in place of reinstall, use the baseline image taken out of folder and put back into root of external or secondary HD to be detected: System Image Recovery
thanks for the great help!
now I know its called "imaging".
Now, lets check if i understand right.
First i install windows 7, and tweak it in a way i want, install any softwares and programs.
Then, i have the image of it using Imaging Tools from Windows or third party tools and put it to USB/DVD/Network/another hard disk
And, whenever I need to reinstall Windows7 , instead of doing clean install, i can use this image.?
Did I understand right?
If i did, then one more question, does this imaging take only the image of Windos7 or it icludes other softwares or programs installed in it as well?
Thanks again..
The image includes whatever you have installed at the moment the image is taken.
I would not tweak Win7 like many did XP or Vista to make them faster. Win7 is already a perfectly balanced OS which needs no tweaking beyond normal system settings.
Here are tips for getting a purrfect install - use the ones which apply.
Just remember that the image is a point in time snapshot of exactly what is on your computer. You can restore this image to this machine...but you cannot really use it to effective install onto other machines as well.
My suggestion, install just the OS, patch it, and activate it then take an image (call it plain vanilla image). Then install your apps, make your tweaks and then when happy, make a second image. (call this customized). Then, down the road you can determine if you want to use the customized install, or plain vanilla. You never know when the apps that you use everyday now, aren't the same apps 12 months down the road. With a clean image, you get to ready to your new apps more quickly.
You can use Macrium Reflect which is a free imaging application and we have a good tutorial on this site for using it. Other solutions are Acronis True Image (costs $) and EaseUS todo Backp (also free).. Also, the built-in Windows "system image" utility can get the job done, but the other apps offer more functionality.
The preferred freebies are Win7 Backup Imaging, Macrium Reflect and Paragon 10.
If you have a WD or Seagate HD you can use a free version of Acronis' premium cloning/imaging app. The manual is on the Downloads page:
| Seagate
WD Support
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