Custom Windows Installations - Windows 7

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    Custom Windows Installations - Windows 7

    Custom Windows Installations - Windows 7

    How to Use vLite to Trim Down Windows 7 for a Custom Installation
    Published by
    Designer Media Ltd


    How to Use vLite to Trim Down Windows 7 for a Custom Installation

       Information
    For anyone who has ever used Windows, there is one fact that can never be denied...it is bloated. Even with Windows 7 having a lower footprint and more customization than Windows Vista, it is still bloated. This tutorial aims to help the user with using vLite: a program designed by a developer named nuhi. To summarize the program's ability, it takes in the source files of a Windows Vista/7 installation, you choose an edition to modify, and then components can be added, modified, or deleted.

       Warning
    Attempting to make a custom installation of Windows is not a daunting task but many things can go wrong...as always follow my optional testing environment below to make sure that any issues won't be encountered when a clean install is performed on your native hardware. Please note that it is highly inadvisable to do an upgrade with a lite build...always do a clean install


    PREREQUISITES
    Windows Vista/7 (RC or above recommended)
    A CPU that supports Virtualization (optional)
    2GB or more of RAM (optional, for Virtual PC/VMWare/etc.)
    6GB or more of free Hard Disk Space
       Tip
    Install either Virtual PC 2007, VMware Workstation or another virtualization solution to test your builds in a virtual environment before testing on native hardware.




    Heres How:
    1. To start off download vLite and the Windows Vista SP1 WAIK.
       Warning
    To guarantee no compatibility issues between vLite and Windows 7, set the vLite installer for Windows Vista compatibility and run as a administrator. Do the same for the WAIK setup.exe on the ISO. When running vLite always run as an administrator.

       Tip
    Download MagicDisc or another ISO mount program and just mount the WAIK instead of burning it to a DVD


    2. Browse to the location of the installation files.
    Custom Windows Installations - Windows 7-vlite-interface.png
       Tip
    If you choose a DVD or a mounted ISO than you will be required to copy all files off the media to a location on the computer.


    3. Choose your edition of Windows to modify.
    NOTE: I will be using Ultimate edition in this tutorial and in all my INIs.
    Custom Windows Installations - Windows 7-os-choice.png
    4. Choose your options.

    • Integration
    • Components
    • Tweaks
    • Unattended setup (Do not select this one if modifying Windows 7)
    • Bootable ISO
      • Enable before apply.(Click this to make an ISO at any time during this process)

    Custom Windows Installations - Windows 7-task-selection.png
    5. Integration Tab: Hotfixes, Drivers, and Language Packs.
    Custom Windows Installations - Windows 7-integration-tab.png
    ·For Hotfixes you will need either the .cab or .msu of the update (these can normally be found on Microsoft's website...Windows Vista only right now)
    ·For Drivers you will need the *.ini(s) of the driver...these can be found in the folders of driver installers (use Google)
    ·For Language Packs you will need to find the .cab of the language you want to install (use Google)
       Tip
    Can't select anything in these windows? Don't forget to hit the enable button in the top left hand corner.

    6. Components Tab: Select from the categories listed. Their explanations will be available when you highlight an entry including any possible warnings.
    Custom Windows Installations - Windows 7-components-tab.png
       Tip
    When you click on the tab you will notice that a windows comes up with presets (ex. Aero Glass). Check beside one of these to hide the services/files needed for that feature so you don't accidentally delete/corrupt it.

    7. Tweak Tab: Choose various tweaks to enable by default.
    Custom Windows Installations - Windows 7-tweaks-tab.png
    8.Hit apply and watch vLite strip 7 down to your specifications. You can choose to either rebuild one edition (your chosen one), all of them, or just save changes.
    Custom Windows Installations - Windows 7-edition-rebuild.png

    Custom Windows Installations - Windows 7-applying.png
       Tip
    It is generally not recommended to rebuild all editions when you hit apply…this just wastes space considering you are going for the edition you chose


    9. Deployment: Choose a method below
    ·The USB Key Method – Follow the link above to use your modified source files on a USB Key for installation
    ·The Burn Disc Method – Proceed to the ISO tab and choose “Direct Burn”. Give it a label and if necessary you can split the image up on multiple media. Hit “Make ISO” and your done
    Custom Windows Installations - Windows 7-iso-tab.png
    Hope it helps
    Chris








  1. Posts : 2,111
    Win7 Build 7600 x86
       #1

    Great tutorial,

    Will test it soon, when I find the time.

    Greetz
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 302
    Windows 7 RTM x64
       #2

    Nice work!
    Can i add wallpapers and some programs to it? I mean portable programs that is enough to copy to the right place.
    How can I save all my currently used driver to use it in the installer? (sorry it is OFF)
    Is it legal to modify the original installer?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 5,807
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64 - Mac OS X 10.6.4 x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Robert Cartman said:
    Nice work!
    Can i add wallpapers and some programs to it? I mean portable programs that is enough to copy to the right place.
    How can I save all my currently used driver to use it in the installer? (sorry it is OFF)
    Is it legal to modify the original installer?
    Im checking on the wallpaper/programs thing right now. When you run the installer of the driver...most of the time it dumps a folder pertaining to the driver and any apps that come with it in the program files folder. If you check its folder in there more than likely you will find the ini of the driver. You can also user DriverMax...it scans your current computer and outputs all the iNis...just as easy as that
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 322
    Windows 7 PRO x64
       #4

    Amazing.
    Congrats Zid!
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 5,807
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64 - Mac OS X 10.6.4 x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    ussj4brolli said:
    Amazing.
    Congrats Zid!
    I am glad you liked it...would have had it early if I hadn't literally fell asleep on my keyboard...
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 322
    Windows 7 PRO x64
       #6

    Zidane24 said:
    I am glad you liked it...would have had it early if I hadn't literally fell asleep on my keyboard...
    Get some sleep!
    Or, buy a faster CPU instead of waiting for loading screens..(been there back in the day).lol, JK as i havnt even looked at your specs :P
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 6,305
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #7

    Nice work mate, well done
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 70
    Windows 7 X64
       #8

    Wow great tutorial!! Ill be tryng this one for sure its tempting to build own custom W7 installer lol! Is it possible to also put some apps/software that will be install together with W7
      My Computer

  9.    #9

    Nice tutorial
      My Computer


 
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