An Old School Geek’s approach to Installing & Setting Up a Windows PC

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  1. Posts : 17,545
    Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
    Thread Starter
       #21

    You can always select Printable Version from Thread Tools and print it to a file to have it on your PC if you'd like to.
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  2. Posts : 6,830
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32-Bit & Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit
       #22

    I use the Windows SIM to create my XML file . It creates the partitions and installs the windows where the file tells it to . It's an unattended build. I have either in a DVD disc or USB .
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  3. Posts : 24,479
    Windows 7 Ultimate X64 SP1
       #23

    VistaKing said:
    I use the Windows SIM to create my XML file . It creates the partitions and installs the windows where the file tells it to . It's an unattended build. I have either in a DVD disc or USB .
    What is SIM? this sounds like material for another tut.
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  4. Posts : 17,545
    Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
    Thread Starter
       #24

    Windows SIM is part of the Windows AIK (WAIK), Windows Automated Installation Kit: Download Windows® AIK for Windows® 7 from Official Microsoft Download Center

    It is an quite easy to use tool to create pre-customized Windows images for deoloyment. Worth to download and try.

    For Windows 8 the same exists with a new name, Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) for Windows 8: Download Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) for Windows® 8 from Official Microsoft Download Center

    Kari
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  5. Posts : 24,479
    Windows 7 Ultimate X64 SP1
       #25

    got it from Google, SIM is System Image Manager.
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  6. Posts : 6,458
    x64 (6.3.9600) Win8.1 Pro & soon dual boot x64 (6.1.7601) Win7_SP1 HomePrem
       #26

    Nice & concise - picked up a new trick (audit mode in Win7) +rep

    Thanks,

    Bill
    .
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  7. Posts : 173
    Windows 7 Professional 32 Bit
       #27

    My current setup of my desktop:
    I have two Hard drives. 500GB and 250gb. 500gb is fairly new and I've had the 250gb for more than 7 years now.
    500gb contains Windows 7 and 250gb contains Windows XP.
    I will probably have to reinstall everything when Microsoft stops support for XP in 2014.
    When I reinstall, I would probably install Windows 7 and 8 in the 500gb hard drive. I would also install some linux distros in the 250gb hard drive.

    Is that a good plan? I would like to keep windows in the same hard drive, and linux in their own drive. How would you go about partitioning hard drive?
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  8. Posts : 17,545
    Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
    Thread Starter
       #28

    Personally I would not put two operating systems on one disk, but that's just my opinion. A mechanical failure, HDD dies and you lost both. My max amount of OSs = amount of HDDs, so for instance in your scenario I would install max two OS, Windows 7 and 8 or one Windows and one Linux.

    Just remember to give enough space for Windows partitions.

    Kari
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 37
    Windows 7 Enterprise 64bit
       #29

    Hey, thank you for article, really helpful. I am going to need this in couple days for new computer and I want to do it right finally :)

    Anyway I have question to this post below. It is really nice advantage, however it means, that when I will be returining to that backup like 2 years later, I will have to start with all those old versions of software and without windows updates ?

    Or is it still possible after restoring to go back to Audit mode again, update these apps and drivers, make new backup and than continue onward ?

    Thanks for reply.

    Kari said:
    The best part in creating an image like that is that it allows you to restore a really virgin Windows. All software and drivers installed but no user data. First boot after image restore is the OOBE boot, stopping to ask the initial username and computer name.
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  10. Posts : 17,545
    Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
    Thread Starter
       #30

    No, Fredy. That's just an initial image that allows you to restore the original Windows, when and if you want to. I for instance save this image separately not on the same partition on network storage where I save the later images.

    Later on you set up regular backup as you see fit. When you need to / want to restore, you can select which image to use: one of your later images, or to start completely from beginning restoring the initial image.

    I am a backup freak, I need to know my a** is covered. I always create this initial image twice, with Windows native Backup & Restore and with Macrium Reflect Free. Also later on I always create two images, one with Windows tool and one with Macrium.

    Whatever you do, whichever backup tool and strategy you choose, the main point with this initial image is to be able to restore a virgin Windows setup when need arises.

    Kari
      My Computer


 
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