Solved System Preparation Tool

[feetand nches]

Hey guys, I know some of you use this tool and was hoping some would comment on it to get me thinking correctly about how it works. I'm hoping to use an Image to Install on customers computers with my Retail Version of Windows 7 using Audit Mode and sysprep.

I have a Hurricane Bearing down on me so this is not a Do It Today type of thing. In fact, I've been wanting to do this for a long time but never saw the Good As Usual directions here at SevenForums.

I'm sure others are tired of installing Windows 7, I know I am. It takes way too long, but I like it and want more people using it if they can, and take them off their Upgraded W10 machine back to what the original install of Windows 7 when they need a reinstall. First Question:

1. I think I am suppose to use "Audit Mode" During the Clean Install of W7 reading this LINK
a. Once Installed Reboot into Audit Mode to make the Custom Image with all the desired Software etc.
b. Then Boot into Audit Mode again to create the Image using built in W7 Tool, OR, Boot from a Third Party Tool to Create the Custom Image?

2. As I understand it, I can use the built in Imaging tool OR a Third party to create the Image after sysprep has run, then I can use that Image as many times as I need? Hmm, think I read something about this a while back saying that the Image could only be used so many times unless some kind of work around was done to do so?
a. So which one would be best Imaging Tool to use?
b. It's also interesting to me that this can be done with an Image and not cloning, this must be because of Sysprep Tool doing what it does?

Thanks for any Input, Nasty7

 

[Megahertz07]

I'm not sure if I understood what you want to do.
The program most people use in this forum to clone or make backup images (disk or partitions) is Macrium Software | Your Image is Everything

 

[feetand nches]

I'm hoping to use an Image to Install on customers computers with my Retail Version of Windows 7 using Audit Mode and sysprep.

Is this what you wanted Meg? I want to create an image that I can use on any Windows 7 machine I need to do a reinstall on. Using Audit Mode, then set it up with a few pieces of software, then sysprep to allow it to be installed on various computers.

 

[Megahertz07]

- You can use Kari tutorial from the links you provided and create an image as built in administrator. Then after leaving Audit mode and shut down, make an image and replicate the images to the HDD of your customers. When booted on the target computer it will proceed with OOBE to create the user profile and it will look for the drivers to that computer.
- If you clone the disk or use an image to replicate, they won't activate as they have different LAN MAC address. You will need a different license to each one.

 

[feetand nches]

Megahertz07, I will give this a go as soon as the Hurricane passes, just to be safe. I have a few spare laptops I'll try it on, thanks a lot for all your help as usual.

I take it while in "Audit Mode" I can do all the things I need to, Like...All the Updates also?

I think I'll use Macrium as that is what I'm learning to do now.

Nasty7

 

[Megahertz07]

I don't know what is more devastating, the hurricanes (that Trump says it's not related to global warming) or our public administrators that stole billions.

For the updates MS releases SP2 for Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[feetand nches]

Politicians! Arrrrrrg, liars.

Thanks for the good Update Link! I've been doing something similar to that but not all. I install the Service Stack and the Rollup and all the others come through in all cases so far.

I can't wait to try this sysprep out Megahertz07. I wouldn't even be posting now, but the storm changed direction and slowed down a little.

Nasty7

 

[feetand nches]

I created the Image, I hope LOL. I'm close to ready to Deploy the sysprep Image. How do I Deploy the sysprep Image, onto a ntfs formatted partition, or Unallocated?

 

[Megahertz07]

Read this post:
Unattended Windows 7 Pro with patch and IE installer for multiple PCs - Windows 7 Help Forums

- Once you exit Sysprep, take the disk out and put it on a desktop. Boot with the desktop disk and make a source disk image with Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect Free.
Then, Also with Macrium, transfer the source disk image to the other target disks.

 

[feetand nches]

Read this post:
Unattended Windows 7 Pro with patch and IE installer for multiple PCs - Windows 7 Help Forums

- Once you exit Sysprep, take the disk out and put it on a desktop. Boot with the desktop disk and make a source disk image with Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect Free.
Then, Also with Macrium, transfer the source disk image to the other target disks.

That is already done, OOTB and sysprep, Primary Image created. The question was, do I format the Target Drive as NTFS? This would be the Drive I am Imaging/Deploying/Installing (or whatever it's called) the sysprep Image too.

Thanks

 

[Megahertz07]

Just apply the images to the disks. As you have a disk image, when you apply it to a target disk, it will do all partitions. .

 

[feetand nches]

I Deployed the Image and it worked beautifully! Thanks Megahertz07. No more spending my whole afternoon Installing Windows 7 anymore!

Nasty7

 

[Megahertz07]

Glad you did. Have a nice weekend.

 

[feetand nches]

I was thinking about creating more sysprep images. I was wondering, will it matter if I Run Sysprep on an SSD, and create the image from the SSD to deploy to an HDD? The reason being, is just out of convenience. I had an old but good SSD laying around, and it is small enough that it would be good to Image From. 120GB, would be good I believe to create an image from. Not ideal, but again convenient.

Also, what happens if I create an Image from a 1TB Drive and Deploy it onto a, let's say, 500GB Drive, will this work, or will I need to Make the C Drive smaller prior to running sysprep?

Also, same as above, will there be any issue Deploying to an SSD From and image created on an HDD?

I would like to do this with all my OS's, W7, W7Pro, W8.1. Then if I am in a hurry, I can deploy these quickly.

Thanks again, this has been lot's of fun.