Capture Customized Windows Image by WDS

by SinaOnline System Training
Step 1: Prepare the Reference Computer
Install Windows on a reference computer.
Customize the Windows installation as needed (install applications, configure settings, etc.).
Step 2: Sysprep the Reference Computer
Open a command prompt with administrative privileges.
Navigate to the Sysprep folder (usually located at C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep).
Run the Sysprep tool with the following options:
bash
sysprep.exe /generalize /oobe /shutdown /unattend:unattend.xml
  • /generalize: Prepares the Windows installation to be imaged.
  • /oobe: Configures the computer to boot to Windows Welcome upon the next restart.
  • /shutdown: Shuts down the computer after Sysprep completes.
  • /unattend:unattend.xml: Specifies an unattend.xml file to automate the Sysprep process. This file is optional but recommended for consistency.

Step 3: Boot the Reference Computer into Windows PE

  • Insert a bootable media (USB drive or DVD) containing Windows PE.
  • Boot the reference computer from the bootable media.

Step 4: Capture the Image

  • In Windows PE, open a command prompt.
  • Use the WDSUTIL command to capture the image. For example:

mathematica
WDSUTIL /Verbose /Progress /Capture-Image /Image:”CustomImage” /Name:”Custom Image” /Description:”Customized Windows Image” /CaptureDir:”D:\Captures”

  • /Image:"CustomImage": Specifies the name for the captured image.
  • /Name:"Custom Image": Specifies a friendly name for the captured image.
  • /Description:"Customized Windows Image": Provides a description for the captured image.
  • /CaptureDir:"D:\Captures": Specifies the directory to store the captured image.

Step 5: Upload the Captured Image to WDS Server

  • After capturing the image, navigate to the WDS server.
  • Use the WDS MMC snap-in or the WDSUTIL command to upload the captured image to the server.

Step 6: Create an Install Image

  • In the WDS MMC snap-in, right-click on “Install Images” and select “Add Install Image.”
  • Specify the location of the captured image file and follow the wizard to create the install image.

Step 7: Deploy the Image

  • Boot a client computer from the network using PXE boot.
  • Select the customized image from the WDS server for deployment.
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to deploy the image to the client computer.

Make sure to test the deployment thoroughly before deploying to production environments.