Preinstallation Methods

Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2

There are many ways to install Windows®. This section describes the three supported deployment methods: from an image, from a configuration set, and from a DVD.

Every manufacturing process has advantages and disadvantages. The right choice for you and your company depends on factors such as:

• The number and type of computers that you plan to manufacture.

• Whether your manufacturing model is build-to-plan (BTP), build-to-order (BTO), or a combination of these models.

• How much you customize the operating system.

• How much you automate your deployment processes.

• The quality checks that you perform on both hardware components and manufactured computers.

• The existing infrastructure of your company.

• Your company's growth rate and business goals.

Comparison of Deployment Methods

The following table summarizes and compares the basic methods, according to the following three features.

• Speed: The time to manufacture and deliver the computers

• Volume: The number of manufactured computers

• Customization: The amount of automated modifications made to the installed software

Deployment Methods

The following section describes the general process of each method. You can modify the methods to fit your business needs.

Installing from an Image

This method gives you the most flexibility in your manufacturing environment, and enables you to duplicate multiple computers quickly. By creating a base image, you can apply it onto multiple computers with identical configuration. You can also customize the base image to meet the requirements of a specific order or a specific customer. These methods are also known as build-to-plan (BTP) or build-to-order (BTO). The BTP method is to deploy an image of the reference installation without customizing the destination computers. The BTO method is to deploy an image of the reference installation to the destination computers, which are started in audit mode and customized to order.

When adjusted for your specific manufacturing environment, this method significantly decreases the time required to manufacture each computer. For example, if you give your customers a choice from a standardized range of applications, you can stage many or all of these applications in the reference installation. In audit mode (Sysprep /Audit), install the required applications and delete the remaining applications. This method is faster than installing each required application on the factory floor. For more information about using audit mode, see Customize Windows in Audit Mode.

Each time you build a computer by using this method, you start from a known, tested reference installation. When the components change within your manufacturing environment, you need to test only those modifications on top of the known reference installation, significantly reducing the testing time required for building and testing a completely new reference installation.

This method provides the most comprehensive automated solution. By using various implementations of Unattend.xml, you can automate all or part of the installation process. However, fully implementing an automated version of this method does require more preparation time. The following diagram depicts the process of an image-based deployment.

The basic process of this method is:

1. Build a reference installation with as many customizations as necessary, where these customizations apply across an entire product line or all of the computers that you manufacture. As this installation will be deployed across multiple computers, it is important that it be thoroughly tested.

2. If the installation is ready for deployment and delivery, shut down the operating system by using the System Preparation tool (Sysprep) and the Sysprep /Oobe /Generalize /Shutdown command. If you plan on customizing the installation before delivery, use the Sysprep command with the /audit option.

3. Use the ImageX tool to capture an image of the reference installation, and then store the image on a distribution share specified by the Windows System Image Manager (Windows SIM) tool.

4. Assemble the hardware for the destination computer.

5. Start the destination computer with the Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) tool.

6. Configure the hard disk of the destination computer and duplicate the image of the reference installation onto the hard disk.

7. (Optional) If you ran the Sysprep command with the /Audit option, customize the installation manually or automatically by using Unattend.xml. In this mode, you can add additional applications and configurations. Run the Sysprep command with the /Oobe, /Generalize, and /Shutdown options when you are done.

OEMs who manufacture a large number of computers may automate all or part of this process, or build a customized version of Windows PE by using the tools provided with this kit.

You can modify this process to duplicate the reference installation onto separate hard disks, and then later place those hard disks into fully assembled computers.

Installing from a Configuration Set

If you build only a small number of computers and it is not cost effective for you to build and manage images of the operating system, use the configuration set installation method. In this case, the reference computer is the destination computer.

This method is flexible and easy to maintain. It requires less time to set up any required infrastructure, but it takes more time to build each computer. The following diagram depicts the process of a configuration set deployment.

The basic process of this method is:

1. Use Windows SIM to create a configuration set on a network share.

2. Assemble the hardware for the destination computer.

3. Start the destination computer by using Windows PE.

4. Connect to the network and install the Windows operating system from the configuration set.

5. To test or customize Windows, run the Sysprep command with the /Audit option. Make your customizations in audit mode.

6. Run the Sysprep command with the /Oobe and /Shutdown options, and then deliver the computer to the customer.

Installing from a DVD

If you do not use a network or images in your manufacturing process, use the DVD-boot method. The DVD-boot method is completely manual, so it is slower. However, for low-volume businesses this method enables a high degree of manual customization. Installing from a DVD is also used to build a reference installation in image-based deployments. The following diagram depicts the process of a DVD-boot deployment.

The basic process of this method is:

1. Create an answer file by using Windows SIM, and store the answer file onto a removable media device; for example, a floppy disk or a USB flash drive (UFD). The answer file must be named Autounattend.xml.

2. Insert removable media and the Windows product DVD into the computer.

3. Start the computer.

   Windows Setup applies the settings specified in the answer file.

4. When Windows Setup is finished, you can make additional customizations and run tests.

5. Run the sysprep command with the /Oobe, /Generalize, and /Shutdown options, and then deliver the computer to the customer.

See Also

Concepts

Phase 4: Deploying Your Windows Image