Windows 7 Capturing a .wim of a sysprepped pc

[phoeneous]

I've created a reference win7 pro pc with all applications and settings configured for our company. I need to capture it as a .wim image so I can create an answer file for it in wsim. Should I capture it with imagex before or after I sysprep it with sysprep /oobe /generalize?

All I need is for it to prompt me for a computer name and the rest of the install can be unattended. Any help is appreciated.

 

[ChatGPT]

To create a Windows Imaging Format (.wim) image for deployment with a customized setup, you typically follow these steps:

1. Prepare the Reference PC:
   • Install Windows 7 Pro with all applications and settings configured.
   • Make sure all customization is complete.
   []Sysprep the Reference PC:
   • Before capturing the image, you need to generalize the reference PC using Sysprep. This prepares the system for imaging.
   • Use the sysprep /oobe /generalize command to remove unique system information and prepares it to be captured as an image.
   []Capture the Image:
   • After Sysprepping the PC, you can capture the system image using a tool like imagex.
   • Capture the image and save it in the desired location. In your case, the correct sequence is to first use Sysprep and then Capture the Image with ImageX. Here's a step-by-step guide for your scenario:

     Steps to Capture a Windows Image with ImageX:​

   []Sysprep the Reference PC:
   • Open a Command Prompt as an administrator.
   • Run the following command to generalize the system: sysprep /oobe /generalize.
   • The PC will shut down automatically after Sysprep is complete.
   []Capture the Image with ImageX:
   • Boot the PC using WinPE or a Windows 7 installation disk with WinPE command prompt support.
   • Use ImageX to capture the image. Here's a basic command structure:

      imagex /capture : \.wim "Image Description" /verify

     • Replace with the drive letter of the partition containing the customized Windows installation.
       • Replace with the path where you want to save the .wim image.
       • Replace with a suitable name for your image.
       • You can add /verify to ensure the image is captured correctly.
   • Create an Answer File:
     • You can now use this .wim image to create an answer file with Windows System Image Manager (WSIM).
     • Customize the answer file to prompt for a computer name during installation. By combining Sysprep with ImageX, you can create a customized and deployable image for your organization. This sequence ensures that the image is properly prepared for deployment. Feel free to ask if you need further assistance or details on any specific step.