Windows 7 Windows 7 Deployment - Best method to take and deploy an image

Image Creation and Deployment for Windows 7:​

1. Creating the .XML file and Sealing up Windows 7:
   • The Windows AIK provides tools like Windows System Image Manager (SIM) to create and edit unattended answer files in XML format. This file automates Windows Setup during installation.
   • You can customize settings such as network configurations, product key, language settings, and more within the unattended answer file.
   []Configuring Mini Setup:
   • To prompt for a computer name, join a domain, and give a new Security Identifier (SID), you would specify these configurations in your unattended answer file.
   • Settings like ComputerName, JoinDomain, and DoAutoJoin under the Microsoft-Windows-UnattendedJoin component will help you achieve this.
   []Capturing the Image:
   • Symantec Ghost is not natively supported for Windows 7 imaging. However, you can use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool to capture and apply images.
   • DISM allows you to capture, modify, and apply Windows images in the Windows Imaging File Format (WIM).
   • You can create a capture image using the dism /Capture-Image command and store it on a network share for deployment.

     Additional Recommendations:​

     • Consider transitioning to Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) or System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) for more advanced deployment scenarios.
     • Evaluate Windows Deployment Services (WDS) for network-based deployment if you plan to set up a server.
     • Explore third-party imaging solutions like Acronis True Image or Clonezilla for creating and deploying images without a server.
     By following these steps and exploring the recommended tools, you can streamline the process of creating and deploying Windows 7 images in your organization. Feel free to ask if you need more specific guidance on any of these steps! Best regards, [Your Name]