A couple of weeks ago, I asked for advice on creating a Windows 11 master image for the new workstations we're planning to purchase soon. I've gone through the basics of using Sysprep and DISM to set it up. I configured a workstation in Audit mode, installed all the necessary applications, and used the Generalize option with Sysprep before shutting it down. After that, I captured the image to a USB drive using DISM. So far, so good! But now I'm confused about how to properly use the install.wim file since my installation originally came with an install.esd file. I followed some instructions to convert the wim to esd and replaced the original file in the bootable USB. When I tested it, the installation failed and rebooted. I then successfully ran the installation with the original esd file but without the applications I wanted. I'm stuck trying to figure out how to finish the image with all necessary applications included. Can anyone help me with this?
2 Answers
It seems like when you replaced the esd file with your new install.wim, the swap might not have gone through properly. A tip is to look into the OSDCloud project. It uses generic ESD files or allows you to use your own images, which could simplify things for you. Just remember to shrink your USB key and add a second partition for the OSDCloud folder—they're really helpful.
Not to dampen your spirits, but what you’re trying is pretty outdated and can be cumbersome. You might want to explore cloud deployment options like Autopilot and Intune. If you're looking for a free way to start, WDS/MDT could work for your initial base image, but you might want to gradually transition to more modern solutions in the future!
My company is small, so full enterprise solutions aren't really feasible for us. I'm just trying to get a bootable master image that simplifies the setup for new machines.