Microsoft

Capture a Vista Windows image using Reverse Integration

By // June 17, 2009, 3:21 AM PST

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  • Install WAIK

    Having a Windows Vista install DVD with the latest service packs can be very helpful - especially if you reinstall Windows more than a couple of times a year or if you have to deploy Windows Vista to multiple computers. Alan Norton shows how he creates one - just follow these steps.

    You can get an in-depth description of these steps in the TechRepublic Microsoft Windows Blog or in the corresponding free TechRepublic Download.

    Install the Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK)

    Download and install a disk burning utility capable of burning ISO files if needed.

    Download the WAIK ISO file and burn the WAIK ISO to a DVD. Run the startcd.exe program on the DVD and select Windows AIK Setup from the Welcome to Windows Automated Installation Kit window. The installation is large. Install to a non-system logical drive if possible.

    Images by Alan Norton for TechRepublic

  • Format target partition

    Reinstall Vista to a Non-boot Partition

    Format a non-boot partition. I chose the Vista Ultimate Apps partition, disk 0 partition 3 to reinstall Vista. That is the perfect partition to choose because the apps would have to be reinstalled anyway and the partition is large enough. The format is destructive so you need to choose a partition that you have already backed up and can temporarily use. Reinstall Vista.

    Images by Alan Norton for TechRepublic

  • OOBE

    The Windows Vista Out Of Box Experience Screen

    Just before the Vista installation completes, this screen appears called the Out Of Box Experience (OOBE) screen. Press [CTRL][SHIFT][F3]. The computer will reboot and you should end up at the Vista desktop.

    Images by Alan Norton for TechRepublic

  • System Preparation Tool 3.14

    The System Preparation Tool 3.14 Window

    You should see the System Preparation Tool 3.14 window open on the desktop. Do not close this window.

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  • SP1 successfully installed

    SP1 Successfully Installed

    Install SP1. When complete, you should see this screen.

    Images by Alan Norton for TechRepublic

  • SP2 successfully installed

    SP2 Successfully Installed

    Install SP2. When complete, you should see this screen.

    Images by Alan Norton for TechRepublic

  • Insufficient disk space to install service pack

    Insufficient Disk Space to Install Service Pack

    When installing SP1 or SP2 you might see a Setup Requirements window if you do not have enough disk space. Select the Open Disk Cleanup option.

    Images by Alan Norton for TechRepublic

  • Choose drive to clean up

    Choose Drive to Clean Up

    Select the drive to clean up. This should always be the default value, C: drive.

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  • Select only hibernation file cleaner

    Select Only Hibernation File Cleaner Option

    Check the Hibernation File Cleaner option and uncheck all other options. Click the OK button when done. This will free up 3.99GB and it should be enough to allow the service pack install to continue.

    Images by Alan Norton for TechRepublic

  • Select retry

    Select Retry

    Click retry. The service pack install will continue if you have freed up enough disk space to continue.

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  • Run CompCln

    Perform CompCln (optional)

    Run the compcln utility as an administrator. This will remove the RTM and SP1 files needed to rollback SP1 and SP2 making them both permanent. This step is optional for the x86 version but recommended. It is required for the x64 version if you want the install files to fit on one DVD. CompCln will free up over one GB of disk space for the x86 version of Vista and two GBs for the x64 version of Vista.

    Images by Alan Norton for TechRepublic

  • System Preparation Tool 3.14 shutdown

    Sysprep and Shutdown

    If you use the recommended method, select OOBE/Generalize/Shutdown in the System Preparation Tool 3.14 window. Click the OK button to perform the Sysprep and shut down the system. Do NOT boot back into the new Vista install.

    Images by Alan Norton for TechRepublic

  • Create temporary folders

    Create Temp Folders

    Create the following temp folders:

    \Temp VIC \Temp VIC\Vista x86 SP2 or \Temp VIC\Vista x64 SP2 \Temp VIC\ISO

    Images by Alan Norton for TechRepublic

  • Copy Vista install files

    Copy Vista Install Files

    Highlight the folders and files of the Vista RTM DVD and copy them to the clipboard.

    Images by Alan Norton for TechRepublic

  • Paste Vista install files

    Paste Vista Install Files

    Navigate to the \Temp VIC\Vista x86 SP2 or \Temp VIC\Vista x64 SP2 folder and paste the Vista install files.

    Images by Alan Norton for TechRepublic

  • Select and run PE Tools at command prompt as admin

    Open the Windows PE Tools Command Prompt window as administrator.

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  • PE Tools command prompt

    Windows PE Tools Command Prompt

    The Windows PE Tools Command Prompt window sets paths to the utilities included in WAIK including ImageX that is needed to capture the Windows image.

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  • Imagex enter command time remaining

    Enter ImageX Command

    Enter the command for imagex including the switches as detailed in the original article and press [Return].

    Images by Alan Norton for TechRepublic

  • Run OSCDImg

    Run OSCDImg to Make a Bootable ISO File

    Run the oscdimg utility to make a bootable ISO file.

    Images by Alan Norton for TechRepublic

  • Burn bootable ISO

    Burn ISO to DVD

    Use your favorite disc burning software to burn the ISO file to a DVD.

    Images by Alan Norton for TechRepublic

  • Reinstall Vista SP1 and SP2 to boot partition

    Reinstall Vista SP1 SP2

    Reinstall Vista onto the original partition – the boot partition in this example.

    Images by Alan Norton for TechRepublic

  • Verify installed updates

    Verify that SP1 and SP2 Have Been Installed

    Open the Installed Updates window. Verify that the KB updates in this screen shot appear in your list of installed updates.

    Images by Alan Norton for TechRepublic

  • Post testing and cleanup

    Post Testing and Cleanup

    Select and delete the \Temp VIC folder when finished and you are sure that Vista will install properly.

    Images by Alan Norton for TechRepublic

Install WAIK

Having a Windows Vista install DVD with the latest service packs can be very helpful - especially if you reinstall Windows more than a couple of times a year or if you have to deploy Windows Vista to multiple computers. Alan Norton shows how he creates one - just follow these steps.

You can get an in-depth description of these steps in the TechRepublic Microsoft Windows Blog or in the corresponding free TechRepublic Download.

Install the Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK)

Download and install a disk burning utility capable of burning ISO files if needed.

Download the WAIK ISO file and burn the WAIK ISO to a DVD. Run the startcd.exe program on the DVD and select Windows AIK Setup from the Welcome to Windows Automated Installation Kit window. The installation is large. Install to a non-system logical drive if possible.

Images by Alan Norton for TechRepublic

Related Topics:

Microsoft Enterprise Software Software Collaboration Mobility Cloud Hardware

About Alan Norton

Alan Norton began using PCs in 1981, when they were called microcomputers. He has worked at companies like Hughes Aircraft and CSC, where he developed client/server-based applications. Alan is currently semi-retired and starting a new career as a wri...