MDT - New images

[X-13]

I need to make new images [We currently have all of ours based off of 32-bit Win7 Pro] and I have no clue where to start.

 

I'm about to start installing everything on a test laptop, but what do I do after that?

 

I thought I had it figured out, but I really don't...

[sted]

easiest way ive found.

 

Set up a vm and install updates office whatever software you want in your base image etc. At this point create a snapshot so you can in x months time add more updates without having to start from 0 again. Sysprep the image (mdt can in theory do this with a capture task but ive found it simpler to sysprep it myself and use use wds) pxe boot to wds and either upload to server or as i tend to do plug in a usb hdd mark it as offline in windows on the real pc then mount it to the vm then just create the image on your usb drive as its usually quicker than via network. The just add it as an os to mdt same as you would the std dvd (except pick wim file not dvd)

Edited October 13, 2014 by sted

[X-13]

easiest way ive found.

 

Set up a vm and install updates office whatever software you want in your base image etc. At this point create a snapshot so you can in x months time add more updates without having to start from 0 again. Sysprep the image (mdt can in theory do this with a capture task but ive found it simpler to sysprep it myself and use use wds) pxe boot to wds and either upload to server or as i tend to do plug in a usb hdd mark it as offline in windows on the real pc then mount it to the vm then just create the image on your usb drive as its usually quicker than via network. The just add it as an os to mdt same as you would the std dvd (except pick wim file not dvd)

 

You might as well be speaking Portuguese...

[sted]

which bit? the first part is easy, instead of using a real computer us hyperv/virtualbox and do your installs on a virtual pc then create a snapshot of it so you have a point you can go back to.

 

You then need to run the sysprep command with an approptiate xml file though you can probably skip the xml file tbh if its from a vm and just open up an admin command prompt go to c:\windows\system32\sysprep and run sysprep.exe (i always set to power off not restart incase i get interupted and it reboots before im ready.

 

once thats done you can pull the image into wds you can do this using wds or boot from a windows$version$ dvd iirc and run imagex commands but wds if you have it (and if you have mdt i assume you do is easier but you need to create a capture image again not hard import boot.wim then right click that and click create capture image). Then boot from network to your capture image and pretty much follow the wizard

[Arthur]

You may find the following links useful (even though they are for Windows 8.1).

 

• http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn744290.aspx
  
• www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/training-courses/windows-8-1-deployment-jump-start
  
• http://mdtguy.wordpress.com/2013/11/09/deploy-windows-8-1-with-mdt-2013-and-the-adk-8-1
  
• http://channel9.msdn.com/Events/TechEd/NorthAmerica/2014/WIN-B346
  

As already mentioned, you should create the image in a VM. It will save you a lot of time and you will have less issues.

[Davit2005]

You may find the following links useful (even though they are for Windows 8.1).

 

• Create a Windows 8.1 Reference Image
  
• www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/training-courses/windows-8-1-deployment-jump-start
  
• http://mdtguy.wordpress.com/2013/11/09/deploy-windows-8-1-with-mdt-2013-and-the-adk-8-1
  
• Building the Perfect Windows 8.1 Image | TechEd North America 2014 | Channel 9
  

As already mentioned, you should create the image in a VM. It will save you a lot of time and you will have less issues.

 

@Arthur very useful links

[SHimmer45]

this is how i have done it

 

Install your OS onto a "system" (virtual or physical, the 1st MDT images i made were on an actual computer)

update & install software you need along with any locally applied GPO / tweaks.

Make sure you are working in the Administrator account (important later for creating of the default profile which you can do manually or as part of your deployment task sequence)

once your happy with image locate the scripts folder on your MDT server run litetouch.wsf run this and select the "capture image task sequence" (if you havent you will need to create one)

after image has been captured i then mount it using imageX to properly trim the junk left from installers etc.

 

deployed image task squence creates my default profile and a few other odds and ends (local group memberships etc)

[free780]

A virtual. MDT TS to capture your os. Added wsus server in custom settings.INI and capture file location. Add any software. It needs to install silently. Done.