Any tips for reducing my image size before cloning?

[sparkeh]

I have got into the habit of always using a pre-sysprep image anyway.

 

Basically I have a pre-sysprep image and a post-sysprep image. If I need to update my image, I load up the pre, make the change, update the pre, sysprep and update the post. If that makes sense?!

 

I know that you can sysprep as many times as you want but I feel more comfortable starting fresh each time.

[Guest blacksheep]

Volume Licence versions of Xp don't need activation, and can be syspreped as often as you like.

 

thats what I do and keep images (ghost or Acronis trueimage) of each mainboard

 

Might be better ways, but never had time to look at finding the best

[EmperorPeng]

I'm just wondering if anyone has any routines they carry out pre sys prepping a machine? My images have crept up in size and I really need to clear them up a bit!

 

For example couldf i remove the windows updates files?

 

 

I normally clear out:

 

Windows Temp

Temporary Internet Files

User's temp folder

Windows Updates from C:\Windows ***NOTE: Do NOT delete the folder C:\windows\$hf_mig$ but you CAN delete any folder starting C:\windows\$NtUninstall***

 

(If you do the above, you cannot uninstall any applied updates!)

 

net stop wuauserv

Delete the contents of C:\windows\SoftwareDistribution

 

The above should save you anywhere between 2 and 6GB if that helps.

 

EDIT:

 

Just re-read and didn't realise the OP was from 2009! Also had a chuckle at those of you thinking that 12-28GB is big for an image!

 

Current image size with compression: 45GB

Edited March 4, 2013 by JPShields