Creating a "Standard" Customized Windows Install

I have a fairly standard “install” set of Apps, Drivers, dev environment etc. setup that I have across my desktop, laptop and whatever else I happen to be using at the same time, but because of the nature of how deeply rooted some of the programs I use, my Windows installs tend to… break semi-randomly in one way or another. My Linux solution is that I just have a shell script that sets up a default Debian/Ubuntu system and pulls everything in one fell swoop but that’s not something that I can really do on Windows.

So that being said, is there any solution for creating such a “standard” windows install template, keeping it and also shadowcopy-like versions of my current setup in such a way that I can reimage multiple machines? (I realize I’d have to reactivate).

I’m talking about even potentially full drive images, but at that point having differential snapshots is important for obvious size issues. Also the more automated the better obviously.

I was playing around with maybe getting my Freenas box working again but I’d much rather have something that works locally.

Thanks for any ideas!

https://www.ntlite.com/

just slipstream an iso

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Full drive images could work, however you probably want to maintain different images for different chipsets.

You also can create an ISO that will auto install and have drivers, updates, and programs included. DISM is the windows tool. There are a couple of GUI front ends that may also include other features for customizing ISOs. I have personally used NTLite and also DISM.

Download the latest win10 ISO from MS, download and insert update(s) from MS update catalog, insert drivers, set up responses to during install questions, choose any optional components, set post install scripts or program to run, etc

https://www.ntlite.com/

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Also, look at Chocolatey.

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Thanks for the suggestions everyone! Really appreciate the help :slight_smile:

Hi.
I’m not sure if this is what you are looking for but once your computer is set up like you want it, boot up from windows installation media, open up command prompt and use DISM to make a WIM out of your current installation.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/capture-images-of-hard-disk-partitions-using-dism

After that you either apply the wim with DISM once you want it or (this part I am not yet 100% sure will work, because I have not testet it) you replace the install.esd in your Windows installation media (for example, a USB stick created with the Media Creation Tool) with your wim, just name it install.wim.

Only problem with replacing the installation media install.esd with your own is that it will copy your user profile as well, so you need to give another name in installation phase that you can delete afterwards.

Hope any of this is usefull to you.