Windows 7 Enterprise Deployment Guide

This article demonstrates how to perform unattended installation of windows 7 and how to create an image. It explains everything you need deploy Windows 7 in enterprise environment.
Tools for successful Windows 7 deployment

- Windows AIK DVD (can be downloaded from Microsoft)
- Windows 7 DVD
- A computer to install Windows AIK
- USB flash drive
- bank CD
Start by installing Windows AIK on your computer. Windows AIK can be installed on Server 2003 or Windows Vista.
Windows 7 unattended installation

I. Create a Reference Answer file for unattended installation
Windows 7 installation answer file allows installation to be automatic while using custom settings.
1. Install Microsoft Windows AIK if you haven't done so.
2. Copy Install.wim from \Sources folder in Windows 7 DVD to local drive
3. Launch Windows System Image Manager, Start > All programs > Microsoft Windows AIK > Windows System Image Manager
4. In Windows SIM, click File and choose Select Windows Image
5. Select the wim image copied in step 2, choose YES to generate a catalog file
6. Click File, choose New Answer File.
Customize Windows 7 Image Settings

You can define custom configuration through Components menu in Windows SIM
1. On Windows SIM, click Components to expend the menu. Configure settings as needed.
2. Once settings are configured, click Tools > Validate Answer File.
3. Click File > Save Answer File. save it as autounattend.xml
4. Copy autounattend.xml to the root of the USB flash drive.
III. Create Reference Windows 7 image
1. Insert Windows 7 DVD in DVD drive and plug in the USB flash drive that contains autounattend.xml.
2. Once the PC boots from Windows 7 DVD, it will use the autounattend.xml to install Windows 7.
Create Windows 7 image

1. Configure Windows 7 OS with desired configuration
2. run sysprep /generalize /oobe /shutdown command from command line
/generalize - resets SID
/oobe - allows you to reseal windows and give you out of the box experience.
3. Now, use imaging software to take a snapshot of this image. For free solution, You can use ImageX to take
Create Bootable ImageX CD

This CD will allow you to boot from the CD to capture the Windows 7 image.
1. On computer where Windows AIK is installed, go to Start > All Programs > Windows AIK > Deployment tools Command Prompt
2. type "copype.cmd amdx86 c:\winpe"
3. type "copy "c:\program files\Windows AIK\Tools\x86\imagex.exe" c:\winpe\iso\", press enter
4. type "oscdimg -n -bc:\winpe_x86\etfsboot.com c:\winpe_x86\ISO c:\winpe\winpe.iso", press enter
5. Burn the winpe.iso onto the CD. Now we can use this CD boot and capture Windows 7 image.
Capture Windows 7 image

1. Boot the reference computer where you ran sysprep.exe
2. Boot into Windows PE with the CD created earlier.
3. In WinPE, open Command Prompt
4. Type "e:\imagex.exe /capture d: d:\Win7image.wim "Win7 Image" /compress fast /verify ", press enter
5. This will capture the image
Deploy Windows 7 image

1. Boot the reference computer where you ran sysprep.exe
2. Boot into Windows PE with the CD created earlier.
3. In WinPE, open Command Prompt
4. e:\imagex.exe /apply d:\myimage.wim 1 d:

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