Windows Deployment: Part 10: Create your gold master image & prep MDT & WDS for capture

 

The first step is to build your GOLD MASTER image. You should do this on a virtual machine (use Hyper-V or VMWare for this).  This will make sure you are not redeploying for example, Dell drivers and Dell specific software onto a HP client.

Tip: If you’re creating a “GOLD” master image for capture, then please make sure you use a virtual machine (not Virtual Box as it uses weird BIOS emulation!).

 

You could use your deployed OS in the previous section as the basis of your GOLD MASTER. However, the machine must NOT be joined to the domain.  Put it in workgroup mode!

Tip: If you prefer to build your gold master from a DVD or ISO of Windows 8, rather than the deployment task, you will likely need to change a script as per this documentation: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2797676

 

Select Task Sequences. Right click and select new task sequence.

 

 

In the wizard that appears (general settings), enter a task sequence id, and a descriptive name.  Remember, if you wish to capture both windows 7 and 8.1 GOLD MASTERS, you’ll need two separate task sequences.  Do yourself a favour and name these tasks as such.

 

 

Select Sysprep and Capture on the next screen

 

It is at this section that you’ll need to specify which OS you are capturing.  You will see a list of your .wim files (either previous GOLD MASTER images, or captured windows install disks).

 

 

 

If you’re not using KMS for activation (you’re not likely to), enter your product key here:

Enter your details here:

 

Enter your default admin password

 

Review and confirm

 

 

Select Finish.

 

 

Next. Right click on MDT Deployment Share and select properties.

 

 

Select the Rules tab.

 

Delete any existing text and copy this into the empty field:

 

[Settings]

Priority=Default

Properties=MyCustomProperty

[Default]

OSInstall=YES

_SMSTSORGNAME=

 

Select Apply, then OK.

 

 

Right click on MDT deployment Share once more. Select Update Deployment Share.

 

 

Select optimise the boot image updating process with compression – as shown.

 

Wait…

 

 

Once the wizard has completed, click finish.

 

 

 

Attach the bootable .wim to WDS

In this demo the .iso file is located here: E:\Deployment_Share\Boot

Under the default name of: LiteTouchPE_x64.wim

 

 

Open Windows Deployment Services

Drill down to servers\dc.demo.local\boot images

Right click on Boot images and select Add Boot Image…

 

 

 

Browse to our .wim file

 

 

Give it a meaningful name. ie Windows 8.1 Enterprise x64

 

 

 

Review and confirm

 

Wait…

 

Click Finish

 

Our deployable image will be listed:

 

 

Next, boot up your GOLD MASTER image.

Give the image the once over:

• Check for Windows updates
• Check that all your non-deployable apps are installed (i.e. anything you can’t deploy using group policy or a 3rd party tool should be preinstalled, but for flexibility, try to deploy your apps to reduce image maintenance).  Nnite provide a good app for deploying a bunch of apps. I recommend you take a look https://ninite.com/pro
• Defrag the drive and use a hdd cleaner (windows disk clean-up or equivalent)

Reboot your image to complete any updates etc.

 

In the next article I will show you how to capture your new, ready to go Windows image.