How to Create a Custom Windows 10 Image For Deployment | How to Make a Custom Windows 10 ISO

Summary

In this Virtual Techbox tutorial, viewers learn to create a custom Windows 10 ISO, a bootable disk image for any Windows OS. The process includes running sysprep to reset the system, deleting user accounts except the local administrator, performing disk cleanup, and capturing a system image with DISM. The script guides through renaming drives, installing software, updating patches, and using the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit to create the final ISO. The video concludes with a demonstration of installing the custom ISO on a virtual machine, showcasing preinstalled software and users.

Takeaways

• 🖥️ The video demonstrates how to create a custom Windows 10 ISO, which can be applied to various Windows operating systems.
• 🔧 The process starts with running sysprep on a Windows 10 system to generalize the setup and prepare it for imaging.
• 👤 It's essential to delete all user accounts except the local administrator account to ensure a clean slate for the ISO.
• 🧹 Disk Cleanup is performed to remove unwanted files and optimize the system for imaging.
• 🛠️ Sysprep is used again to shut down the system, preparing it for the creation of the install.wim file.
• 📂 The install.wim file is captured using DISM commands, which includes the complete Windows drive and a temporary scratch folder.
• 🔄 The user is guided to create a new folder for the ISO files and to replace the existing install.wim file with the newly created one.
• 🔧 The Windows 10 Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) is required for creating the ISO, and the video provides steps to download and install it.
• 💾 The final ISO is created using the Deployment and Imaging Tools, with specific commands provided in the video.
• 🌐 The video concludes with a demonstration of the ISO file being used to install Windows 10 on a virtual machine, showcasing preinstalled software and users.
• 📢 The presenter encourages viewers to share the video, like it, and subscribe to the channel for more informative content.

Q & A

What is the purpose of creating a custom Windows 10 ISO?

The purpose of creating a custom Windows 10 ISO is to create a bootable image that includes specific settings, software, and user accounts, which can be used to deploy a consistent and personalized Windows 10 system on other machines.

Which Windows operating systems can be used to create a bootable ISO using the method described in the script?

The method can be used to create a bootable ISO for various Windows operating systems, including Windows Server 2019, Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 2016.

What is the first step in creating a custom Windows 10 ISO as per the video?

The first step is to run sysprep to generalize the Windows 10 system, which involves logging in as a local user, opening the command prompt, and executing sysprep with the necessary flags to reboot into the default local administrator account.

Why is it necessary to delete all user accounts except the local administrator account during the ISO creation process?

Deleting all user accounts except the local administrator account ensures that the resulting ISO is clean and does not contain any user-specific data or settings, which is important for creating a generic, reusable bootable image.

What is the role of disk cleanup in the ISO creation process?

Disk cleanup is used to remove unwanted files and free up space on the system drive. This step helps in creating a leaner and more efficient ISO by removing unnecessary files that are not needed in the bootable image.

What does the 'Enter System Out of Box Experience' option do in sysprep?

The 'Enter System Out of Box Experience' option in sysprep allows the system to go through the initial setup process, such as selecting language, keyboard layout, and network settings, each time the system is booted from the ISO.

How is the install.wim file created in the process of making a custom Windows 10 ISO?

The install.wim file is created by running the DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) tool with the appropriate commands to capture the system drive's image and store it in the .wim format.

What is the significance of the 'scratch' folder created during the ISO creation process?

The 'scratch' folder serves as a temporary working directory for the DISM tool during the image capture process. It is used to store temporary files and is deleted after the process is completed.

Why is the Windows 10 ADK (Assessment and Deployment Kit) required to create a custom ISO?

The Windows 10 ADK is required because it provides the necessary tools, such as the Deployment and Imaging Tool, which is used to create and customize the ISO file by adding the install.wim image and other required files.

How can you verify that the custom ISO has been created successfully and includes the preinstalled software and users?

You can verify the successful creation of the custom ISO by booting a virtual machine or a physical machine using the ISO and checking for the presence of preinstalled software and pre-created user accounts.

Outlines

00:00

💻 Introduction to Creating a Custom Windows 10 ISO

The video begins with a welcome message and introduces the topic of creating a custom bootable ISO for Windows 10. The narrator explains that the method applies to various Windows versions (Windows Server 2019, Windows 8, etc.). The process starts by using Sysprep on a Lenovo laptop running Windows 10. After logging in as the local administrator, the narrator proceeds to delete user accounts, run Disk Cleanup, and select specific system files for deletion. The process involves using Sysprep's 'Out of Box Experience' and generalizing the system before shutting it down.

05:04

🌐 Reboot and Setup of the Windows System

After Sysprep shuts down the system, the narrator powers it back on, selects region, keyboard layout, and WiFi settings, and creates a new user account with a password. They log in with the newly created account and walk through checking the installed software and updates. The narrator demonstrates renaming drives and creating a temporary 'scratch' folder on the D drive, which will be used later during the ISO creation process.

10:05

🔧 Creating the install.wim File

The narrator describes rebooting the system using a bootable USB drive. Upon booting from the USB, the narrator opens the command prompt and uses Diskpart to list drives, identifying the Windows drive and Data drive letters. They run a command using DISM to capture the image of the Windows drive and save it as an install.wim file in the 'scratch' folder. This file will be used for creating the ISO image later in the process.

15:08

📂 Copying and Preparing ISO Files

After capturing the install.wim file, the narrator exits the bootable USB environment and reboots the system. They navigate to the D drive to locate the install.wim file and temporarily move it. The narrator mounts a Windows 10 ISO and copies its content into a 'my_files' folder. The install.wim file is then pasted into the 'sources' folder of the ISO content, replacing the existing file. They proceed to download and install the Windows 10 Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) to prepare for the final ISO creation.

20:11

💾 Finalizing and Testing the Custom ISO

Using the ADK's deployment and imaging tool, the narrator begins creating the custom Windows 10 ISO. They provide the necessary command to generate the final ISO, which includes preinstalled software and user accounts from the original system. After the ISO is created, the narrator demonstrates its functionality by installing it on a virtual machine via VMware. The installation completes successfully, and the narrator confirms that all preinstalled software and user accounts have transferred correctly.

25:13

📢 Conclusion and Sharing the Knowledge

The video concludes with the narrator summarizing the entire process of creating a bootable ISO from a Windows system. They emphasize that the procedure works for various Windows versions. Viewers are encouraged to share the video with friends, subscribe to the channel, and await future videos. The narrator signs off with a thank you message.

Keywords

💡Sysprep

Sysprep is a Microsoft tool used to prepare a Windows installation for imaging or deployment by generalizing the system and removing user-specific data. In the video, Sysprep is run to prepare the Windows 10 installation for creating a custom bootable ISO. The user initiates Sysprep to generalize the system before capturing the install image.

💡Windows 10 ISO

An ISO file is a complete disk image of a file system. In this video, the main goal is to create a bootable Windows 10 ISO, which allows for reinstalling or deploying Windows. The video demonstrates step-by-step how to create a custom Windows 10 ISO from a running system, including capturing the system image and adding necessary files.

💡Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup is a Windows utility that helps users free up space on their hard drives by deleting unnecessary files. In the video, the user performs a Disk Cleanup before capturing the system image, ensuring that unwanted files like log files and old Windows updates are removed to create a clean and efficient ISO.

💡DISM

DISM (Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool) is a command-line tool for servicing Windows images. In the video, DISM is used to capture the system image (install.wim) that will be included in the custom ISO file. This is a critical step in creating a bootable image that can be used for system deployment.

💡install.wim

The install.wim file is a Windows image file that contains the installation data for Windows operating systems. In the video, the user creates an install.wim file from the current Windows system, which will later be added to the ISO file. This file holds all necessary information for reinstalling Windows on a new machine or VM.

💡Bootable Pendrive

A bootable pendrive is a USB drive that contains the necessary files to boot and install an operating system. In the video, the user creates a bootable Windows 10 pendrive that is used to start the system and perform further tasks, such as capturing the install.wim file.

💡Virtual Machine

A Virtual Machine (VM) is a software-based emulation of a physical computer. In the video, the user tests the custom Windows 10 ISO by creating a virtual machine using VMware. The ISO is mounted on the VM, and the user demonstrates the installation process on this virtual machine to verify that the custom ISO works correctly.

💡Deployment Toolkit

The Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) is a set of tools for customizing, deploying, and testing Windows operating systems. In the video, the user downloads and installs the ADK to gain access to deployment tools, which are necessary for creating the custom ISO file. The deployment tools help in building and managing Windows images.

💡Command Prompt

The Command Prompt is a command-line interpreter in Windows that allows users to execute commands. Throughout the video, the user frequently utilizes the Command Prompt to run various commands, such as Sysprep, DISM, and others, to create the custom ISO. It plays a central role in executing the steps needed to capture the system image.

💡Generalize

In the context of Sysprep, generalizing refers to removing system-specific data, such as unique security identifiers (SIDs) and user profiles, from a Windows installation. In the video, the generalize option is checked to prepare the system for deployment, ensuring the captured image is free from unique identifiers that could cause issues when deployed on different hardware.

Highlights

Introduction to creating custom bootable ISO for Windows systems, including Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows Server.

Step-by-step guide on using Sysprep to audit and reboot the system into the default local administrator account.

Deleting all user accounts except the local administrator to prepare the system for ISO creation.

Using Disk Cleanup to remove unnecessary files, including older versions of Windows, to free up space.

Sysprep is used to generalize the system and shut down before creating the bootable ISO.

After rebooting, the system is set up for personal use, and new users and passwords are configured.

Creating a scratch folder on the D drive for temporary use during the install.wim file creation process.

Using DISM command to capture the Windows drive and save the install.wim file in the scratch directory.

Mounting the Windows 10 ISO and replacing the original install.wim file with the newly created one.

Downloading and installing the Windows 10 Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) to proceed with ISO creation.

Running the Deployment and Imaging Tool to finalize the Windows 10 ISO creation.

Successfully generating the custom Windows 10 ISO, which can be used to install on virtual machines or other systems.

Demonstration of installing the custom ISO on a VMware Workstation virtual machine, including preinstalled software and users.

Verifying that the ISO-created virtual machine contains all preinstalled software and user accounts from the original system.

Final notes: The same method can be applied to create bootable ISOs for other Windows systems like Windows 8, Windows Server 2016, and 2019.

Transcripts

Hello Friends, Welcome to Virtual Techbox youtube channel

In today's video, I will show you how to create the custom windows 10 ISO

or you can say

how to create the bootable ISO of the Windows 10 running system

you can use this method

for creating the bootable iso of any windows running system

whether it is windows server 2019, windows 10, windows 8, or windows 2016

let's start

this is my Lenovo laptop having windows 10 installed on it

I will go to run

and I will type cmd, enter

this is the user, local user through which I have logged in to my windows 10 system

the first step we have to run the sysprep for that I will go to run

I will type here the %windir%

backslash

system32

backslash

sysprep

backslash sysprep.exe

space forward-slash

audit space

forward-slash reboot

and

once I hit the ok

it will reboot my system and it will take me to the

default local administrator account

I will press ok here

sysprep is working

it is now restarting my windows 10 system

sysprep has brought us to the default local administrator account

I will provide the password for administrator

you can see here sysprep window is already open

at this step we have to delete all the user accounts except local administrator account

for that,I will go to start

and I will search the control panel

small icon

I will go to user accounts

manage other accounts

this is my user account, I will select this

and will select the delete files

delete account

user accounts have been deleted from my system and only local administrator account is present

I will close this

now we have to run the disk cleanup

for that, I will go to run

and I will type here cleanmgr

and I will press the ok

I will select the C drive, ok

and here you can select all unwanted files which you want to delete

log files, downloaded program files

and here you can delete the

older version of windows also if it is available in your system

I will select all the unwanted files which I want to delete

ok

I will confirm to delete files

disk cleanup is working

it will now delete all the unwanted files from my system, from my C drive

whichever I had selected

disk cleanup has completed

now on the sysprep windows

in the first drop down I will select the Enter System Out of Box Experience

and I will tick the generalize

and here I will drop down and select the shutdown

I will press the ok

now sysprep will be executed and it will shut down my system

I will power on my system

I will select my region

I will select my keyboard layout

accept

I will select my wifi network

I will enter the password for the wifi

connect

next

setup for personal use

next

offline account

limited experience

I will provide username here

next

I will set the password for my username

next

I will confirm the password here

next

I will type the hint here

for my password, next

skip for now

yes

accept

we have now successfully logged in to our account

which we have recently created

at this stage

you can create all the users whichever you want to

whichever you want in your system

just do the login-logout once in your user

install all the required software in the system whichever you want

update your windows to the latest patches

I will go to run, I will type here cmd, ok

this is the username through which I have logged in to my windows 10 system

I will go to This PC

C drive

I will go to users

these are all the users which are created in my system

I will close this

I will again go to run, I will type here appwiz.cpl

these are all the software installed in my system

I will go to view installed updates

these are all the patches installed in my windows 10 system

I will close this

you can see here I have renamed my C drive as Windows

and I have renamed my D drive as Data

I will go to D drive

and I will make one new folder here

and I will give the name scratch

this would be used as

this would be used temporarily during the creation of install.wim file

I will close this

I will again go to This PC, you can see here I have also connected the

Windows 10 bootable Pendrive to the system

I will now reboot my system and I will boot it

through the bootable Pendrive

which I have connected to my system

I will restart my system

I will press F12

to interrupt the boot process

and to go to boot manager

I will go to my USB drive

and I will hit enter

I will press any key to boot from USB

at this stage, you have to press the

Shift+F10

to open the command prompt

I will maximize this

I will type the diskpart

now I will type the list vol

you can see here

the letter for the windows drive is F and the letter for the Data drive is E

I will type exit and press enter

now I will type the command

dism space slash capture image

slash imagefile colon

E colon

backslash install.wim

space

during this step install.wim file would be created

after this, I will give the space slash capturedir

colon F

colon

backslash which means complete windows drive would be captured

and install.wim file would be created

after this

I will give the space

forward-slash

scratch dir

colon

E colon backslash

scratch

space

slash name colon

I will give the iso name

this is not important here, it will be actually used in next step

while creating the iso

after this, I will give the space

slash

compress colon maximum

space

slash checkintegrity

space

verify

space bootable

this is the location of

install.wim file which would be created

and this is the windows directory

which would be captured

and this is the scratch folder location

which would be used temporarily

I will hit enter

and it will start saving the image

install.wim image is about to complete

operation has completed successfully and image has been saved.

I will close the command prompt

I will close this window also, Yes

which will cancel the installation process and it will boot my system normally

through the OS

system has booted and OS screen is there

I will provide password for my username

to login to the windows

I have successfully logged in to my windows

I will go to This PC, I will go to D drive

and this is the install.wim file

which was created in previous step

and it is the scratch folder which was temporarily used

I will close this

I will again go to This PC

I will go to D drive

and I will make the new folder here

with the name my_files

I will go back to This PC

I will go to E drive

and this is the windows 10 iso

I will right-click and mount it

I will go back to This PC

I will open the mounted iso

I will select all and I will copy the all content

I will go to This PC, I will go to D drive

I will go to my_files folder

and I will paste the content copied here

I will go to D drive

and I will cut the install.wim file

I will go to my_files

sources

and I will paste it here

one install.wim file is already present here

so it will ask me to replace

I will go ahead and confirm the replacement of file

I will open the browser, I will go to google.com

and I will search the windows 10 assessment and deployment kit

I will open this link

and I will download this adk setup

for the windows 10 version 2004

I will open the folder

I will

right-click on adk setup

and I will do the run as administrator

next

next, accept

I will untick all other options here

and I will keep the tick only on deployment tools

I will

Click on install and I will complete the installation

of the adk

adk setup has been installed

I will go to start and I will search here deployment and imaging tool

I will right-click, and run as administrator

to open it

here I will type the cd backslash

to go to C drive directly

here I will give this command

this is the my_files folder path

and this would be the windows 10 iso name

which is going to be created in this step

I will copy the complete command

I will paste here and I will hit the enter

windows 10 iso creation is in progress

all the commands used in this video I will provide in the description

once this step is completed, we will get the windows 10 iso

the final iso

windows 10 iso creation has completed here

I will go to This PC

I will go to D drive

and this is the windows 10 iso

which is created in this step

this is my main system

having the VMware workstation installed

and this is the windows 10 iso file which I have copied

created in the last step

and on the vmware workstation, I have created this virtual machine

with the 20 GB hard disk

I will go to edit-setting of the virtual machine

I will go to cd/dvd drive

and I will mount the iso which I had copied

ok

I will power on the virtual machine

it will start the operating system installation from the iso

next

install now

accept

next, custom

new

apply, ok

next

it has started the operating system installation

from the iso

which we had connected to the cd-dvd drive

it is restarting here to complete the installation

after the restart, it will boot directly to the operating system

here you can see our virtual machine has successfully booted to the operating system

which is having the preinstalled software and pre-created users

I will give the password for my username

I have successfully logged in to the

virtual machine

to which we have just installed the operating system

through iso

I will go to start

and I will go to run

I will enter on the run

I will type here appwiz.cpl, I will click ok

these are all the preinstalled software from my original system

which got installed in this virtual machine through the iso

I will close this

I will go to This PC

I will right-click on the iso and eject this

I will go to C drive

I will go to users

these are all the pre-created users

from my original system, I will close this

by this way you can create the bootable iso

from any Windows system

whether it windows 10, windows 8

windows server 2016 or windows server 2019

procedure would be the same

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