Windows 7 / Getting Started

Capturing Images

You can use Windows Deployment Services to deploy custom images you've created as well as the default images from the Windows distribution media. When you create your own boot and install images, you can import them as discussed in the section "Importing Images" earlier in the tutorial. You also can capture images.

First, you need a capture boot image. You can create a capture boot image by completing the following steps:

  1. In the Windows Deployment Services console, expand the Servers node and select the server you want to work with. Next, click the server's Boot Images folder to select it and display available boot images.
  2. Right-click the boot image to use as the capture boot image, and then click Create Capture Boot Image.
  3. On the Capture Image Metadata page, enter a name and description for the capture boot image, and then specify the location and file name of the image to create, such as C:\Images\Win_capture.wim.
  4. Click Finish.

To capture an image, you must:

  1. Use Windows Deployment Services to install an existing image on a computer, as described in "Installing Windows from an Image."
  2. Customize the image.
  3. At the command prompt, enter cd %systemroot%\system32\sysprep, and then enter sysprep /oobe /generalize /reboot.
  4. When the computer starts and the boot loader prompts you, press F12 to download and start the Windows Deployment Services client.
  5. In Windows Boot Manager, select the capture boot image.
  6. When the Windows Deployment Services Image Capture Wizard starts, click Next.
  7. On the Image Capture Source page, select the volume or volumes to capture in the Volume To Capture list, and then provide a name and description for the image. Click Next to continue.
  8. On the Image Capture Destination page, click Browse, and then choose the location where you want to store the captured image. In the File Name text box, type a name for the image using the .wim file name extension. Click Save.
  9. Click Upload Image To WDS Server. Type the name of the server, and then click Connect. If you are prompted for credentials, provide a user name and password for an account that can access the server.
  10. In the Image Group list, choose the image group in which to store the image, and then click Finish.
[Previous] [Contents] [Next]

In this tutorial:

  1. Deploying Windows 7
  2. Working with Windows PE
  3. Understanding Windows pe
  4. Configuring Windows PE
  5. Preparing a Build environment
  6. Creating a Build: the essentials
  7. Mounting a Windows pe Image
  8. Customizing a Windows PE Image
  9. Capturing and Optimizing a Build
  10. Creating a Bootable ISO Image and Bootable Media
  11. Creating a Bootable USB Flash Drive
  12. Booting to an Image from a hard Disk
  13. Adding Windows pe Images to Windows Deployment Services
  14. Working with Windows RE
  15. Creating a Customized Windows RE Image
  16. Creating Windows re recovery Media
  17. Adding Windows RE Images to Windows Deployment Services
  18. Deploying Windows with a Customized Windows RE
  19. Creating Windows Images for Deployment
  20. Understanding Windows Imaging
  21. Creating a Windows Install Image
  22. Configuring and Using Windows Deployment Services
  23. Setting Up Windows Deployment Services
  24. Importing Images
  25. Installing Windows from an Image
  26. Capturing Images
  27. Managing access and prestaging Computers
  28. Modifying Image File Security
  29. Customizing Windows Images