Designing Image-based Installations with Sysprep

Updated: March 28, 2003

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Use the System Preparation tool (Sysprep), included with the Microsoft® Windows® operating system, to perform image-based installations when you want to install identical operating systems and software configurations on multiple computers as quickly as possible. By carefully planning and designing your image-based installation, you can accommodate hardware and software differences among computers, minimize end-user interaction during installation, and reduce the number of images you have to manage.

In This Chapter

Overview of Image-based Installations

Identifying Inventory Requirements for Image-based Installations

Defining Disk Images

Designing the Image Delivery Process

Designing Preinstallation Tasks for Image-based Installations

Designing Automated Setup Tasks

Creating Disk Images

Creating Startup Media for a Destination Computer

Deploying Disk Images

Additional Resources for Designing Image-based Installations with Sysprep

Related Information

For more information about planning Sysprep installations, see "Choosing an Automated Installation Method" in this book.
For more information about unattended installations, see "Designing Unattended Installations" in this book.