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How Windows System Image Manager Works

Windows System Image Manager (Windows SIM) is the tool used to create unattended Windows Setup answer files. The creation of an answer file is achieved by using information from a Windows image (.wim) file and a catalog (.clg) file. Component settings are added to a configuration pass in the answer file. You can also add packages to be installed during Windows Setup.

Distribution shares and their more portable counterparts, called "configuration sets," store files and folders that enable additional customizations of Windows installations.

In This Section

Windows SIM Terminology

Windows SIM Architecture

Windows System Image Manager User Interface

Understanding Windows Image Files and Catalog Files

Understanding Distribution Shares and Configuration Sets

Understanding Answer Files

Understanding Settings and Properties