Capturing a Reference Image - Deploying Windows 7

Deployment Share Rules

Right click on the Deployment Share and select Properties

 

Select the Rules tab and ensure that the Skip Capture rule is set to NO

If you have to change this rule then you need to update the deployment share and completely regenerate the boot images.

Once the boot images have been regenerated then you will need to replace your current boot images in Windows Deployment Services with the newly regenerate ones

Capture Task Sequence

The next step is to create a task sequence that will capture an image from your reference computer.

Right click on the task sequence node and select New Task Sequence.

1. Complete all the information to identify this task sequence.
2. Select Sysprep and Capture from the drop down menu.
3. Select the operating system that will be used (this will not effect the image being captured).
4. After accepting the defaults on the next screen complete all the relevant details on the OS settings screen.
5. Enter a password for the local administrator and click Next.
6. At the last screen check the summary and click Next to complete the task sequence.

Capturing The Image

Add image folder location to task sequence. Right click on the task sequence and select properties and then select the task sequence tab.

You now need to add a variable into the sequence with these settings

• Name: Set Image Folder
• Task Sequence Variable: ComputerBackupLocation
• Value: \\servername\deploymentshare$\captures

To add the variable select Add | General | Set Task Sequence Variable and use the details above to complete the fields.

Use the arrow buttons to move it to the top of the sequence.

Start image capture

When the new task sequence is ready log on to the client that you want the image from.

1. Connect to \\deploymentserver\deploymentshare$\Scripts
2. Run the following script: "LiteTouch.wsf"

The .wim image will now be created in the captures folder on in the deploymentshare.

A video showing the capture process can be found here