I'd like to create a CD/ISO of a windows installation that has all the software I normally use in a machine: Windows 7, Visual Studio, Office, etc.
I'd like to be able to create this once and then whenever I get a new machine I can just pop in the CD and have it install everything back to my normal starting configuration.
An example:
Let's say I have 50 desktop PCs that all need to have the same software: Windows 7, Visual Studio 2010 and Office 2010.
I don't want to install Windows 7, then update all patches /service packs and then install Office and Visual Studio 50 different times. That would get very time consuming. I'd rather do this once and then create a CD that would basically copy this one machine so I can pop this disk into the other 49 PC's and have it exactly the same.
What's the best (free) solutions for this sort of thing?
I believe the term I am referring to is called slipstreaming?
Best Answer
Sysprep and ImageX will allow you to capture a Windows 7 image with custom applications. East and straight forward. Here's a video tutorial as well.