Incorporating Third-Party Apps into Windows Setup Media

Overview

This guide walks through the process of incorporating third-party applications into a custom Windows setup media, focusing on Windows 10 and 11. The approach utilizes tools like VirtualBox and Rufus and parallels manufacturer techniques for creating restore discs.

Requirements

• VirtualBox: to set up a Windows environment.
• Rufus: to create a bootable USB drive.
• Windows PE Install: used for customization tasks within a pre-installation environment (recommended: Hiren's Boot CD).

Steps to Customize Windows Install

Preparation

1. Download Necessary Tools:
   • VirtualBox for creating virtual machines.
   • Rufus for creating a bootable USB.
   • Hiren's Boot CD for Windows PE environment.
2. Prepare Installation Media:
   • Download Windows ISO via Rufus, ensuring the same ISO is used throughout for consistency.

Setting Up Environment

1. Create a VM in VirtualBox:

   • Use the downloaded Windows ISO to set up a new VM.
   • Skip the unattended installation and set resources appropriately.

2. Initial Windows Setup:

   • Complete setup within the VM without creating a user account by rebooting into audit mode (Ctrl+Shift+F3).
   • Install desired third-party applications.

Creating the Image

1. SysPrep Configuration:

   • Use SysPrep to generalize the Windows installation.
   • Enter SysPrep out-of-box experience (OOBE) and shutdown mode.

2. Capture the Image:

   • Boot into Windows PE using VirtualBox and Hiren's Boot CD.
   • Use DISM command in the command prompt to capture the setup into a .wim file stored on a secondary virtual drive.

3. Prepare USB Install Drive:

   • Replace the existing install.wim on your USB drive with the newly created .wim.

Optimizing the Image

1. Convert .wim to .esd:
   • Use DISM with higher compression for converting .wim to .esd if the system resources allow.

Final Testing

1. Use the customized USB media to install Windows on a test machine or VM to ensure third-party applications install correctly as part of the Windows setup process.

Considerations

• Customization Details: Allow any modifications to Windows settings that apply to all users.
• Resource Requirements: Ensure sufficient system resources for conversion processes, especially for .wim to .esd.
• Space Consideration: Be mindful of space taken by additional applications to fit on desired media size (USB sticks usually range from 8GB upwards).

Additional Tips

• Continuously refine the install image by re-entering the setup process and updating software as necessary.
• Combine this process with other customization techniques such as debloating Windows for a more efficient installation experience.

By following these steps, you should be able to streamline the Windows installation process with third-party applications, saving subsequent setup time.