How to Create a Custom Windows Installation Disk

j0cker · # 1 (**permalink**)

How to Create a Custom Windows Installation Disk
Learn how to take your original XP installation disk, customize it with updates and tweaks that you want, and use it on your next reformat or fresh install.
By tEChniiQue, xtreme-source.com

Useful Links:
nLite (Download and install this application)
.Net Framework (Required to run nLite)
Daemon Tools
Windows XP Service Pack 2
Microsoft Security Update ISO images

Before you begin. Please download and install the following if you don't already have them; Daemon Tools, .Net Framework, nLite 1.2.1 (latest version as of 4 Dec. 06). Once completed, restart your computer, return to your desktop, open this guide and begin.

Step 1 > Place your Windows XP disk in a drive on your computer, close the Window that opens once the disk is inserted. For the purpose of this guide, I will use an XP disk only updated to Windows Service Pack 1.

Step 2 > Open nLite, Select Browse and then select the drive containing your Windows XP disk and select o.k.

Step 3 > You will be prompted to select a destination on your computer to save the files. I created a folder on my desktop, named it Windows, and saved the content there.

Step 4 > Once completed, you should see something like the image below. Select Next:

Step 5 > Click Next, then Next again and you should see the image below:

Step 6 > Just like the info on top of this window says, pick 1, all, or any combination of the options there. I will select Service Pack, Hotfixes and Update Packs, Components, Options, Tweaks, and Bootable ISO. Now Click Next:

Step 7 > If your Windows XP disk does not include Service Pack 2, you can download it and now add it to the compilation for your new ISO. Go here to download Windows XP Service Pack 2: Download Windows XP Service Pack 2: XP SP2 (Full package)

Step 8 > Once Service Pack 2 is downloaded (if needed) use the 'select button' to navigate to where it was saved on your computer. Once it is selected, nLite will extract the data form SP2 and include that with your new Windows installation. Click Next:

Step 9 > Hotfixes and Update Packs, these can be downloaded from microsoft by month in the form of ISO files. Go here: Security updates are available on ISO-9660 CD image files from the Microsoft Download Center Save the update ISO to your desktop. Once download, the ISO could be burned to a disc, but to save time I will use Daemon Tools to mount the image and "pretend" that it's already on a disc.

Step 10 > Start Daemon Tools and you will see an icon in your system try (bottom right by the time of your desktop). See image:

Step 11 > Right CLick the icon: Go > Virtual CD/DVD Rom > Device > Mount Image > Then navigate to where you downloaded the latest hotfix and update pack. In this guide, Novemeber 2006 is the most recent, as shown below:

Step 12 > This will emulate the ISO image actually being on a disc and placed in your computer. We just cut out the middle man, wasting money on a CD-R or worse. Once mounted, the files contained within the ISO image will now be accessible...just as if it were burned to a disc and then placed in your computer.

STEP 13 > In nLite, Select 'Insert'

Step 14 > Navigate through the disk selecting the following:
--- Windows > Windows XP >
- You will see several folders, each folder contains an update

Step 15 > For the first folder, here are the steps of adding that particular fix to the disk we are creating. Follow these steps fr each folder in this directory:
>>> Folder '920213' > x86 (32bit systems) or x64 (64bits) > English > then select the .exe file (only file visible) and hit open.
NOTE: REMEMBER TO REPEAT THIS FOR EACH FOLDER WITHIN THE WINDOW DIRECTORY OF THE HOTFIX DISK YOU'VE DOWNLOADED

Step 16 > For this particular guide; using the November 2006 hotfixes, there are 6 updates altogether. Once completed, your nLite window should look something like the image below, reflecting how many updates were released in that month, or better yet, how many you properly selected to include in this creation.

Step 17 > Click Next and then OK when prompted.

Step 18 > Components. Time to pick what you want to remove from your Windows XP installation disk. Here is an example of how to use this:

Select 'Applications' or whatever category(ies) you wish and place a check mark next to what you don't want installed in your new compilation. Once done, click next.

NOTE: Amongst others, languages is another area where a bit of space can be saved.

Step 19 > Options. This is another area where what is selected and not selected is based on your personal preference. There are two tabs to go through, General and Patches. Once done, click next.

Step 20 > Tweaks. Another section where your options are based on your preference. Got through the possible tweaks and services. There are a lot of options available in this area, take your time. Make the setting changes you would like and click next.

Step 21 > You will now see the following window:

You are done. Select YES and the process will start creating all of the new ISO, with all service pack, hotfixes, tweaks, etc...you've selected. You may have to click o.k. a few times in the process. A window will give you the size comparing of your old image and the one you are about to create.

Once you have a completed ISO image, use your favorite burning software to create a bootable disc.

Congratulations...you have created your own XP disk easing the process for future installations.

Source:xtreme-source

Shadab · # 2 (**permalink**)

Nice.

I used a similar process to integrate a basic Windows XP Professional edition with the Service Pack 2.
Saves time as earlier I had to install XP and SP2 separately; but not now !

daredevil · # 3 (**permalink**)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadab

Nice.

I used a similar process to integrate a basic Windows XP Professional edition with the Service Pack 2.
Saves time as earlier I had to install XP and SP2 separately; but not now !

that means by just one cd you were able to overwrite SP2 over the basic windows XP??

Shadab · # 4 (**permalink**)

Quote:

Originally Posted by daredevil

that means by just one cd you were able to overwrite SP2 over the basic windows XP??

Yep.

Now whenever i install using that CD,
Windows XP along with SP2 gets installed.

ISRdesign · # 5 (**permalink**)

Thx for this man and for all
ENJOY

technoramen · # 6 (**permalink**)

thanks man
gotta love this forum