Image Windows 10 laptops with DISM (or other free tool)

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/...ep.html?filter[2]=Installation and Setup

xy677 said:

Thanks for that!

I was just thinking, can I use the "Back up and Restore" in Windows 10 to create a System Image to an external HDD that I can use to deploy to the other laptops?

The tutorial Kyhi mentioned is using Macrium Reflect to capture and deploy the image. Two weeks ago I explained why Macrium in another reply in that tutorial thread, here's an extract of that post:

Kari said:

When install image has been prepared and sysprepped, capture the image and deploy it. In this tutorial I use somewhat unorthodox deployment method, capturing the image as a Macrium system image then deploying it by using Macrium image restore function. Reason this tutorial tells about the Macrium method is that I tried to keep this somewhat complicated process as simple as possible to suit needs of private users.

For more professional approach, to capture and deploy the image on corporate / organisational networks you can and should of course use more professional tools and methods, like for instance capturing image with DISM and deploying with Microsoft Deployment Toolkit.

Last week another member posted quite similar question as yours in which Macrium as deployment method was further discussed:

Kari said:

First something important: forget Macrium! That being said I can almost feel it how some senior geeks are now thinking "What on Earth is he talking about? Forget Macrium?"

Let me explain: I am a huge Macrium fan and wholeheartedly recommend their products, using them myself (Reflect, viBoot, CMC). In the tutorial you are referring to I explain how to use Macrium Reflect to capture and deploy Windows image. However, you have to remember the tutorial is written to private users with one or at most a few machines to deploy an image using Macrium Reflect Free. Using the free and even commercial Home edition on corporate network is not allowed.

Cost of Macrium Reflect Technician license is at the moment €413 but using this license deployment would be quite slow as the license can be used (according to EULA) on unlimited workstations but on one machine at a time.

To speed deployment up using Macrium you would need Workstation licenses which cost at the moment €548 for 10 workstations, €2,430 for 50 workstations or €4,556 for 100.

Read the whole thread, it's relatively short and might give you some ideas: Customised Windows 10 deployment on multiple desktops and laptops.

Kari

xy677 said:

Thanks for the terrific replies. I watched all the Youtube videos posted by Kari and they are fantastic!

Thanks :)

xy677 said:

1) Will this captured/applied image keep the Windows Activation across all the laptops that have the same hardware?

Windows image made and deployed as per these instructions is not activated and will not be activated when deployed if the machine in question has no digital license for that specific edition.

Licensing is always per machine image will be deployed to. For private users, if the machine has had the same Windows edition previously activated, the new installation / deployment will also be activated. Users should in these case select I don't have a product key option when key is asked in OOBE, digital license based on machine's hardware signature will be automatically applied when installation / deployment is done.

In corporation / organisation environment other activation methods like volume activation can and may be used.

xy677 said:

2) Will a new unique SID be created for each machine that has the image applied? (these laptops will be joined to the domain)

Yes. Each machine the image will be deployed to gets a unique SID (GUID). It will be generated when machine / Windows setup enters OOBE phase.

Kari

xy677 said:

So is it possible for me to use DISM and keep the Windows Activation? These laptops come preactivated and don't have any product keys on them anywhere so what are my options here?

I am not sure what you mean with "preactivation"?

Using pre-installed Windows 10, the digital license will be granted first when OOBE has been done and initial user boots to desktop and Windows can contact activation servers. If the digital license exists, Windows 10 will be automatically activated regardless of installation and deployment method as long as installed / deployed edition is the same than existing digital license.

xy677 said:

Also, is it possible to be prompted to enter a machine name after the machine is imaged using DISM?

OOBE will generate computer name, it needs to be manually changed when installed / deployed.

Kari