Here's what I'm talking about
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Capture Images of Hard Disk Partitions Using DISM
(Skip to step 3: Capture Partition Images Using DISM)
This tool (DISM) works similarly to other hard disk capturing/ imaging tools that are out there. You can capture a Windows partition as is (say on the reference machine) and lay it down on another hard disk in its exact state. This is a very similar process to what businesses and schools use to install Windows on hundreds of computers. The only problem is that it is a total clone of the Windows installation on the drive- so I would be very cautious about licensing. It does not seem you are using some sort of volume activation solution for activating Windows. If you're using the key that was preinstalled on your reference machine, the key is likely an OEM key or some other key on the retail channel. This means that it cannot be installed/ activated on any more than one machine. This *might* be an issue considering you'd be laying down a Windows image with the key from the reference machine installed onto different machines.
>>Before you touch any of your computers, go into Windows and retrieve the Windows product key that was preinstalled using a tool like 'Belarc Advisor' on each machine. Write down each key and keep it with the computer it came with in case Windows doesn't activate on all machines. You should be able to activate the preinstalled key on the machine it came from. You might want to backup one machine's harddisk and test it to get the hang of how to do it and to make sure everything works
>>The point of the reference machine is to get one computer to a state that you want all of the other machines to be at and then sort of clone that machine's hard disk to all of the other machines. Imaging is a very convenient process that businesses and schools, who have hundreds of computers, use to avoid having to manually do everything on each machine. If its within your organization's budget or goals, I would recommend looking into getting a more professional imaging solution or at the very least look into getting some sort of volume activation server. With a volume activation server, you'll be able to install the same product key on many computers and activate all of them. It would eliminate the need to be swapping product keys out after each install and would be more convenient.
>>I have developed my own imaging solution using this process for my own use, since I'm constantly using virtual machines. However, I have never done anything on this scale using this. I see no reason for it not to work, and I can continue to answer your questions throughout your adventure with it. Just know the little technicalities (like licensing) before you go and do anything on all the computers. I would recommend you test it on one machine just to make sure this is what you're after.
>>If you want to do some more reading on DISM search for things on the line of 'capture and deploy a windows image with DISM' (try and stick with tutorials and such that explain using DISM). You might also want to read up a little on WinPE and why it's going to be important for this project.