Windows won't activate a digital license but will with a product key?

I have a question: When you make a disk clone to a new machine, do you generalize that installation by syspreping it, or does the software that you use effectively do this for you, and do you network any of these machines together?

hsehestedt said:

I have a question: When you make a disk clone to a new machine, do you generalize that installation by syspreping it, or does the software that you use effectively do this for you, and do you network any of these machines together?

I am guilty of being sloppy and lazy. I don't use Sysprep, so my cloned devices end up with the same Device name, Device ID, etc. I change the Device name for my internal sanity, but the Device IDs are identical.

This hasn't been a problem for me (so far) because the devices end up being used in different locations. I sometimes have two devices on the same network, but this is only when I prepare a new device for eventual deployment elsewhere. I have noticed some oddities when the devices are on the same network. For example, network browsing between the two machines is flaky. I've chalked this up to my suboptimal "deployment" strategy.

WorkPermit said:

I am guilty of being sloppy and lazy. I don't use Sysprep, so my cloned devices end up with the same Device name, Device ID, etc. I change the Device name for my internal sanity, but the Device IDs are identical.

This hasn't been a problem for me (so far) because the devices end up being used in different locations. I sometimes have two devices on the same network, but this is only when I prepare a new device for eventual deployment elsewhere. I have noticed some oddities when the devices are on the same network. For example, network browsing between the two machines is flaky. I've chalked this up to my suboptimal "deployment" strategy.

Just wanted to make sure that you were aware of the limitations. Clearly you are aware of these

I too like a nice, easy installation, but I go about it differently. Here what I do:

1) I install Windows using unattended setup so that the whole process is completely touch free.
2) After installation, I run a single command that installs ALL of my drivers for the system.
3) I run a batch file that I created that adjusts all my Windows settings to my personal preferences.

Fast and easy!

hsehestedt said:

Just wanted to make sure that you were aware of the limitations. Clearly you are aware of these

I too like a nice, easy installation, but I go about it differently. Here what I do:

1) I install Windows using unattended setup so that the whole process is completely touch free.
2) After installation, I run a single command that installs ALL of my drivers for the system.
3) I run a batch file that I created that adjusts all my Windows settings to my personal preferences.

Fast and easy!

I'm intrigued. How do you "copy" the installation of your apps from one machine to another with a command?

WorkPermit said:

I'm intrigued. How do you "copy" the installation of your apps from one machine to another with a command?

I don't. Most apps can be installed silently with a command so that can be included in a batch file. However, I often just install the apps manually. It's the one piece I have not fully automated yet .

hsehestedt said:

I don't. Most apps can be installed silently with a command so that can be included in a batch file. However, I often just install the apps manually. It's the one piece I have not fully automated yet .

Ah, I see. My situation is different. I have hundreds of apps and scores of devices, some of which require obscure configurations to work together. For example, when using Camlink 4K with Zoom, I need to set the device's USB transfer mode to "Isochronous". I do this by downloading a legacy program called "Elgato 4K Capture Utility software" and setting this variable (through an obscure process). I remember this process because I use Camlink 4K and Zoom on my laptops (which are not "clones"), so I need to do it every time I purchase a new device. I don't immediately remember other settings for software I don't use on my laptops. I also have legacy software which (miraculously) still works today but is unavailable for download or purchase.

There is an alternative - you could create a customized image with all your apps already preinstalled, Windows customized to your liking, etc.

Take a look at this excellent tutorial for details:

Create media for automated unattended install of Windows 10

hsehestedt said:

There is an alternative - you could create a customized image with all your apps already preinstalled, Windows customized to your liking, etc.

Take a look at this excellent tutorial for details:

Create media for automated unattended install of Windows 10

Thank you for the link. I follow how to use it if I have installers for apps. If i want to install whatever is on my system (and I don't have the installers) do I use my entire system drive (including directories such as program files and user appdata) as a "windows image"?

WorkPermit said:

Thank you for the link. I follow how to use it if I have installers for apps. If i want to install whatever is on my system (and I don't have the installers) do I use my entire system drive (including directories such as program files and user appdata) as a "windows image"?

So, here's the problem: In order to use that method, you would initially install Windows only up to the point where the OOBE (Out Of Box Experience) portion of setup begins and you then boot into "Audit" mode where you perform all your customization, install apps, etc.

Since you have a situation where you don't have the original installars for some programs, it precludes you from being able to do that.

The bottom line is that you will simply need to keep doing it the way you are now. Sorry