Since Windows 7 finally reached RTM, I have been looking at what ways to make it easy to install (deploy) it. I am still learning, but here are things I have come to learn:
- While running install from DVD, you can press Shift+F10 to get a command prompt while the installation is running. Good to check install log and other stuff if things are not working
- Store a Autounattend.xml file in a USB key and it will be used to set up the choices through the installation. To generate this file, it is best to use Windows AIK that have a GUI (Windows System Image Manager)
- You can merge both x86 and x64 versions on 1 DVD easily with Windows AIK. Instructions here. You can also just search for AIO and windows 7
- Move the DVD over to a USB key and install from it instead (quicker, and easy to modify). Tutorial here
- When running a custom installation (in opposite to a upgrade installation), your old windows installation will be moved to a directory called windows.old. You will be able to transfer documents and settings from your old useraccounts with User Windows User State Migration Tool (USMT) that follows Windows AIK. A GUI Application for this can be found here. Instruction on how to run commandline here
- Native VHD; You can boot Windows 7 from a virtual hard drive file, since the new bootmanager supports it. Tutorial here.
hawkin 