Creating sysprep'd images for reuse?

Discussions about using Windows guests in VirtualBox.
Post Reply
Agendum
Posts: 9
Joined: 7. Mar 2011, 03:33
Primary OS: MS Windows 2008
VBox Version: OSE other
Guest OSses: Windows 7

Creating sysprep'd images for reuse?

Post by Agendum »

For Hyper-V I have some VHDs which are pre-created hard disks containing a sysprep'd Windows. When creating a new VM I would just copy the VHD and then it would begin at the tail end of Windows.

Is it possible to create reusable images like that in VirtualBox? If so can somebody point me to a tutorial explain how, or breifly describe the process? For what its worth I have an ISO of Windows 7 RTM to start with.

Thanks!
Sasquatch
Volunteer
Posts: 17798
Joined: 17. Mar 2008, 13:41
Primary OS: Debian other
VBox Version: VirtualBox+Oracle ExtPack
Guest OSses: Windows XP, Windows 7, Linux
Location: /dev/random

Re: Creating sysprep'd images for reuse?

Post by Sasquatch »

In order to sysprep one, you have to install the OS first. Then you use the sysprep utility to create a state that you can use as such. Keep in mind that if you use the VDI that's been sysprepped, you can't just use it for every new VM. The UUID has to be unique in order to use it for a new VM on the same host, so the VDI has to be cloned first, instead of a regular copy.
Read the Forum Posting Guide before opening a topic.
VirtualBox FAQ: Check this before asking questions.
Online User Manual: A must read if you want to know what we're talking about.
Howto: Install Linux Guest Additions
Howto: Use Shared Folders on Linux Guest
See the Tutorials and FAQ section at the top of the Forum for more guides.
Try searching the forums first with Google and add the site filter for this forum.
E.g. install guest additions site:forums.virtualbox.org

Retired from this Forum since OSSO introduction.
Agendum
Posts: 9
Joined: 7. Mar 2011, 03:33
Primary OS: MS Windows 2008
VBox Version: OSE other
Guest OSses: Windows 7

Re: Creating sysprep'd images for reuse?

Post by Agendum »

Excellent, that is precisely what I needed to know. Thanks!
skinnywabbit
Posts: 2
Joined: 28. Jun 2011, 15:38
Primary OS: MS Windows XP
VBox Version: OSE other
Guest OSses: Windows Server 2003, 2008, Windows XP, Windows 7

Re: Creating sysprep'd images for reuse?

Post by skinnywabbit »

Try using nLite [www.nliteos.org] - very similar in many ways to using sysprep, a lot more flexible and easier to use IMHO - check it and see if it meets your needs.
skinnywabbit
skinnywabbit {at goes here} yahoo - dot - com
mpack
Site Moderator
Posts: 39134
Joined: 4. Sep 2008, 17:09
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: VirtualBox+Oracle ExtPack
Guest OSses: Mostly XP

Re: Creating sysprep'd images for reuse?

Post by mpack »

Um... AFAIK, nLite is nothing at all like sysprep. They serve entirely different functions. nLite basically creates custom install CDs, sysprep prepares a Windows hard disk image for cloning.
Post Reply