Guide: Create A Customized Windows Installation DVD For More Responsive Windows

This thread is a follow-up from the thread: Windows 7 optimized SSD install 5.5gb install guide, by faiz23.

This guide aims to assist you to create a customized Windows 7 installation DVD. Once you have completed Windows installation using such DVD, all drivers and Windows Updates have already been installed. Thus, compared to original Windows DVD, you do not have to waste time installing drivers and Windows updates ever again.

This guide has been tested in Alienware M15x laptop, running 64-bit Windows 7. Any edition of Windows 7 is not a problem here.

Please note that there is nothing in this guide that will help you to activate Windows. The proper activation you should use is either based on original Windows 7 DVD you received from Alienware, or Retail Windows 7 DVD you purchased after buying your M15x.

Identify your needs and tailor your customized Windows 7 installation DVD based on your needs.

Sections

A. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
B. Prerequisite
C. Risk Factors
D. Capabilities And Limitation Of My Preset Along With Its Assumptions
E. Basic Guide
F. References


A. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. faiz23 applied the method to SSD. I am just using conventional hard drive, so this guide is useless to me.
Hard disk space is more abundant than SSD, so space saving is not a factor here. However, the customized Windows uses less resource to run, resulting in more responsive Windows. This point is very important, since hard disk is much slower than SSD. Using this customized DVD will not make your HDD becomes a SSD, but it will close down the performance gap.

2. Windows runs very fast in my SSD. For that, why do I want to use this guide?
It will save some space in SSD, since the size of SSD is very much smaller than HDD.

3. What are the advantages of this customized DVD, compared to original Windows 7 DVD?
It is unattended because the Windows installation will be fully automated after you specify the destination drive for Windows installation. All drivers and Windows updates are integrated, so you do not have to waste time installing them after Windows installation. Compared to original Windows 7 DVD, it does not have unnecessary programs that slow down your Windows, resulting in more responsive Windows. Thus, you can ensure that your gaming beast dedicates almost all of its performance to improve gaming loading speed, instead of some programs you will not use. Note that FPS will not be improved, but games will load faster.

4. Is there any limitation of this customized DVD?
The key of making the DVD size smaller is to remove any unnecessary components that you are mostly likely not going to use it. The main thing of using RT 7 Lite is that you identify your needs and purpose of using Windows 7. You should only remove any Windows components that you will never going to use in the future. If you are uncertain about certain components, just leave it and do not remove it via RT 7 Lite. Any component removed cannot be restored back, thus it requires clean remake of Windows 7 image.

5. I have not formatted my computer. In fact, I am using the very same installation as default factory configuration. Or, I am always use AlienRespawn to restore my system.
Sorry, this guide is not suitable for you.

6. Why should I bother with downloading the Windows Update files? Upon fresh installation, I will connect to internet and let Windows Updates update my Windows.
This method works if you do not require frequent Windows installation. Imagine the agony you have to endure if you reinstall Windows everyday and wait for Windows Updates to download updates. See the point? As for me, I will always download the updates through Microsoft Download Center, rather than using Windows Updates. That way, I would not have to use Windows Updates to download updates again, each time I perform format and a clean install of Windows. For that, the updates are downloaded once and can be
used for many times, and you do not have to download them ever again.

8. Oops, I mistakenly removed certain component using RT 7 Lite. Can I restore it back?
It requires a remake of the customized Windows 7 installation DVD.

9. Many of the features such as Media Centre, inbuilt games, Tablet PC components etc. can be turned off from the control panel.
The problem is that they are just disabled, not uninstalled. In other words, they are hidden somewhere in C:\Windows, consuming some hard disk space. Using RT 7 Lite to remove them, they are completely removed. There will not be any trace of them in C:\Windows, thus no hard disk space is occupied by them.

10. I cannot install Service Pack in my slimmed-down Windows 7. Help?
For sure, we cannot install Service Pack on a slimmed-down Windows. Since Service Pack will check whether any Windows component is removed before installation, if I remove just one component via RT 7 Lite, Service Pack cannot be installed. This is a problem for those who does not perform frequent fresh installation of Windows, but it is not a problem for me. Why? Service Packs are usually received every year or so. By then, I have no problem reinstalling Windows again, just to ensure everything run as quick as before. Besides that, I will download original untouched Windows 7 SP2 iso when it is released. I will again use RT 7 Lite to slim down Windows 7 SP2. So, the problem of not able to install Service Pack in slimmed Windows 7 is not a problem for me, as I would have made fresh images by then.

11. Can I install any Windows Updates (msu) in my slimmed-down Windows 7?
In a slimmed down Windows 7 SP1, you can install any Windows Update without any problem. It works just well for me. However, the main rule is that you should not remove Component Cache (winsxs) via RT 7 Lite. Removing Component Cache (winsxs) will cause you to be unable to install any subsequent Windows Updates and LDR Hotfixes, although any Windows Updates integrated via RT 7 Lite will continue to function just fine.

12. Can I update any driver after I have installed this customized Windows 7 in my laptop?
Yes, you can. Windows will automatically install the drivers newer than those integrated into the image.

13. How frequent should I create this customized Windows 7 installation DVD?
You can create the DVD as frequent as once per month, just after Patch Tuesday. If you create it too frequent, you may waste your time doing it as there may not be any new Windows Updates or new drivers to be slipstreamed. The lowest frequency I would recommend is once every 6 months. If you rarely create the DVD, it would be troublesome for you once you reinstall Windows. By then, you have to wait Windows Updates update your Windows, install newer drivers, all of this defeating the purpose of creating customized Windows 7 installation DVD. I will usually create such DVD once every 2 months.


B. Prerequisite

1. Original Alienware Windows 7 installation DVD, or original unmodified Windows 7 SP1 image from MSDN (recommended)
- It is preferable to use Windows 7 SP1 image, as you do not have to waste time integrating Service Pack 1. Still, the Alienware installation DVD works just fine.

2. 64 bit RT 7 Lite
- It is most recommended to use RT 7 Lite Release Candidate (Build 1.7.0, 64 bit), especially if you use Windows 7 SP1 image. The resultant customized Windows 7 image is more stable to be used.
- If you use Alienware Windows 7 installation DVD, you have to use RT 7 Lite Beta (Build 2.6.0, 64 bit) to slipstream Service Pack 1 into the Windows 7 RTM image, copied from the DVD.

3. Dell drivers and DriverMax
a. (This step can be omitted, but it can ensure the harvested drivers are clean and stable.) Format and reinstall Windows.
b. Reinstall all Dell drivers, along with manufacturers' drivers, like AMD, NVIDIA and Intel. You can refer to my list of updated drivers, excluding the drivers for video card.
c. if you are not using the touchpad at all, it is recommended not to install Synaptics Touchpad Driver. Your laptop and your touchpad work fine without it. The driver introduces 2 additional processes, as seen In Windows Task Manager.
d. Install DriverMax and use it to backup all drivers.
e. Make a copy of the harvested drivers.

4. Windows Updates
The direct links for all post-SP1 Windows updates (up to July 2011) are listed here. The list of Windows updates subsequently released is given here.
For Internet Explorer 9, use this link. Do not use the exe version as RT 7 Lite can only integrate msu file. Please rename IE9-win7.msu to IE9-Windows6.1-KB982861-x64.msu.

5. Virtualization software, like VirtualBox or VMware.

6. Some Pointers To Ponder
a. Carefully think about your needs. That way, you can use RT 7 Lite to remove components you do not need.
b. Start with conservative preset first, one that removes a few components. Install this customized image into your computer, and then install all games and software just as before. Test whether all of them work. If not, try to modify the preset to remove less components. If they do, it means that the preset works fine.

Once you are satisfied with this preset, try to use a more aggressive preset, that removes more components, and test it again in your computer. Keeps on doing it until some of your applications do not work anymore. Revert back to your previous preset and that is your sweet spot. In short, it is overclocking. You have to experiment with it, as each people will have their own distinctive needs. Keep on trying, and you will find your sweet spot.


C. Risk Factors

Risk Factor 0: Original Windows 7 installation DVD from Alienware or Original Untouched Windows 7 SP1 Image
- There should not be any problem using either of the images. Should there be any problem, it is most likely due to the DVD or the image being corrupted. Request Dell to provide you another DVD, or redownload the image. Then again, this method is not the point of this guide, and is way too conservative. You are not reaping the benefits of customized Windows DVD.

Risk Factor 1: Customized Windows 7 installation DVD slipstreamed with Windows Updates and drivers
- It is the same installation media, as in the method with Risk Factor 0, but Windows Updates and drivers are integrated. However, the advantage is that upon Windows installation, your Windows is fully up-to-date and you do not have to waste time reinstalling drivers. The sole risk of installation failure is because either Windows Updates are corrupted, or you are using unstable drivers. Redownload the Windows updates and try to use more stable drivers. Still, Windows is not being slimmed down, thus Windows cannot be tuned to be more responsive.

Risk Factor 2: Customized Windows 7 installation DVD created with faiz23's preset.
- Windows Updates and drivers are slipstreamed while faiz23's preset is used. The slimmed-down Windows should be stable to be used as faiz23 did not remove many components. The only risk is that some programs may not work if they need certain components removed by the preset. Still, the risk is fairly minimal.

Risk Factor 3: Customized Windows 7 installation DVD created with my preset.
- The difference to the method with Risk Factor 2 is that my preset removes more components which should not be necessary for proper functionality of Windows and game. Plus, it allows unattended Windows setup. Just insert the DVD or pen drive and once you set destination for installation, you are free to leave your laptop. About half an hour later, Windows is fully installed. The risk is that some programs may not work in this slimmed-down Windows. That is why you need to test and modify my preset, in order to suit your needs. It should be just fine nevertheless as it is tested in my laptop.

Risk Factor 4: Customized Windows 7 installation DVD with many components removed
- Here, much more components are removed compared to that of my presets. You may choose to remove Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player and other components as you are using alternative browsers like Firefox and Chrome. Here, you have to really sure of what you are doing. Excessive component removal may lead to endless dependency problems. It means that nearly all your software may need certain components removed, and thus fail to function. Still, it is really up to you to experiment.


D. Capabilities And Limitation Of My Preset Along With Its Assumptions

1. Assumptions
This preset is created with the assumption that printers and scanners will not be used with this laptop. Since M15x is a gaming laptop, I will try to remove components not related to gaming, multimedia and internet surfing.

Only English is used in Windows. If you require to use another language, please exclude the desired language from my preset.

2. Capabilities
Audio, Aero Theme, Ethernet, WiFi, Windows Update, System Restore, Windows Media Player, Windows Experience Index work fine.
Internet Explorer 9 is ready to be used upon Windows installation.


3. Limitations
There are no Autoplay, HomeGroup, Remote Access, Sharing, Windows Media Center.

There is no Windows Recovery Environment (such as Startup Repair). In the event of Windows being unable to boot up normally, you will need the original Windows installation DVD, not the customized Windows DVD, to launch Startup Repair to boot up Windows.

Printers and scanners cannot be used. To retain the functionality of these devices, please exclude printers and scanners drivers from my preset.


E. Basic Guide

1. For the purpose of this guide, create the following folders in C drive.
a. C:\s1 - contains Windows installation file.
b. C:\drivers - contains drivers harvested through DriverMax. Do not place any Dell drivers in their original form here. It must be drivers harvested through DriverMax.
c. C:\updates - contains Windows updates (msu), RT 7 Lite preset and Wallpaper. Registry files and batch files can be included if desired. Place my attached preset in this folder after charging the extension from .txt to .inf.

2. Install and run the RT 7 Lite software. Set priority as high.

3. Point it to the folder containing in c:\s1 and let it load. It will ask you to choose what version of windows you have (Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate). It will take about 10 minutes to load the image. Once it is loaded, click the settings button in the bottom right hand corner. Browse to my preset in C:\updates and click "Ok".

4. Click on the left hand side on "Tasks" and there, you will select "Custom" and "Select All". Ensure all checkboxes are selected.

5. Click on the "Integration" tab.
a. In the first tab: Updates, all Windows updates (msu) files to be integrated should be specified here. It should show all updates contained in C:\updates.
b. Next tab shows Drivers, where all drivers to be integrated should be listed here. It should show all drivers contained in C:\drivers. For Windows 7 SP1, select "Printer" in the lower box to be removed.
If you have loaded my preset before, you should probably see a list of drivers I integrated before. Select all listed drivers by pressing Ctrl+A and subsequently clicking "Remove". Then, click "Select Multiple drivers" button and select the folder: C:\drivers. highlight all drivers and right click them to select "install"

6. Click on the next option "Feature Removal" which is where you will decide what to keep and what to remove.
a. On the right hand side, you will see like 8-10 options are selected. This right box functions like "Turn Windows Features On or Off". Unchecking items means that it will not be installed during Windows installation, but it will not be removed.

b. Checking the items in the left box means that the components will be removed from Windows installation file. Modify the list as you wish.

7. Click on the "Tweaks" tab. Here, you can customize various setting for Control Panel, Desktop, Explorer, Security, Services, System, Visual Effects, Internet Explorer, Media Center. Once they are selected, you do not have to select the setting after Windows installation.

8. Click on the "Un-attended" tab.
a. In the first tab: General, check all 4 options in User Data: Skip product key, Skip Auto Activation, Accept EULA, Select this version on install) if you use the Alienware Windows installation DVD.

b. Input your desired name in Full name and Computer name. Example: My user name is Alvin. So, Full name=Alvin-PC; Computer name=Alvin-PC.

c. Click "Add more users". User Account 1 is your administrator account. Type in your name and if desired, your password. Type in names for other accounts if you like.

d. In the second tab: OOBE, select the following setting:
Network location=Home; Protect your computer=Recommended Settings; Hide EULA page

e. In the third tab: Regional, select the regional settings. If you performs the steps (8a-f) correctly, you do not have key in any name and password during Windows installation.


9. Click on the "Customization" tab. here, Remove the default wallpaper and add your desired wallpaper from C:\updates.

10. Once you have completed your selection process, hit apply and you will see the next screen showing "Build current image only" or "Build All". This is where you will choose "Build current image only" since it is faster, but it will only make a modified image for the version of windows you choose in the first option. Besides that, click "Export Setting" to export your preset. That way, you can use your preset next time, so that you do not have to redo all setting again. Set priority as "high" before pressing the 'Commit" button. This again will take like 45 minutes.

11. Once it is complete, click on the "ISO-bootable" tab and on the left drop down select "Create image" and "Make ISO". This will make a ISO image for you and you can save it to your system.

12. Test using VirtualBox to check the installation. If your customized Windows image can boot fine under VirtualBox and functions properly, then your image is stable to be used. If not, modify your preset and your image, until it boots fine in VirtualBox.

13. Once you know the image is good, then use "CDBurnerXP" or "Imgburn" to burn it into a DVD-RW. Or, you can use a bootable USB drive.

That is it. Job done. Reinstall Windows using your customized DVD. There should be only 1 error for “storflt”, as seen in Event Viewer. You just have to do a “sc delete storflt” (without quote in Command Prompt) and this error is gone forever.

Enjoy its slimness and responsiveness!


F. References

1. Components To Keep
2. Windows 7 Roadmap

My iso size is 1.74 GB and my installation size is 5.18 GB (without Paging File and Hibernate). I will also expand some sections here. Please post any comment here. Thank you for your feedback.

 

This post is reserved. Upon general demand, I will post further performance-based tweaks, less commonly seen in the Internet.

 

wow really nice work, gonna gave this a try next time i reformat. +rep

 

inap
Thanks for your support. Post your result (iso size and Windows installation size) here if you have reinstalled your own customized Windows.
_________
I provided a link back to my previous thread, showing the list of updated Intel drivers for M15x. The most interesting one is the driver for WiFi.

A gentle remainder here, just use faiz23's preset (available in his thread) first. Once you have tested the customized Windows created with faiz23's preset by running all software and games with no problem, then you can remove slightly more components. After trial and error, your preset should be closer to my preset.

Keep on trying, and you will have your own slimmed-down Windows 7, running smoothly for your pleasure.

 

+rep!
i'll be building mine soon

 

+rep
rt7lite is AWESOME

 

Can anyone direct me to the thread where all the materials needed for a reinstalled Alienware experience (i.e. wallpapers, logon screen background, etc.)?

 

TheHighlightGuy

Refer to HOW TO: Restore the Alienware 'Look and Feel' after a clean install of Windows 7.

 

Thanks!
I knew I had read it somewhere...

 

bump
Anyone used this with a preset they're willing to upload?

 

Yes, I tried it a while ago, custom Windows (with only slight modifications) and included drivers... but it didn't work. Well Windows installed, but the drivers weren't present.
Not sure what exactly went wrong.

 

I see, thanks for trying.
I'll be trying an install, including drivers, sometime this week when my SSD arrives in the mail.

 

Nice post, +rep when possible ^^

 

Did DriverMax manage to copy all the installed drivers successfully?

For sure, Bluetooth driver will not be installed. The reason is that Bluetooth requires both driver and software to function, and DriverMax can harvest only the drivers. For this, you will have to reinstall Bluetooth drivers and this should be the driver you have to install after Windows installation. If you do not use Bluetooth at all, there is no need to install Bluetooth driver.

For my customized image install, all drivers are properly installed. On rare cases, upon customized video installation, I did encounter that video driver and some Intel chipset drivers did not install. Anyhow, Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver, LAN driver, wireless driver, infrared driver should always be successfully installed.

@svl7
At the bare minimum, did you integrate Windows Updates (msu files)? Hopefully, upon customized video installation, all updates have been installed and you do not have to use Windows updates to install previously-released updates.

No offence intended, did you encounter any problem with my preset? Yes, my preset is a bit excessive in component removal, but it represents an upper limit over which you start to encounter major losses in Windows abilities.

Do you have any special need for your Windows, such as the need to use encryption software, Remote Desktop, Smart Cards and so on? I am more than happy to explain why I choose to have that component removed. By analyzing your purpose of using your computer, we can try to tailor the preset to suit your need.

You can also refer to Components To Keep which categorizes component removal based on the purpose. For example, if you want to use Windows Backups, you cannot remove the following components:

- Services =>
. Block Level Backup Engine Service (Breaks Volume Shadow Copy)
. Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider (Breaks Volume Shadow Copy)
. Volume Shadow Copy
. Windows Backup (Windows works great without, but backup is not usable)

- System =>
. Recovery
. System Restore

 

@alvinkhorfire: Well, the chipset driver and video driver weren't present, can't remember exactly about the rest. DriverMax didn't encounter a problem.
I integrated Windows 7 SP1, but no further .msu files.

 

That's exactly what I need, thanks!
And no offense taken.
I was just looking to make sure I didn't remove things necessary and, also, to get some extra input/presets from the community.
+rep (when possible)

 

I will deff try this, I am looking to reformat since I got ahold of this laptop, hasn't ran to perfection.

 

Sorry, I could not do more to help regarding the driver integration issue. It works fine in my M15x and my other Dell desktop.

It would be better if you integrate post-SP1 .msu files as well. Suppose that you integrate all post-SP1 .msu files available till today (21 July) to the customized image. Upon Windows installation, you only need to use Windows Update to install .msu files released after 21 July. It saves time of installing .msu files, plus your Windows installation is cleaner.

It is just my suggestion, though. Feel free to customize it to your satisfaction.

 

Yeah, I guess I'll try it again when I find time, it would be pretty slick to have a customized Windows installer ready to use.

 

@alvinkhorfire: Gonna give this another try, without including the drivers. Do you have some additional tips for performance increase?

 

em.. one question.. how to integrated window 7 sp1 into window 7 home premium?

 

@svl7
One way to obtain performance increase is disable Compatibility Mode. The reason for slight performance boost is explained in the description for "Turn Off Application Compatibility Engine" in Group Policy Editor. As such, Compatibility tab is disabled from view in the properties for any executable (.exe).

Use this tip only if all your software are compatible with Windows 7. As long as the software work well in Windows Vista onwards, there should not be any problem. Should there is any problem, just revert all setting. The tip is from the Black Viper website.

_______
@mohamadnizam
Download the original Microsoft Windows 7 SP1 iso from Legal Download from DigitalRiver: Windows 7 SP1, 13 languages. I believe that no matter how well the integration of SP1 into Windows 7 RTM iso, the end result will not as good as the integrated iso from Microsoft.

Then again, if you want to integrate SP1 into Windows 7 RTM, use RT 7 Lite Beta (Build 2.6.0, 64 bit) to slipstream Service Pack 1 into the Windows 7 RTM image, copied from the DVD. Please download SP1 installer from Microsoft Download Center.

 

Ok, thanks a lot! I'll give this a try when I make my new custom installation!

 

this means.. i just download the W7 HP from the link and i don't need to integrate the service pack 1? should i also integrate the windows update.
thanks in advance.

i also have the same problem as @slv7, my drivers weren't present. i noticed is wifi and maybe more..

 

@svl7
Best of luck in your attempt!

@mohamadnizam
The iso already has SP1 integrated in it, so you do not have to integrate SP1 to it anymore. That is a huge benefit in using Microsoft Windows 7 SP1 iso.

Still, you have to integrate all post-SP1 Windows updates as shown in this website. All of these hotfixes are released after the release of SP1, so you need to integrate them to obtain most up-to-dated iso.

Too bad, the list is no longer updated as for now. In addition to what is shown in the list, you should also download the following from Microsoft Download Center. For your convenience, I have also posted the links in this list (Updated till October 2011):

Code:

[URL="http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=26399"]KB2536276[/URL]
[URL="http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=27101"]KB2539635[/URL]: Windows6.1-KB2539635-x64.msu		
[URL="http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=27102"]KB2556532[/URL]	
[URL="http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=27073"]KB2560656[/URL]
[URL="http://download.microsoft.com/download/a/2/c/a2caa5d2-ac16-41ed-8228-4c1c5cea8456/Windows6.1-KB2562937-x64.msu"]KB2562937[/URL]
[URL="http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=26991"]KB2563227[/URL]
[URL="http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=27091"]KB2563894[/URL]
[URL="http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=27060"]KB2567680[/URL]
[URL="http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=27297"]KB2570947[/URL]
[URL="http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=27321"]KB2616676[/URL]
[URL="http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=27652"]KB2564958[/URL]
[URL="http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=27662"]KB2567053[/URL]
[URL="http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=27714"]KB2572077[/URL]: Windows6.1-KB2572077-x64.msu
[URL="http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=27663"]KB2579686[/URL]
[URL="http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=27611"]KB2586448[/URL]
[URL="http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=27661"]KB2604521[/URL]

Ensure that all files are of Windows6.1-KB2xxxxxx-x64.msu, so that you have the correct version.

 

ok, thanks a bunch~.
and can i use ur lastsession.inf completely? will it be any problem? coz u stated that the preset is for gaming.

btw, can i choose the windows update. coz i didn't use internet explorer 9. maybe i can skip those window update n save some time.

 

i did it! everything worked out the way it is.. but the user name is alvin. i did changed it . but still its alvin.. nvm, i can change in window. ahha.. thanks for everything.

 

@mohamadnizam
Glad to know that you have nearly everything worked out well. Yes, my reply is way too late, but it is better late than never!

Regarding the user name, please refer to the text mentioned in my first post of this thread:

As in your case, if your username is mohamadnizam, just type the following into "Un-attended" section in RT 7 Lite:
Full name=mohamadnizam-PC
Computer name=mohamadnizam-PC
User Account 1=mohamadnizam

_____________________
About driver integration problem, it may be due to slightly hardware configuration between my M15x and yours. I would suggest the following steps:

Hopefully, these additional steps can solve the driver integration problem.

 

Lol.. nvermind bout the late reply.

i did remove your driver preset and reload my preset.. and voila. it worked.
haha.. thanks a bunch. i did felt a improvement when doing daily task. a bit of speed.