Question:

How can I create a customized Windows 10 image with specific group policy and registry settings, and apply it to multiple laptops with local accounts only? I want to avoid setting up each laptop individually and instead use a script to automate the process..

Answer:

How to create and deploy a customized Windows 10 image

Windows 10 is a versatile operating system that can be customized to suit different needs and preferences. However, if you have multiple laptops that you want to configure with the same settings, it can be tedious and time-consuming to do it manually for each one. Fortunately, there is a way to create a customized Windows 10 image with specific group policy and registry settings, and apply it to multiple laptops with local accounts only. This article will show you how to do it in a few steps.

The first step is to create a reference laptop that has all the settings and applications that you want to replicate on the other laptops. You can use any laptop that meets the minimum requirements for Windows 10, and install the latest version of Windows 10 from a bootable USB drive or DVD. You can also use an existing laptop that has Windows 10 installed, but make sure to back up your data and remove any unwanted programs or files.

Once you have installed Windows 10, you can customize it according to your needs. You can use the Settings app, the Control Panel, or the Group Policy Editor to change various options and features. You can also use the Registry Editor to modify the registry settings that are not accessible through the graphical interface. For example, you can disable Cortana, tweak the Start menu, or change the default apps.

You can also install any applications that you want to have on the other laptops, such as Microsoft Office, Google Chrome, or Adobe Reader. Make sure to update them to the latest versions and configure them as you like. You can also create shortcuts, pin apps to the taskbar, or change the desktop background.

Step 2: Capture the reference laptop image

The next step is to capture the reference laptop image and save it as a file. You can use a tool called Sysprep to prepare the reference laptop for imaging. Sysprep is a built-in tool that removes the unique information from the reference laptop, such as the computer name, the security identifier (SID), and the product key. This allows the image to be applied to different laptops without causing any conflicts or errors.

To use Sysprep, you need to open an elevated command prompt and navigate to the folder where Sysprep is located. By default, it is in C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep. Then, you need to run the following command:

`sysprep /generalize /oobe /shutdown`

This command will generalize the reference laptop, set it to the out-of-box experience (OOBE) mode, and shut it down. The OOBE mode is the state where Windows 10 asks you to set up the basic settings, such as the language, the region, and the user account, when you first turn on the laptop.

After the reference laptop is shut down, you need to use another tool called ImageX to capture the reference laptop image and save it as a file. ImageX is a command-line tool that is part of the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (Windows ADK). You can download and install the Windows ADK from the Microsoft website. You only need to select the Deployment Tools feature during the installation.

To use ImageX, you need to boot the reference laptop from a Windows PE (Preinstallation Environment) media, such as a USB drive or a DVD. Windows PE is a minimal operating system that allows you to perform various tasks, such as troubleshooting, recovery, or deployment, without loading the full Windows 10. You can create a Windows PE media using the Windows ADK.

Once you have booted the reference laptop from the Windows PE media, you need to open a command prompt and navigate to the folder where ImageX is located. By default, it is in X:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\x86 (or x64, depending on the architecture of your reference laptop). Then, you need to run the following command:

`imagex /capture C: D:\CustomImage.wim “Custom Windows 10 Image” /compress fast /verify`

This command will capture the reference laptop image from the C: drive and save it as a file named CustomImage.wim in the D: drive. You can change the drive letters and the file name according to your situation. The command will also add a description to the image, compress it using the fast method, and verify its integrity.

Step 3: Apply the reference laptop image to the other laptops

The final step is to apply the reference laptop image to the other laptops that you want to customize. You can use the same ImageX tool that you used to capture the image, but with a different command. You also need to boot the other laptops from the Windows PE media, and make sure that they have the same or larger disk size as the reference laptop.

To apply the reference laptop image to the other laptops, you need to open a command prompt and navigate to the folder where ImageX is located. Then, you need to run the following command:

`imagex /apply D:\CustomImage.wim 1 C:`

This command will apply the reference laptop image from the file named CustomImage.wim in the D: drive to the C: drive of the other laptop. The number 1 indicates the index of the image in the file, which is usually 1 unless you have multiple images in the same file. You can change the drive letters and the file name according to your situation.

After the image is applied, you need to restart the other laptop and complete the OOBE setup. You can choose to create a local account or skip the account creation, depending on your preference. You can also use a script to automate the OOBE setup and the account creation, using a tool called Unattend.xml. You can create and edit the Unattend.xml file using the Windows System Image Manager (Windows SIM), which is also part of the Windows ADK.

Once the OOBE setup is done, you will see that the other laptop has the same settings and applications as the reference laptop. You can repeat this process for as many laptops as you want, and enjoy your customized Windows 10 experience.