Guide: Minimize Vista install size using VLite - Overclock.net

ignite · 07-13-08

VLite, for any of you that haven't heard of it, is a program that allows you to customize your Vista install in any way you want. This is a great help in minimizing the size of Vista while removing any unnecessary programs/processes you don't need on your system.

VLite 1.16

To start, you have to "rip" your Vista install DVD to your harddrive. Once it is ripped, start up VLite and it will ask you for your Vista installation files.

After choosing the directory, it will prompt you to pick the version of Vista you want to install (if you have the Ultimate DVD, you can still have every version on the end image).

Once the image is up, there are various options to customize vista.

1. Slipstream: In this section, you can slipstream various updates (including SP1) into your Vista install via the update .exe files.

2. Integration: Hotfixes, drivers and language packs can be added here.

3. Components: This is where the fun begins! In this section, you can remove just about any Vista component from your install. To make things even better, VLite even points out the size of each component you want to remove. In order to remove it, just check the box (be careful, as removing some of the components can limit Vista features).

For starters, I removed every language besides the ones I planned on using (this section takes up a significant amount of space), Speech to text as well as most of the Printer drivers. There are quite a few components that could be removed, but it differs from user to user.

4. Tweaks: You can tweak your vista install to shut off UAC, Hibernate, Power options and many other options from here.

5. Unattended: Want your Vista product key to be built into your Install DVD and for Vista to activate automatically? Here is where you do it. Additionally, you can choose which version of Vista to include (if you don't want all on the DVD) and predefine your user account. Click next when you are finished here and you are almost done!

6. ISO: This section just builds your Vista ISO. When you are sure you have configured your Vista install in the way you want it, click create ISO. Pick your DIR and name, and let VLite do it's work! Once finished, load up your burning software of choice, and burn your new "Lite" Vista.

After installation, my Vista took up 5-7GB less than my current Vista install (tested this on an extra HD). Not bad if you ask me

Just remember, if you notice that your HD usage is about 4GB more than your Windows folder, Hibernate uses up 2GB of space, as does Page file (System restore eats up a bunch too).