DarkNite

For those of you who don't know what a slipstream installation is, it's basically a stripped-down version of the installation disk. You can remove parts of the operating system you know you're never going to use, ie. Accessibility programs, Games, and other components.

I find it very handy, especially if you reinstall frequently.

Step 1 - Installing vLite v1.2RC

Download both vLite version 1.1.6 final and V1.2RC from the official website.

http://www.vlite.net/download.html

The reason we are downloading both versions is because the latest version doesn't ship with a necessary driver (.dll) that is used to mount the CD (required) and the earlier version does. We need to install both and copy the file from the old version to the new one and uninstall the old one.

So ahead and install the earlier (V1.16) version. Once installed, go to the installation folder (C:\Program Files\vLite on x86-based systems and C:\Program Files(x86)\vLite on 64-bit systems).

Copy wimgapi.dll to your desktop, and go to Control Panel -> Programs and Features and uninstall vLite.

Once it's finished, install the latest version that you downloaded (V1.2RC) and install it. Copy wimgapi.dll from your Desktop to the download folder (C:\Program Files\vLite on x86-based systems and C:\Program Files(x86)\vLite on 64-bit systems).

Now we can actually start to use the program.

Step 2 - Mounting and Copying over our Vista installation

Run vLite (Start -> vLite -> vLite). Accept the Agreement



And click "Install" under the Wim Filter text.

Have your Vista installation CD in your tray and click browser to select where the Vista Files are located.

After, select (or create) a folder to store the files temporarily on your hard drive.

vLite will copy all the files over (could take around 10 minutes).



Step 3 - Stripping our installation

Click "Next" at the bottom of the window once the files have been copied.

Now tick the boxes corresponding to what you would like to do to your setup.

Integration - Integrate drivers/hotfixes
Components - Selectively remove unwanted componenets from the installation
Tweaks - Miscellaneous system tweaks
Unattended Setup - Pre-Enter your CD-Key, pre-accept the EULA, and ore-set other installation options (Time, region etc.)
Bootable ISO - Create an .iso of your finished slipstream installation at the end.

The rest is up to you to create your preferred cutom installation.

A Word of advice - Removing items from the "Components" section is permanent. Be careful.

Step 4 - Burning our new Slipstream Installation to a DVD-R (or as a .iso)

In the "ISO" tab, choose a mode (direct burn to burn it, create image for .iso)

If you want to Simply save it as a .iso to burn/mount later, choose Create Image, name it and click "Make ISO" at the bottom.

If you want to burn it, choose "Direct Burn", insert a blank CD, name and burn.

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BiG O

good guide, looks pretty useful.

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Guide: How to make Windows reinstallations more efficient with Windows PE

xShishy

Haha nice .

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1337guy

This is usefull,i did this with my vista that i had,but now im using an nlited xp (total cd size was 195mb )..installs within 8mins with all my drivers integrated(sound,graphics)..is blazing fast TBH.

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xHassassin

Do you need to make it an .iso file to burn? Also, does it need to be a DVD-R disk?

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"Men who stand on toilets are high on pot."

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rx7speed

going to read this later.

blupupher

Nice. Basically the same as Nlite. Nice to know about the missing .dll file.
I need to do this to put SP1 in my disks. It is a pain waiting for all those updates with a fresh install.

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DarkNite

It can be a CD or a dvd

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xHassassin

So any type of disk, DVD-R, DVD+R, CD+R, CD-R, CD-RW, CD+RW, etc. will work? Is one type better than the other?
Thanks for the tut!

__________________

"Men who stand on toilets are high on pot."

Current Projects
Aztec Ambiance
(On Hold Because I'm Lazy)
-------
Troglodytic Tech Terminal
(Why does no one respond...?)

blupupher

Well, it depends on the size. If it is greater than 700MB, it needs to be a DVD, but any type of disk will work, +R, -R, +RW, -RW. None is really any better than another, just depends on what your drive will read or write.

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