This is tutorial with simple step by step instructions in:
- How to create a VM.
- How to install Windows 10.
- How to install Dell ImageAssist.
- How to capture your Gold image using ImageAssist.
These instructions may change as Microsoft keeps sending out new builds for Windows 10. The instructions were created using VMWare Workstation 12 Pro. There are other helpful articles to look up and reference for similar procedures here:
Best practices for building your image in a Virtual Machine
Image Build & Restore Instructions
Download latest ImageAssist driver packs here
1. Creating the VM.
Click next after your settings are set for each page or instruction.
2. Selecting VM features and size.
Click next when completed.
3. Browse for the ISO.
Click next when completed.
4. Selecting the Operating System.
Click next when completed.
5. Selecting system name and VM location in host.
Click next when completed.
6. Setting the VM boot to firmware type.
Click next when completed.
7. Processor configuration
Click next when completed.
8. Select the amount of RAM for the VM.
Click next when completed.
9. Selecting network type.
Click next when completed.
10. Selecting I/O Controller.
Click next when completed.
11. Selecting Disk type.
Click next when completed.
12. Creating a Virtual disk.
Click next when completed.
13. Select the disk size.
Click next when completed.
14. Take note of the location of the VM.
Click next when completed.
15. Ready to complete creation of the VM.
Click finish.
16. Edit VM system settings.
17. Verifying ISO location.
18. Setting up the Virtual Machine boot to BIOS/Windows ISO.
19. Installing Windows 10. Booting to the O/S and capturing first Snapshot.
(Take a snapshot now in case the VM build fails.)
Select the language and keyboard layout of choice.
20. At this stage, Windows 10 OEM install is a bit different than retail Windows versions. You first select ‘troubleshoot’ then ‘Recover from a Drive’ to begin the install of Windows 10 in the VM.
21. Begin the install of Windows 10 by selecting Recover from a Drive. The process will begin installing Windows 10 on the drive space carved out from the host.
22. At this stage, the install process of Windows 10 begins. It may seem like it’s locked up at times but it’s not. This step can take up to 2 hours or more to complete.
23. At this stage, the VM has been created and Windows 10 has been installed. We now move forward with the installation of ImageAssist.
24. Get an external USB drive that contains the Dell ImageAssist installer. Connect to the drive and run the ImageAssist installation.
25. Now that ImageAssist has been installed, the capture of the maintenance image begins. Follow the guide me to proceed.
26. Here you will begin the Auto Capture and create your Dell PE Key.
27. A summary page will show up and ready to run selections.
28. The USB Creator is ready to start. The USB flash drive was added like shown in step 24.
29. The USB creator has completed making the Dell PE Key.
30. The XML creator will show up like illustrated below. Click on Build XML and the validation checker will begin.
31. The validation checker will make sure that all the fields in the XML are correct as well as doing software and driver checks.
32. The capture process is underway. ImageAssist is collecting data and injecting drivers. The system will reboot and the capture tool takes over.
33. At this stage, the VM has rebooted by now and the capture tool is ready to launch. You will get a small window of time in case you wish to put the WIM file in a different drive. Please refer to step 24 to connect a USB drive to the VM in order to place the WIM file there.
34. Windows PE enumerates the drive letters differently than how Windows does. If you hover over each drive letter it will tell you what drive letter corresponds to what drive. In this case the SanDisk USB external Flash drive is the letter U:
35. ImageAssist completes the capture of the WIM file and placing it in the external USB drive that it was connected to. After this step you are done! The WIM is captured in the path provided.
