How to remotely install Win7 to new computers.

[Leonidas]

I have a number of new computers at work and I want to install Win7 to all of them at the same time.

The PCs doesn't have any OS on atm. They are connected to a simple LAN.

I have Server 2008.

I have never done this so if you could point me to a helpful resource I would appreciate it.

 

[Kloofvreter]

Take a look at OSD

 

[Johnatan56]

Try this:

[video=youtube;44RQGA2To5E]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44RQGA2To5E[/video]

First google hit.

Skip to WDS I assume.


Or try the written from windows: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb742378.aspx
That one seems better/more what you are asking.

 

[me_]

Microsoft has a whole lot of tools for doing this.

WDS - Windows Deployment Services - Sets up network boot location and presents image to be installed to PCs
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh831764.aspx
Sysprep - Use an existing installation as a base image
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/302577
MDT - Microsoft Deployment Toolkit - More advanced deployment configuration
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dn475741.aspx

If you go the MDT root, you can download patches from http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/ and include them in your base build so a newly built PC doesn't have so many patches to download.

Here is a more detailed guide for sysprep:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/286053-system-preparation-tool-use-customize-windows.html

 

[Johnatan56]

Oh, be sure on all the machines that you allow WDS under the BIOS, in case it isn't working.

 

[Leonidas]

I decided to just copy my Windows 7 DVD to 10 other DVDs and to install windows in batches.

I installed the network driver and then shared a folder with all the other **** I want to install in it.

It is taking a bit longer, but I'll figure out networking installations later this year.

 

[Arthur]

Acronis Snap Deploy.

Deploys a master image to multiple systems, multicast.

 

[CataclysmZA]

You know, if the systems are all the same, you can just do the fresh install and complete the setup and updates on one drive, then image it onto the other drives, then go to each PC and update the product key. That's waaaay quicker than manually installing and configuring Windows 7 on ten computers all at once.

Also, to save on network bandwidth and your internet cap, use this to keep the systems updated: WSUS Offline Update. It is a lot quicker for smaller network installations than actually rolling out WSUS on Server 2008. Also, if you don't have a hardware firewall already, consider using a spare computer with two network ports and PFSense to keep your network secure.

 

[ameverrit]

thats pretty helpful thanks a bunch