In Forum: Computer Discussion
By User: billkarageorge666
Although it is unofficial yet, Microsoft will stop creating service packs for Windows. "There are no plans for Windows 7 SP2" Microsoft says.
That is bad news for those who expected a rollup of updates for Windows 7 and additional features added to Windows 7, such as native USB 3 support.
But Windows 7 is an excellent OS and installing it should not be a pain of manually downloading and applying updates + installing .NET 4.x and other apps after Windows setup.
This guide will help you to fully integrate these updates into your Windows 7 installation disk.
1. First make sure you have the most updated version of the installation files. It is essential to have a Windows 7 SP1 installation disk. Note that although SP1 integration can be done, it will only affect the Windows install image (install.wim). But this will not update installation files. The side-effect of this is that you will not be able to perform a repair installation using your Windows installation disk - you will not be able to select Upgrade installation type from within your (partially corrupted) SP1 system.
You can find and download legally from the following link:
http://www.mydigitallife.info/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-from-digital-river/
2. Many sites describe integration of updates using DISM (Deployment Image Servicing Management tool). I will not use this method because it has a basic disadvantage: it attempts to install updates on-the-fly during Windows Setup. But this is not possible for various updates; it is highly likely that installation will fail. Moreover, you cannot integrate .NET 4.x. You have to install it after setup completes.
The idea of my method is simple:
- Install Windows in VMWare Virtual Machine. Install only the version you want to update (e.g. Ultimate)
- When setup completes and oobe (Windows Welcome) starts, immediately press Ctrl+Shift+F3 combination. This will enter Audit Mode.
- Ignore sysprep window (close it) for the moment.
- Do not install VMWare additions.
- Do not add any files to the Administrator user account.
- Transfer IE9 (IE latest version) installation files + latest version of System Update Readiness Tool + Silverlight installation + .NET 4.x installation +Adobe flash installation to an external USB drive
- Connect the USB drive to the Virtual Machine
- Run IE9 installation from the usb drive.
- Reboot Windows in virtual machine
- Download the latest update from Windows Update (make sure to use Microsoft Update)
- Reboot as many times as necessary. Press Ctrl+Shift+F3 if you are faced with oobe.
- Install Silverlight, .NET 4.5, Adobe Flash + all updates
- Do other configuration changes you may wish.
- When EVERY update has been installed, make sure to run the latest version of the system update readiness tool - it will ensure system consistency for future updates.
- Reboot one last time and disconnect external drive from virtual machine. Configure VM to start from CDROM.
- Start Windows in audit mode as you previously did. Sysprep tools comes up again. Do not close it now. Make sure that "Enter Out-of-the-box experience" is selected.
Then CHECK "Generalize".
- In shutdown options check "Reboot"
Click OK.
Sysprep will prepare your Windows System for distribution.
System will restart.
- When system restarts boot from Windows 7 SP1 disk and click repair your computer.
IGNORE warnings about startup problems. When you access recovery options, click Command Prompt.
- On the host computer, download Windows AIK (WAIK). From the Program Files\Windowa AIK\tools\[platform] copy-paste the imagex.exe utility to your external drive.
- Connect external drive to virtual machine.
- Capture an image of the system drive (it should be D:) using imagex utility with MAXIMUM compression. Save target wim file as install.wim on the external USB drive.
- Shut down VM.
- Using an ISO editing tool, edit the Windows 7 SP1 ISO and replace original install.wim with the one you created earlier.
3. You can now further customize your Windows installation; add drivers and update packages with dism, perform unattended installation, add custom scripts and even more.
I have tested the resulting ISO and both upgrade and custom install paths are possible. Note that installation dates of integrated MSU packages and programs will remain unchanged. (It reminds us of SP1 update which always shows the same installtion date in the updates list when installing windows from an untouched SP1 source).