Guides / Create Minimal Win7/8 ISO

Create Minimal Win7/8 ISO

Create a CD-sized Windows 7 or 8 image for fast VMs with Windows Update support.

Create a small CD-sized Windows 7 or 8 image for fast virtual machines that can run most Windows Desktop applications, be updated with Windows Update, and use minimal resources.

Note: This guide covers both Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1. Where there are differences, they are noted.

System Requirements

  • Host system with at least 8 GB RAM
  • Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8.1 ISO file
  • NTLite with Home license or higher
  • Virtual machine software for testing

Preparations

  • Create a VM as a Host for NTLite with the full version of the target OS (e.g., Windows 8 Pro 32-bit)
  • Assign at least 2GB memory for the OS hosting NTLite
  • Download Windows ISO from Microsoft
  • For Windows 8.1, let NTLite convert the compressed .esd to .wim
  • Extract contents to a folder on the Desktop

NTLite Settings

Components Configuration

In Compatibility options, select:

  • Printing, Recommended All, USB support
  • Windows Update, Host Machine (or HWlist)

Use Expand All → Uncheck All, then add back:

  • Application Compatibility (essential for older applications)
  • High definition audio device drivers
  • Group Policy Client & Local Security Policy
  • Wallpapers (Default), Internet Explorer client
  • Win7 only: Desktop Window Manager (for Audio and Network)

Tweaks

  • Auto Reboot on BSOD: Disabled
  • UAC: Disable prompt on Secure Desktop
  • Optionally modify services according to Black Viper Safe list

Post-Setup

Useful additions:

  • 7-Zip: 7z938.msi /q INSTALLDIR="C:\Program Files\7-Zip"
  • Firefox: Firefox Setup.exe -ms
  • WinDirStat: windirstat1_1_2_setup.exe /S

Registry tweaks for Windows 8:

; DisableSwapfile.reg - disable Metro swapfile
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management]
"SwapfileControl"=dword:0

; NoLockScreen.reg - disable the Lock Screen
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization]
"NoLockScreen"=dword:00000001

Apply Settings

  • Enable Clean Update backup and optionally Reuse Driver Cache
  • Use ESD compression to get the image down to almost CD size (~15 min extra processing)
  • Create ISO and save preset for future use

Expected Results

  • ISO size: ~700 MB with ESD, ~900 MB without
  • Installed size: 2.3 - 2.8 GB
  • Memory usage: 200-300 MB after idle (about half of regular install)
  • Windows 8 Lite is more responsive and almost as fast as Windows XP

Post-Installation Cleanup

  • Use WinDirStat to check space usage
  • Delete 'Software Distribution' folder (stop Windows Update Service first)
  • Shrink WinSXS with DISM cleanup commands
  • Disable System Protection (Win7) and delete restore points
  • Run Windows Disk Cleanup

Known Limitations

Windows 8.1:

  • Creating new users requires command line
  • Metro IE will not load pages (use desktop IE or Firefox)
  • Cannot change account picture (Metro not installed)

General:

  • If nothing from .NET is installed, Event Viewer may not work
  • Some errors will show in Event Monitor but don't affect functionality
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