Best way to OS to iso to install?!

[d1nky]

i want to turn a few operating systems into iso. files so that i can re-install them time and time again.

whats the best way for this?! and any tips?

 

[Ahhzz]

? do you mean creating an ISO from an installed operating system, or from a Disc you have sitting on your desk?

 

[Ahhzz]

Assuming you meant to make backups of your discs, I recommend MagicISO. Directions found via google here.
If you're asking about doing an image of your existing OS, there's no way to "rip" your OS from the install, but you can use software to image your install, so that you can restore to that point later if you screw up the system badly enough. I recommend paying for Image for Windows, and creating a boot recovery disc with it. You can create a backup at any point you're happy with the OS, store it anywhere it fits (thumb drive, NAS, other HD), then use the boot disc to restore to that point.

 

[Jetster]

It all depends in which OS

 

[erixx]

Joining in, more to add a question than to solve one.

I made a full system image with Win 8.1's own tool. It is stored on a secondary HDD.
Well there's an option inthe "Restore and Backup" section to restore my system.
But what if my system HDD dies and I cannot load Windows?
How to access the system image? With a windows installer USB stick?
How trustworthy are the "Restore discs" that Windows and Third parties offer?

In the past I always reinstalled Windows from scratch but after doing it so many years I am looking for a "one click" solution.

 

[d1nky]

I basically want to image an already installed OS (windows 8, 7 and xp)

I already use programs like nlite or 7lite to strip and tweak OS, install and then further tweaks.

But i want the entire thing in an iso. so that i can install the same state/copies time again. (if i were to do the image recovery way id have to mess with several drives and keep doing it that way)

 

[brandonwh64]

Norton ghost can make ISO's of a HDD but I would just suggest making a whole image and placing it on a thumbdrive cause its faster to install instead of useing a DVD drive.

 

[OneMoar]

nm.

 

[Ahhzz]

I basically want to image an already installed OS (windows 8, 7 and xp)

I already use programs like nlite or 7lite to strip and tweak OS, install and then further tweaks.

But i want the entire thing in an iso. so that i can install the same state/copies time again. (if i were to do the image recovery way id have to mess with several drives and keep doing it that way)

My recommendation is Image for Windows. Make the image, make a boot disc, point it at the image, wherever you store it, restore.

 

[Solaris17]

VHDs

 

[OneMoar]

VHDs

this
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/ee656415.aspx

 

[Solaris17]

this
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/ee656415.aspx

you can also do it in disk management. just click on your drive disk # then go to action create VHD

 

[Kursah]

you can also do it in disk management. just click on your drive disk # then go to action create VHD

+1 for VHD's

Good call Sol!

 

[d1nky]

For VHD's would i need to use VM's to reinstall them?! because benching would be a nightmare through that.

Also i will try the imaging as well.

Thanks guys.

 

[n0tiert]

Might be usefull, freeware

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/macrium_reflect_free_edition.html

 

[Solaris17]

you can boot VHDs you just need to modify the boot loader on the HDD in question be it a USB drive or a WD passport.

infact my recovery partition is actually an install of windows 7 with all my drivers etc only its actually a dynamic VHD so I can repair my main partition without going through the hassel of staring at cmd prompts.

 

[OneMoar]

you can boot VHDs you just need to modify the boot loader on the HDD in question be it a USB drive or a WD passport.

infact my recovery partition is actually an install of windows 7 with all my drivers etc only its actually a dynamic VHD so I can repair my main partition without going through the hassel of staring at cmd prompts.

!overkill

 

[Solaris17]

!overkill

maybe but it took me 15 to make and i can use my thumb drives for other things.

 

[OneMoar]

maybe but it took me 15 to make and i can use my thumb drives for other things.

I have 15 thumb drives one is sitting in the bottom of my case that contains my os and critical files

 

[Solaris17]

I have 15 thumb drives one is sitting in the bottom of my case that contains my os and critical files

thats a good idea

 

[Jetster]

I use to do that but I always forget they are there