Hardware independent image, question../

What is the best way to create hardware independent image of up to date Windows Vista/7, with installed programs that can be restoredto multiple computers?

Also what should I do before creating an image so that, once resotred, it ask me for Windows key so that I can enter different key for each installation?

is there a software that can do all this?

tx

 

tricky one.... maybe install windows as and dont activate online but also try to avoid installing drivers other than the 1's builtin to windows. and do all the usual steps to clear junk or unneeded progs, run an online av scan, to keep the backup as small as possible. also dont install any progs that use hardware fingerprinting to avoid future activation and licensing hassles.

lastly bear in mind that if you activate too often in a short period of time then M$ might think your abusing the licensing and blacklist your key......

Gazzer

 

Maybe I did not explane well...

I need that image to use on customer computers, basically I want to restore that image to unknown computer and after restoring install drivers.

What is the benefit for me?

I dont have to install all programs every thime I format PC, programs such as PDF reader, players, flash, java, etc. and I dont have to run Windows updates from the beginning since most of updates would be installed and I just do the rest and shorten the installation process...

Upon instalation I am planing to change the key and not to use the same key again.

 

Durad,

You could try this, Create a Win7 installation without a serial number. Non Activated. Install your apps. Use TBOSDT Pro to strip out all drivers except AHCI/IDE. Remain offline and create an image of the relevant partitions.

You are ready to install this non activated, "driverless" Win7 image to other computers. Enter a key to activate and deal with the drivers.

 

u can install any programs as normal then restore the image with a program that allows restore to dissimilar hardware such acronis with plus,terrabyte, and i loads of others. then u can change the key from inside windows and activate.

 

Go to the thread @ wilders in my signature. (w/HIR) It tackles the first part of your complex question, thanks to Brian.