Creating Windows installation "blueprint"

[Baterka]

Hi, I saw in many LTT videos when testing HDD or something else, they have some kind of prepared Windows installation.

 

How can I make something like this?

I need portable Windows installation where I put software for testing stuff, maybe some games and repack it again, to be able to fast install it on any new drive I get.

[kelvinhall05]

I think they just install Windows on a regular internal SSD or HDD, then just unplug it and move it over to another system when required. I may be wrong, but this is what I think they do.

[wojtepanik]

win 10 could be theoreticly installed on mobile ssd, but it would configure itself with every new hardware detected, not really optimal tho, you can always prepare ISO image of cleans intall of windows with every soft you need

[AskTJ]

It's a small SSD with Windows 10 on it. Probably a Type-C port or Thunderbolt, as it would have to be fast to work.

[homeap5]

Do you need it portable for moving to another computer or just want to unplug that drive when is not used?

[MCManiac52]

55 minutes ago, Baterka said:

Hi, I saw in many LTT videos when testing HDD or something else, they have some kind of prepared Windows installation.

 

How can I make something like this?

I need portable Windows installation where I put software for testing stuff, maybe some games and repack it again, to be able to fast install it on any new drive I get.

They just use a regular old ssd with windows installed like normal and plug it into whatever test bench they're using. Windows 10 has built in support for most modern hardware so most of the time, switching to different test benches won't be an issue.

[chiller15]

A clean way to do it would be to create a basic VM and install a clean version of Windows (because as a VM, it will have practically no drivers installed). Then you can use SysPrep and take the image. Then that image can be deployed out.

 

In a typical business Windows environment, WDS or SCCM (which also uses WDS) would be used to deploy images over the network.

[Baterka]

2 hours ago, homeap5 said:

Do you need it portable for moving to another computer or just want to unplug that drive when is not used?

No I want test drives so I need iso file or something similar

[homeap5]

1. Buy that cool hotswap case (if still possible): https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817974005

2. Use Macrium Reflect Free to clone your system (best way is to made it using USB created with Macrium Reflect itself)

3. Replace your bootable disk anytime you want.

 

It's what I do and it works perfectly.

 

[BeefyMeats]

For what you want to do; just go to the control panel and search for "windows to go". (might need pro edition)