Install Remote Installation Services images on separate physical disks than the operating system to improve imaging performance.
Make sure that the operating system is installed and patched to the latest service pack and post service pack release when creating desktop images.
Use Sysprep before imaging an existing workstation.
Select the MiniSetup and Reseal options only on machines built to be used as a template image system.
Update images when the operating system has a new major release such as a service pack or if a new version is available.
Update images when desktop application software vendors release a major upgrade or software revision.
Update images when post-deployment tasks that can be automated extend the time necessary to complete desktop deployment.
Update images when hardware platforms change enough to require manual driver installations.
Use Qchains.exe to simplify the installation of several Microsoft hotfixes and/or security updates and install all the updates at one time to reduce the number of required reboots.
Review and test updates before performing an automatic installation on multiple systems.