Best Practices

• 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.