Summary

This article provides information about preparation of sealed images for Windows Virtual Machines.

Applies To

Applies to MachPanel v6.5.25 and onward.

Procedure for creating Windows VM Sealed Images

STEP-1: CREATE VM

Minimum Disk Space 10-12 GB: Create a VM to host the operating system of your choice with minimal disk space i.e. from 10 to 12 GB, as the purchased storage will then be added to respective VM later based on Service Plans.

Other Settings:

1. Adjust the Windows Firewall as per your requirements.
2. Install antivirus & monitoring tools, if any.
3. Allow Remote Desktop Connection.
4. Set local Administrator Password to Never Expire.

STEP-2: SEALED IMAGE FILE NAME for GEN1 & GEN2:

Sealed Image File Name for Gen1 & Gen2: MachPanel creates and identifies Gen1 and Gen2 type Virtual Machines based on sealed image file name. Make sure the .vhdx file name contains R2 like "SealedImageName-R2.vhdx” to create Gen2 VM during provisioning (Example: WindowsServer2022-R2.vhdx). For a sealed image that needs to be used for Gen1, simply exclude "R2" from file name (Example: WindowsServer2019.vhdx).

STEP-3 SCHEDULED TASK

In order to set Machine Name, Password and IP Address of VM, we need to create a "Scheduled Task" in sealed image. Please review details below to create a scheduled task to allow MachPanel to "Set Password" and process other OS initialization steps in Gen1 & Gen2 VM: http://kb.machsol.com/Knowledgebase/Article/53471

Note: There is a difference between creation of scheduled task for Gen1 and Gen2 type virtual Machines. Please check details in above KB and create task accordingly.

STEP-4: SEAL THE IMAGES / PREPARE WINDOWS VM SEALED IMAGES

To SYSPREP the windows installation do the following:

1. Sample / Generic sysprep.xml file is provided. You can adjust it as per your requirements.
2. Copy sysprep.xml to C:\Windows\System32\sysprep inside the VM that needs to become your sealed image / os template.
   
3. In Command Prompt type: C:\windows\system32\sysprep>sysprep /generalize /oobe /shutdown /unattend:sysprep.xml
4. On completion, you will find the OS in shutdown state.
5. ​Your sealed image is ready. Copy the VHD/VHDX file of this VM to some other safe place.
6. You will need to specify the path to the folder that contains your prepared VHDs in MachPanel configuration.

Note: Please download sysprep.zip file from the DOWNLOAD File section. This zip file contains sysprep.xml.