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Create a VHD from the Windows Server 2008 R2 Image disk

TL;DR; Step-by-step guide to create a Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) from a Windows Server 2008 R2 image using Windows AIK and WIM2VHD, including common pitfalls and tips.

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Previously I created this the manual way , but if you have a fast internet connection and can take the 1.6gb download of the AIK, then this is a much easier way of getting started.

This is not really the same as the SSW image that I created before, the SSW image was a lovely slipstreamed beauty with all the application I would ever need already preinstalled.. It was 32GB and took a very long time to setup. This will be sum what faster as it  only require a base Windows Server 2008 Setup…

  1. Download Windows® Automated Installation Kit (AIK)
    Create a VHD from the Windows Server 2008 R2 Image disk Figure: Downloading AIK, done in under 5 minutes
    Create a VHD from the Windows Server 2008 R2 Image disk   Figure: Unpack using WinRAR, don’t burn it as it is a waste of a DVD. Some applications don’t like being run from a Virtual DVD.
  2. Install  the AIK onto your local computer.
    Create a VHD from the Windows Server 2008 R2 Image disk Figure: Weird setup, but what the heck…
  3. Download and Install Windows(R) Image to Virtual Hard Disk (WIM2VHD) Converter
    Create a VHD from the Windows Server 2008 R2 Image disk Figure: Its just a script file that you download. I would prefer if it was a command line app with an optional UI, but you can’t have everything.
  4. Mount your Windows 2008 R2 image to a Virtual DVD drive. I am using Virtual Clone Drive.
    Create a VHD from the Windows Server 2008 R2 Image disk Figure: Mounted Windows 2008 R2 ready to go…
    Create a VHD from the Windows Server 2008 R2 Image disk Figure: Use your favourite Virtual DVD mounting software..
  5. Create a VHD from the Windows Server 2008 R2 Image disk Run the script to create your VHD using a command line running as an administrator CSCRIPT WIM2VHD.WSF /WIM:I:sourcesinstall.wim /SKU:SERVERSTANDARDCORE /VHD:D:WimBuildWinSvr2008R2OOB.vhd
    Create a VHD from the Windows Server 2008 R2 Image disk  

You now have a lovely Out Of Box Windows 2008 R2 VHD. I would keep a copy of this in a nice safe place so you don’t need that coffee break every time.

Whoa there… not so fast..

Did you spot my mistake?

Could it be to do with the little “SERVERSTANDARDCORE” tag?

Could it be the “CORE” bit?

I think so.. I was just wondering why my resultant VHD was only 2.5gb in size!

Doh!

Lets try that properly:

NaN. Create a VHD from the Windows Server 2008 R2 Image disk Run the script to create your VHD using a command line running as an administrator

CSCRIPT WIM2VHD.WSF /WIM:I:sourcesinstall.wim /SKU:SERVERSTANDARD /VHD:D:WimBuildWinSvr2008R2OOB.vhd
Create a VHD from the Windows Server 2008 R2 Image disk

Make a copy of this file, and attach it to your boot list, and boot…

Technorati Tags: Windows   SSW

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