Slipstream Windows XP

These are instructions for creating an install CD or DVD of MS Windows XP with service
pack 3 (SP3).

Notes
1. These instructions:
a. Uses nLite to create the updated operating system package. nLite allows a
number of components to be added and customisation to be done. All settings are
saved to Last Session.ini. This file can be used for subsequent slipstreaming to
minimise the number of settings that need to be changed. It’s fantastic!
b. Are based on material from several sources, particularly LifeHacker
http://lifehacker.com/386526/slipstream-service-pack-3-into-your-windows-xp-
installation-cd.
c. Will allow a package small enough to fit onto a CD but my package includes a
number of additional programs and is about 1.5GB, so I’m using a DVD.
2. Service Packs:
a. Service Packs are cumulative – ie SP3 includes SP1 and SP2.
b. If having problems finding SPs go to www.microsoft.com/downloads and in the
search criteria enter something like “office 2003 sp”.
c. nLite also allows patches to be added to your slipsteamed package.
3. When installing from the finished updated application the Product Key is not
required.

Preparation
4. Under C:\Slipstream, create a folder structure similar to the following:

Refer
Folder For
para

WinXP_SP3 The slipstreamed WinXP package

Install\ nLite For Last Session.ini (if it exists)

ServicePacks WinXP and Office service packs

WindowsComponents Items to be added to WinXP slipstream

Package\ Prgs Prgs to be installed, including Office

Miscell Other items including script files and doco

5. Download nLite from www.nliteos.com/download.html to C:\Slipstream\Other\nLite,

then install.
6. If you are want to create a DVD image, ensure you have a DVD burner. I used the
freeware DeepBurner Free from www.deepburner.com.
7. If you have a Last Session.ini file that you want to use, copy it to
C:\Slipstream\Install\Miscell, then install.
8. Download MS Windows XP SP3 to C:\Slipstream\Install\ServicePacks
9. Add latest versions of Windows components (eg IE, Media Player) to
C:\Slipstream\Install\WindowsComponents.

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10. Prepare a text file containing a list of Product Keys for programs you intend to install.
11. For additional material required on the WinXP DVD, add
a. Applications eg Adobe, ZoneAlarm and the slipstreamed versions of msOffice,
msProject and msVisio to C:\Slipstream\Package\Prgs; and
b. Other items to C:\Slipstream\Package\Miscell, including
i. Batch and script files,
ii. Documentation, and
iii. List of Product Keys for programs you intend to install.
12. Have your MS Windows XP CD and Product ID handy.

Commence
13. Insert WinXP CD into drive.
14. Start nLite.
15. Locating the Windows installation:
a. When prompted, browse to C:\Slipstream\WinXP_SP3 ie “Locate the Windows
installation files to customise”.
b. You may also need to identify the drive containing the CD.
When both locations are known, the copy of files from the CD to
C:\Slipstream\WinXP_SP3 commences automatically.
When finished, press Next.
16. Load or import any existing settings (ie Last Session.ini - I had none) then press
Next
17. Task Selection: Press All (so all icons are green, not red), then press Next
18. Service Pack:
a. Select the slipstream package (downloaded in para 8 above to
C:\Slipstream\Install\ServicePacks); slipstream commences automatically.
b. Press OK to close the following dialog:

c. When finished press Next.

19. Hotfixes, Add-ons and Update Packs:
a. Configure as required (I had none) – add items from
C:\Slipstream\Install\WindowsComponents
b. Press Next.
20. Drivers:
a. Add those that are to be integrated (I had none)
b. Press Next.

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21. Components:
a. Compatibility:
i. A separate Compatibility dialog opens at the same time.
ii. Enable those items to be kept (refer table below) - to avoid accidently
removing some features in the next step.

Enable Cameras and Camcorders

Enable DHCP functionality (Ethernet and Wi-Fi)
Fast User Switching
Enable Internet Explorer
Internet Information Services (IIS)
Enable Media Center
Enable NT Backup | Volume Shadow Copy
Prefetch Functionality
Enable Printers (Local, Network and PDF)
Enable Remote Desktop
Tablet PC
Windows Activation and Sysprep
Enable Windows Update Web Site

Press OK.
b. Components – select the components you want to remove:
i. Applications: select Accessibility Options and Briefcase
ii. Drivers: -
iii. Hardware Support: recommendation was to select (ie remove) all items in
black text (ie leave those in red).
iv. Keyboards: select all, then deselect UK, UK Extended, US International
v. Languages: select all, then under Western Europe and the US, deselect
English (Aust) and English (UK)
vi. Multimedia: select Tablet PC
vii. Network: select MSN Explorer and Windows Messenger
viii. Operating System Options: -
ix. Services: -
x. Directories: -
Press Next.

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22. Unattended - carefully go through each tab:

Tab Item Value / Note

General Unattended Mode Fully automated
Product Key G693B …
Skip OOBE (Intro Tour) Yes
Run Once -
Users Add User David with Admin
access and no password
Autologon David
Owner and Network ID Full Name David Brand
Organisation 7 Huon … ACT 2606
Regional various Customise
Network Settings
Desktop Themes
Automatic Updates
Display
Components

Press Next.
23. Options:
a. Under here I could change the default Windows and Profile paths – I didn’t bother.
b. Press Next to skip the Options dialog.
24. Tweaks:
a. General tab: enable “Show Advanced”, then work through each item:

Boot and Shutdown Auto-Kill hung applications immediately

Show Administrator on Welcome Screen Enable
Desktop Desktop Icon size 16
Icons: Internet Explorer Hide
My Computer Show
My Documents Hide
My Network Places Hide
Recycle Bin Show
Show Windows version on Desktop Enable
Wrap icon titles Enable
Explorer Add ‘Command Prompt’ to folder context menu Enable
Change Windows Explorer folder view Details
Classic Control Panel Enable
Disable Beep on Errors Enable
Disable Prefix “Shortcut to” Enable
Display the content of system folders Enable
Show Drive letters in front of Drive Names Enable

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 Show extensions of known file-types Enable
Show hidden files and folders Enable
Show Map Network Drives button in Explorer bar Enable
Show Status bar in all windows Enable
Show the full path in the Address Bar Enable
Show the full path in the Title Bar Enable
Use small icons in Explorer bar Enable
Internet Explorer Enable Google URL Search Enable
Set Homepage to www.google.com -
My Computer Add: Administrative Tools Enable
Control Panel Enable
Control Panel to Context Menu Enable
Device Mgr to Context Menu Enable
Folder Options Enable
My Network Places Enable
Add Printers and Faxes Enable
Registry Editor to Context Menu Enable
Scheduled Tasks Enable
Network -
Performance -
Privacy -
Security -
Start Menu Add Administrative Tools menu Enable
Control Panel: display as a Menu -
My Computer: display as a Link -
My Documents: display as a Link -
Printers and Faxes: display as a Menu -
Disable Highlight newly installed programs Enable
Remove Windows Catalog shortcut Enable
Use small icons in Start Panel Enable
Taskbar Disable Language Bar Enable
Disable Windows Tour popup Enable
Lock the Taskbar Enable
Visual Effects Enable
Windows Media Player Enable

b. Services tab – no changes.

c. Press Next, resulting in the dialog on the
right, then press Yes.

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25. Processing:
a. “Applying changes to installation” commences.
b. Final installation was 466.02MB, reduced by 163.57MB.
c. Press Next.

26. Bootable ISO:

a. Preparation
i. Remove WinXP CD from D:
ii. Insert blank DVD into E:
iii. Copy items in C:\Slipstream\Package (prgs etc) to the working folder
C:\Slipstream\WinXP_SP3
b. Specify settings:
i. Mode: Create Image (options are:
(a) Direct Burn - directly burn files to media without first creating the ISO
first, it will be bootable.
(b) Burn Image – select ISO file to burn on the media.
(c) Create Image – just create bootable ISO.
(d) Erase RW – erase content on the erasable media like CDRW or DVDRW.
ii. WinXP_Lite
iii. Media: DVD-R (Empty)
c. Press “Make ISO”, then specify name and location: C:\Slipstream\WinXP_Lite.iso
d. When finished the Information area should show: “ISO created successfully …”
(1.495GB)
e. Press Next … Finish ? …

Burn
27. Burn image to DVD (eg using DeepBurner).

Wrap-up
28. Delete or move C:\Slipstream.

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