DISM, WIM SIM topics

Can someone please explain the theories behind DISM, ImageX, Sysprep, WISM?

I have read Poulton's book and seen the Prof Messer vids and am still confused.

As I understand it, you use sysprep to take a windows image and generalize it. You then use WISM to create an answer file which answers the questions during installation. You use ImageX to copy that image to a server, and then use DISM to deploy the image from a server onto the client computes?

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alokin123

sysprep - Run this just before capturing your image. Sysprep doesnt capture the image, it "cleans" the operating system and takes it back to a pre-install phase.

I think you mean WSIM (Windows System Image Manager) which is part of the WAIK (Windows Automated Installation Kit). You use WSIM to create your answer file.

Use imagex to capture your sysprep'd install of Windows. Imagex captures to a .wim file. You can then use imagex to apply the image to a pc.

DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) tool includes functionality for mounting and unmounting images (wim files) so you can service them. (i.e. add drivers, enable features) etc...

Perhaps some articles will help. Some of these are step by step so they may make things clearer as to which piece fits in the puzzle:

Windows Imaging Format - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Understanding Windows Imaging - Windows 7 Tutorial
Sysprep a Windows 7 Machine ? Start to Finish V2 - Blog.BrianLeeJackson.com
Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) - WinPE 3.0 Boot Environment. Using WinPE 3.0 Boot environment to deploy and capture images... - The IT Bros
How To Image and Deploy Windows 7 a Complete Guide - Using sysprep and imagex
Sysprep a Windows 7 Machine ? Start to Finish - The IT Bros
http://www.orbitone.com/en/blog/documents/Windows%207%20Deployment.pdf