How to Add an Image to the Automation Folder
Article ID: 388888
Updated On: 02-28-2025
Products
Issue/Introduction
You have a slow connection and use Automation Folders to boot systems into Winpe. Is there a method to deploy an image directly on the endpoint without deploying it over the network?
Environment
Deployment Solution
Resolution
Instructions to add image file(s) to Automation Folder:
- Deploy the automation folder to an endpoint
- Copy the boot.wim file to your computer c:\boot\altiris\iso\sources\boot.wim
- When you are using a Windows computer then it has already a built-in DISM command:
- Thus just take the boot.wim and mount it. Example: Dism /Mount-Image /ImageFile: C:\path\to\bootwim\boot.wim /MountDir:C:\test\offline
- Locate and copy the Ghost image files to a directory in the Mount Directory, best if you create a new one. (You will pretty much see the root of X drive after you have mounted)
- Then commit the changes and unmount the WIM: Dism /Unmount-Image /MountDir: C:\test\offline /Commit
- That is all that needs to be done on the boot.wim
- Use the copy file task in the SMP to deploy the boot.wim back on to the endpoint. file location c:\boot\altiris\iso\sources\boot.wim
-
When it comes to imaging have the endpoint boot to the automation folder then run a script task to call ghost and deploy the image ( do not use imaging task )
Example command to image the endpoint
x:\imaging\ghost\x64\ghost64.exe -sure -clone,MODE=restore,DST=1,SRC=x:\path to image\imagename.gho
Your deploy image job will look like this:
- Boot to automation folder
- Script task with: x:\imaging\ghost\x64\ghost64.exe -sure -clone,MODE=restore,DST=1,SRC=x:\path to image\imagename.gho
- boot to production
NOTE: you will need enough RAM to run the Winpe environment and the image files ( boot.wim file size +10% )
Additional Information
Microsoft DISM command: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/add-and-remove-drivers-to-an-offline-windows-image?view=windows-10
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