sorry, i have to ask again. i now hit APPLY and chose the REBUILD method. after some time it was done and the final image is still 4.3 something gigabyte. i installed it in vmware and nothing has changed from the original dvd, e.g. the sidebar is still there, etc. the dvd i am using is Vista_RTM_AIO_DVD-WinBeta.iso and i have selected the Vista HOMEBASIC (x64) version. (see screenshot). during install, this selection window pops up again and i again select the Vista HOMEBASIC (x64) version. all other versions are still in the list (???). after install, it displays the selected version at startup correctly, but as i said, i don't see any of changes i made in vlite. my own fault again? or an error in vlite? another note: for simplicity, it would e.g. be nice to select the windows editions i'd like to remove, so i check "business", "ultimate" etc.. and click a "remove" button and they are gone. this IMHO would be an easier and better way than the current "select edition - make changes - hit APPLY" approach. just an idea :=) update: i have tried the whole process again and checked the intermediate directory before creating a new iso. in the folder "sources" there is now only the "x64" folder and the other one (x86?) seems to be removed. so that part is working OK. the installer still shows the "select your vista edition" screen, though. will now try the vmware installation again... :=)