Tell me: Why do people use nLite?

[ramseyedge]

One-time users would be particularly welcome to respond because, one suspects, most of them have done what was needed and moved on.

And WHY are there experts in the product? This CAN'T be about space.

So, my own reasoning is this:

I have a new reason (customer) to care about the longevevty of XP. I rely a lot more now on my old XP machine. I have installed all current updates plus zillions of other products. And in some ways, it's getting a bit flakey about the registry. What am I to do if the hardware dies?

I have a full licensed copy of XP Pro.

1) Should I plan to create a new installation disk from my existing system or should I plan to install from the original disk, install all updates and THEN create the new disk?

2) I see that there are a large number of add-ons, including the dot-net framework. It appears that without some special configuration nothing but the OS will be on the new disk. (Not really a surprise, is it?) Since there are so many add-ons, why / how are people using them.

3) What happens in the registry? Is it stripped back to the original entries?

4) I have a bizillion individual updates recorded (for backout) in the windows directory. Presumably these are no longer required and go away?

5) When I install from the new disk, assuming it's right away, is there anything that must be downloaded? I.E. will it be fully functional on a stand-alone machine?

Thank you for your information.

I sincerely hope this will be of some value to others as well.

[Ponch]

From 2) I can guess you haven't tried anything yet. Try the program, make your new install disc (ISO is enough), install Virtualbox, (need 2 Gig space on your HDD and minimum 512MB RAM) run your virtual install in it, see the result and if it suits you. Maybe do some research before asking about ...almost everything.

[submix8c]

1 - Doesn't matter

2a - Add-ons are your option, just like dotNet/Support/ValueAdd folders on original CD (not automatically installed)

2b - Driver Packs for "generic" installs, or just put your own specific in during nLite

3 - When reinstalling, you usually do this Unattended from an empty HDD so...

4 - Updates "slipped" into nLite become part of the install, no uninstall options, no HDD space used

5 - If you get all of the latest updates and "slip" them into nLite, DONE as-of the latest update

* - Do as Ponch says as a "test scenario"

* - Come back after you've tried it with more specific questions

* - No magic, just smart integration. nLite will "strip" items but I wouldn't as a first-time "customer"

Edited February 10, 2011 by submix8c