HELP: Win/BartPE vs sysprep - cloning woes

[Andrew Wan]

What is the difference between Win/BartPE & sysprep? Is WinPE a superset of
sysprep?

I found it very hard to create a customised installation of Windows without
having it creating log, ini, additional files. Even the Administrator, or
user account gets filled up with data files everytime it is used. Does
sysprep remove these files? I don't think so.

All I want is a pre-installed Windows with 3rd-party programs installed but
not used. Also the default C:\Documents & Settings\ folder, with no
ntuser.dat, log etc. files touched. Especially the "My Recent Documents"
after fondling about installing the 3rd-party programs. Will sysprep sort
this out?

I do however want is Windows Explorer setup so that Owner & Attribute
columns are shown, Folder Options - Use Windows classic folders, Show hidden
files & folders, Don't hide extensions... applied to ALL folders. Then a
massive removal of desktop.ini, Thumbs.db, ntuser.ini, Desktop.htt,
Folder.htt, Folder.jpg, AlbumArt*.jpg files. This will make the install
super-clean before cloning.

 

[Andrew Wan]

Also, is there a difference between Windows PE & Windows OPK?

So far I have found OPK download (and it's free for personal use). But I
have not yet found a Windows PE download, not even from our best friend
google.

 

[Tim Judd]

Also, is there a difference between Windows PE & Windows OPK?

So far I have found OPK download (and it's free for personal use). But I
have not yet found a Windows PE download, not even from our best friend
google.

Windows OPK is a suite of tools for a multipack of installs (3-pack,
10-pack, etc). WinPE is part of the OPK. Customization is based on
profiles, so the Explorer customizations cannot be done (AFAIK).
Deleting a profile can be done by booting alternate medium (BartPE) and
deleting the folder. Wouldn't recommend it.

Overall, the "customization" the PC manufacturers do has seriously
surpassed my knowledge on getting the same experience from me doing it.

I'd just customize it for as much as you can, and start from there.