Custom Windows OS Template
As an organization administrator, you can build a custom OS template to deploy remote desktops. This also lets you activate your own license on the operating system.
Follow these steps carefully to build the image successfully.
Important:
About Disk Partition
1. The custom template needs just a single disk partition, or two at most: an EFI/Boot partition and a separate system/data partition.
2. Avoid LVM partitions, as they are not supported.
3. Using an incorrect partition layout will break disk auto-resize and machine naming functionality.
Windows
1. Install "Red Hat VirtIO SCSI pass-through controller
During installation, when prompted with 'Where do you want to install Windows?', click 'Load drivers' and select the appropriate driver. You'll then be able to see the storage drive.
2. Initial Setup
When asked 'Let's connect you to a network,' choose I don't have internet
Then, when you see 'There's more to discover...,' select Continue with limited setup
Pick any username, but leave the password field empty.
3. Install Virtio-win drivers and guest agents
After the machine has started and you're logged in, head to CD Drive E and run Virtio-win-guest-tools. This installer will add the virtio drivers, spice vdagent and qemu guest agent. Simply click next and OK to complete the setup.
4. Disable Hibernate
Launch Command Prompt as administrator by right-clicking and selecting 'Run as administrator'. Then type 'powercfg.exe /hibernate off' and press Enter.
5. Enable Shutdown/Restart Windows 10 without Any Prompts
Open the Registry Editor and go to the following key HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop.
Create a new String Value called AutoEndTasks and set its value to 1.
6. Check if the required service exists and set to "Automatic Start"
- Spice-Vdagent : for support of qemu vnc clipboard
- BalloonSerivce: for guest memory usage stats
7. Install and configure Tightvnc to allow proper VNC connection
Visit https://www.tightvnc.com/download.php and download the TightVNC installer for Windows.
Run the installer and, when it finishes, turn off authentication.
Launch the TightVNC service configuration tool and set it up.
8. Enable Shared-drive
The shared-drive feature lets you share files between cloud desktops during a training course, or between your local PC and the cloud desktop. It relies on WebDAV technology, and you'll need to map the drive before using it. Check the screenshot below for instructions.
9. Shutdown your Windows properly
Click the Windows icon in the bottom left corner, then select Power > Shutdown.
Please Note
If you'd like to add extra optional features, like
- DDWebdav for synchronising the trainer's content folders to each participant's machine,
- DDUpload for easy file uploads directly inside a DaDesktop machine;
Reach out to DaDesktop Tech Support for assistance.