Slipstreaming is a process that embeds all necessary service packs and hotfixes onto a customized bootable Windows CD that also contains the original and complete installation files, drastically reducing the time it takes to install an operating system. The process can be done using the freeware slipstreaming application, nLite by Dino Nuhagic.
If you’ve ever had to reinstall a Windows operating system (OS) you probably know how time consuming it can be. Once your operating system is installed, you typically need to go to the Microsoft website to update your installation by downloading any required service packs (SPs) or security hotfixes. This is quite boring for an end user, never mind for network engineers. Slipstreaming solves this problem and drastically reduces the time it takes to install an operating system and get it up and running.
Slipstreaming is a process that embeds all necessary service packs and hotfixes onto a customized bootable Windows CD that also contains the original and complete installation files. Use the slipstream CD to install Windows and your operating system will be fully updated and ready to use, saving you a lot of time. You can even slipstream the drivers into the CD.
To prepare for slipstreaming, you need a genuine Windows CD. All files from the CD must be copied to a folder on your computer’s hard drive, such as C:XP Files. If the CD does not include the latest service pack, it can be downloaded as a file from the Microsoft website. You also need to download any applicable hotfixes or patches, along with any necessary device drivers that may not be on your original Windows CD. These files can be saved in a separate folder as C:XP Updates.
The slipstreaming process will combine the contents of these two folders into a single ISO image (.iso). The ISO format can be burned to CD to create a new bootable disk that contains all the original files plus updates. One of the most popular ways to do this is to use the freeware slipstreaming application, nLite by Dino Nuhagic.
nLite is an excellent slipstreaming program that allows the user to point and click during the disc creation process. The program can create an ISO image or burn slipstream files directly to CD. Furthermore nLite offers a wide range of tweaking options. For example, the ability to include theme files, set the default theme, set folder options, desktop options, resolution, and countless other preferences. The operating system installs with preferences pre-enabled, eliminating the need to change the desktop after installation.
While it can take some time to gather hotfixes and other desired files to create a slipstream CD, it can be worth the effort, particularly for network administrators. Microsoft incorporated slipstreaming capability into Windows 2000, 2003, XP and Vista operating systems.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
