6 Comments

Recreate an optimized install of Windows Vista

June 15, 2007 by in Tech with 6 Comments

Late last evening I was forced to reinstall Windows Vista Ultimate in order to debug some work. Doing so would require that my MacBook would serve double duty with OS X and Vista [via Parallels]. Due to the fact that the MacBook is limited to 2GB of memory, I knew that Vista via Parallels would seriously tax system resources.

Fortunately, discovered a handy tool known as vLite which provides Windows Vista users with the necessary tools to customize a new install – disabling unnecessary system services, drivers, and "bloat". The resulting ISO can be re-burned to disk and re-installed.

Try it out for yourself and report back with your own results. I’ve stripped down Vista to the point where I wouldn’t mind running the OS on a regular basis.


  • http://dstaley.tumblr.com dstaley

    I’m not so sure about this. My Vista DVD is pretty much unattended, as it is an OEM DVD. Derek, if you do go through with this, report back here so us more cautious types will know it works.

  • http://www.donawilson.com Don Wilson

    Why not just bootcamp it?

  • Alan Rager

    Don, Bootcamp only works with XP for now.

  • http://www.infectedproject.com/ Andrew

    @ Alan Rager

    Bootcamp supports Windows Vista. Even though I would not touch it. Yuk! ;-)

    via apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/

  • PJ

    Yeah, I wouldn’t mind knowing if it ruins OEM too. I’m using it in bootcamp, but I’m sure any simplifying on the OS would speed up other programs I use.

  • t d

    vLite is safe… I used to use the xp version called nLite… just don’t keep repetitively using it over and over on the same source, try to do everything at once.

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