PC imaging software

Imaging computers using modern techniques

Computer Imaging is the process of deploying and installing the operating system, applications, drivers, and other settings to the computers that have been newly provisioned, or have a corrupted OS.

Imaging computers on a network using a PC imaging software is crucial for OS deployment. Administrators must image a computer and provide a proper OS to users' computers without disturbing the systems' functionalities.

Laptop imaging, that involves creation of a snapshot of the complete hard drive contents of a system and installation of the snapshot into other systems is a very crucial part of managing the endpoints in a network infrastructure. These laptop images greatly simplify the OS deployment process for multiple systems for IT professionals.

In order to deploy an OS, the admin has to capture an image of the system containing the required OS using a computer imaging software. This imaging process is essentially a way to copy the OS from the master system to distribute it to other target computers. Automating this process is beneficial for the IT team, and ManageEngine OS Deployer does so in a few simple steps.

What does imaging a computer mean?

Computer imaging refers to the process of creating an image of an Operating System from a suitable computer. Once the admin sets up a master computer with the required operating system, they can easily perform imaging using our desktop imaging techniques. OS Deployer, our computer image software supports both online and offline imaging modes to image a computer. Once the imaging the PC is complete, the images can be stored in the configured image repository, a network share, where they can be used for deployment when needed. These images created by our computer imaging software can either be deployed on a new bare metal computer or a computer with a corrupted OS.

Computer Imaging: Traditional vs. Cloud Based

While imaging a computer, it is important to understand how traditional and cloud-based methods can impact the contents of the system. Traditional computer imaging refers to the process of deploying images to the computers from a golden image, i.e. a templatized image served to multiple computers in the network.

On the other hand, in cloud-based computer imaging, the vendor, i.e. the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) directly ships the systems to the users. Once the users log in, the operating systems, applications, settings, and other files are directly downloaded to them.

The benefit of imaging computers via the traditional method is that it offers more control and security. Enterprises can configure the necessary files and settings to be imaged in the systems. On the contrary, in cloud-based imaging, the enterprise doesn't initially have this level of control, since the image is shipped by the OEM. In certain cases, the images contain bloatware that can prove to be counter-productive.

Computer imaging solutions such as OS Deployer offer admins the added advantage of securing the systems along with flexibility in image creation and deployment.

Benefits of PC Imaging

PC Imaging is the process of deploying pre-configured applications, operating systems, and settings to multiple computers in an enterprise. While this might be a business overhead if done manually, PC imaging software can greatly reduce the workload, thereby streamlining the process.

Here are some of the benefits of imaging computers with PC imaging software:

  1. Increased security: Computer imaging systems provide admins with the flexibility of choosing the required operating system, applications, and settings. This ensures that the systems are pre-loaded with enterprise-recommended applications and not bloatware or other unnecessary applications.
  2. Improved productivity: Deploying operating systems and related applications to multiple computers in the enterprise manually can be a daunting task. Additionally, re-imaging computers infected by viruses manually can contribute to significant business overhead, based on the department the system is used in. This is where computer imaging solutions act as a lifesaver. A single dashboard allows the admins to deploy templatized OS images to multiple systems simultaneously, thereby limiting manual workload and effort.
  3. Compliant systems: When it comes to compliance standards, it is mandatory to have standardized policies across the enterprise. Deploying computer images streamlines the standardization process by adhering to the base template, that has been curated by the admins. This ensures that all newly provisioned computers are automatically compliant with the required software and settings configured.

Types of computer imaging

Online imaging:

This method allows administrators to capture the image of a system when it is live and functioning in the network. This method doesn't require a system reboot to perform imaging, and the user on the system can continue to work without suspending any operations.

Offline imaging:

Administrators can use our computer image software to image a system which is not functioning in the network; that is, when the system is shut down. Over here, the system is booted into the Windows pre-installation environment, and imaging is performed using the WinPE component. OS Deployers allows this WinPE component to be stored within a media which can be USB, ISO, or PXE.

Key features of computer imaging software

PC imaging software - ManageEngine OS Deployer

Image computers using disk partitions

OS Deployer allows imaging computers with only a single partition, multiple partitions, or an entire disk based on the organizational needs. This feature can also be used to create a backup of a computer in case of a migration or system corruption.

Shrink partitions during PC imaging

OS Deployer allows shrinking the disk partitions to minimize the space occupied by the primary partitions and logical drivers. This also helps users to avoid the disk size incompatibility errors.

Compression level adjustment

You can adjust the image compression level according to your requirements, thereby minimizing the size of the image and optimizing the image storage space.

Customized memory usage

You can customize the memory usage level during the PC imaging process. This ensures optimal memory usage based on the requirements of the organization.

Automated driver collection while imaging computers

During the process of imaging computers, the drivers are automatically collected from the computer that is imaged.The drivers are then stored in the designated driver repository that is configured in a network share.

How to deploy the images?

Computer imaging solutions such as OS Deployer offer flexible image deployment with customized tasks. These tasks can be configured to be deployed at once (multicast deployment), or to single systems (unicast deployment). Alternatively, the computer image deployment tasks can also be scheduled. To know more about the steps to deploy computer images, refer here.

How to choose the right computer imaging software?

Choosing the right computer imaging software is crucial in provisioning computers across a hybrid set of endpoints. That being said, here are some of the things to keep in mind, before finalizing a computer imaging software:

  • Automation: Automating laptop imaging is a lifesaver for large enterprises. With a hybrid workforce, organizations should always prioritize laptop imaging software that provides a centralized console for managing automated imaging deployment across various systems.
  • Large-scaled deployments: Growing businesses have growing needs. Hence, the number of laptops or computers an enterprise network has is bound to increase exponentially in the future. To cater to the growing needs, IT admins should prioritize software that can handle laptop imaging for multiple systems.
  • Remote Imaging: Managing a distributed workforce can be challenging. Imaging laptops and computers of the workforce should not add to the challenge. Hence, choosing a laptop imaging software with remote imaging capabilities is a must.
  • Compliance and Security: Features and compliance are two sides of the same coin. While it is important to prioritize features, admins must also choose imaging software that is secure and compliant with industry standards.
  • Clear and concise documentation: In addition to technical features and adherence to compliance standards, software must have clear documentation related to product setup, general troubleshooting, and a rapid support team.

What is laptop imaging?

Laptop imaging is the process of creating a complete replica of a laptop or a computer's storage drive, including its operating system, installed applications, configurations, and other data. These laptop images can seamlessly be deployed to multiple laptops, ensuring an efficient setup and rapid recovery in case of system failures.

How does laptop imaging work?

Laptop imaging is a vital and efficient tool for new device provisioning and recovering laptops. Imaging creates a snapshot of a system's storage drive, often referred to as the master system. The compressed image represents a full-disk state and includes its operating system, installed applications, configurations, and other data.

This image is then stored either on a server, external drive, or cloud as a file that can later be deployed to other laptops or multiple laptops. Upon deployment, the new image is then written on the targeted laptops. Once done, the required personalizations such as setting up local accounts can be made.

Modern laptop imaging solutions such as OS Deployer ensure platform accessibility to ensure that the images are compatible without any data loss.

Best Practices for Laptop Imaging

Laptop imaging is essential for the seamless procurement, provisioning, and distribution of laptops in an enterprise network. Here are some of the best practices to follow while imaging laptops using laptop imaging software:

  • The laptop where the image is being installed should be free of any unnecessary data or residual software.
  • The master image should be updated periodically to ensure that the latest version of the operating system, security patches, software, and driver updates are already installed.
  • Before initiating the image creation, it is best to defragment the disks and the image repository drive. This will pull all the sectors of the hard disk together, increasing the disk access, which in turn will in turn lead to faster Image Creation.
  • It is recommended to not connect or disconnect any external devices to the systems while the imaging is in progress. Any addition or removal might hamper the imaging process, in case new registry components are detected.

To know more about the best practices for laptop imaging, refer to this page.

What are the types of laptop imaging?

Laptop imaging can be broadly classified into file-based and sector-based imaging. Here are the details:

File-based Imaging

This method captures the individual files and folders rather than the entire disk structure, thus focusing on the logical content of the system. Its key features are:

  1. Selective Backup that allows users to include or exclude specific files and directories during the imaging process.
  2. Reduced Image Size conserves more disk space since only the files are captured.
  3. Platform Independence makes them versatile since the images are not tied to specific hardware or operating systems.
  4. Faster Restoration without overwriting the entire system and hence ideal for restoring selected files or settings.

Sector-based Imaging

This method captures an exact copy of the disk, including the file system, boot records, and all of the sectors, used or unused. Its key features are:

  1. Complete System Cloning by creating a byte-for-byte replica of the hard drive, including hidden and system files.
  2. Bootable Images that ensure that the image can be directly booted or restored without any additional configurations.
  3. Hardware-specific images, that are created based on the hardware configuration of the source device, unless they are adapted with hardware-independent tools.
  4. Greater Image Sizes since all of the sectors are copied during the imaging process.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a computer image?

A computer image is a file that contains the operating system, user profiles, applications, drivers, settings, files, and folders using a computer imaging solution. This file created by imaging a computer can then be deployed to multiple computers simultaneously.

2. What is computer imaging?

Computer imaging is the process of capturing the OS images of the target computers using a computer imaging system which then can be distributed to other computers in your network.

3. How to image computers on a network?

We can image a computer on a network using our online imaging feature. You can image computers that are online with applications running.

4. How to image machines that are not functioning?

OS Deployer allows imaging a pc that is in standby mode or even comuters that are completely shut down using our offline imaging feature.

5. How many times can I deploy an image to a computer?

OS Deployer works on a device-based licensing model. Once a particular computer is tied up to a license, we can deploy images any number of times to that particular computer.

6. Can I shrink the disk partitions before imaging?

Yes. We can shrink the images if the target disk size is less than the image size.

7. Can I image Windows 10 operating system?

Yes, OS Deployer supports imaging computers that have Windows operating systems ranging from Windows XP to Windows 11. We support imaging computers that have both client-based as well as server-based operating systems.

8. How long does computer imaging take?

The speed of computer imaging depends on various factors such as the size of the image, hardware speed (network speed, SSDs, etc.), and the computer imaging software that is being used. On average, computer imaging can take as little as 10 minutes or as long as a few hours.

9. Is it better to clone or image a laptop?

The choice of cloning or imaging a laptop depends on specific requirements. Via cloning, a system can easily be duplicated and hence all of the data and configurations can be seamlessly transferred to a new device.

On the contrary, with imaging, a single setup, via images can be deployed to multiple devices. This can later be used for updates and maintenance. To conclude, cloning is more convenient for personal use or one-off tasks. For enterprise IT teams that manage multiple devices, imaging is comparatively the better choice.

10. Is Cloning the same as Imaging?

In the context of computer or laptop imaging, cloning, and imaging are related concepts but not the same.

Cloning refers to the creation of an exact, one-to-one copy of the complete hard drive of a system, including the operating system, applications, configured settings, and other data.

Imaging on the other hand creates a compressed file image of a system that is stored and can be deployed to multiple devices. Images, unlike clones, are usually hardware-independent and can be used for deploying to multiple systems or for backup recovery.

11. Can a laptop be imaged remotely?

Yes, a laptop can be imaged remotely using a computer or laptop imaging software such as ManageEngine OS Deployer. Remote imaging laptops in an enterprise network not only facilitate seamless deployment and provisioning of the systems but also act as a boon for IT admins in managing a distributed workforce.

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