how do I create ISO of desktop???

[GooseTickler]

this may sound silly, but i'd like to create an image of my whole desktop as it is now i.e. so next time i install windows on a computer it will have ALL the programs i want pre-installed. instead of installing a fresh copy of windows and installing other programs one at a time.

i've heard norton ghost can do this. has anyone ever used it before?

thanks in advance :D

[Neo]

You can't do that with programs since you'll need the registry keys, and all the .dll .sys and etc.. Files that are installed in the windows directory and subfolders. Norton Ghost Creates an image of your entire system, including windows.

[Van Nugent]

Yep, the best way is to use Ghost to create an image of your system after all needed apps are installed. Remember to defrag the HD before running Ghost.

[ken]

Also there are other programs that will create an image of your hard drive such as Microsoft Digital Image, Acronis True Image and Novastor Backup, Can't say which is best but heard Acronis True Image is very good.

[GooseTickler]

does anyone know how big the image will be? if i have a large number of programs installed as well as windows. will i require a DVD image?
also can i use this disk for a clean install of windows (including programs?)

thnks

[Van Nugent]

Ghost will span the image on several CD's or you can burn it on 1 DVD.

[kyle5077]

does anyone know how big the image will be? if i have a large number of programs installed as well as windows. will i require a DVD image?
also can i use this disk for a clean install of windows (including programs?)

thnks
How ever big the hdd is :)

[Virgin San]

also can i use this disk for a clean install of windows (including programs?)

thnks
With something like ghost you collect everything, creating an "image", and you copy this image onto another HD (or whatever). This is absolutely not the same as installing. You will just be copying your old install of windows, all the drivers, all the programs, all the registry entries, all the virus', all the bad files - everything.

So, for example, if you are intending to put this image onto the HD of another machine, you will have problems.

If you want to install windows, you need to get a windows disk and ... install windows. Its not simply a case of copying, each installation is different. Frankly, unless you are really good with computers, you can end up making more work for yourself by trying to take shortcuts.

Perhaps you could tell us what you are trying to do and why you want to create the image so that we can help you better?