vLite 1.1.5 beta

Some new removals, important language integration fix and finally a universal preset format.
Older version non-English saved presets will not load.

vLite 1.1.1

Here is the quick fix for the specific issue regarding SP1 MS preintegrated installation modification when running vLite from Windows XP. Some users reported a Registry Load error popup at the last vLite step in that scenario.

If you are running vLite from Windows Vista then this update isn't crucial but still recommended.
Thank you for the prompt reaction before the preintegrated SP1 goes public.

Service Pack compatibility (updated)

Moved to a static page for the future reference: Service pack info.

vLite 1.1 Final

Polished and updated. Added a few components even though I shouldn't in the RC stage but I already forgave myself.
The image will be smaller again, this time because of the boot.wim cleanups.

Also be careful with the Storage Controller removals, if you remove the driver for your particular hard disk controller it will not be able to see the drives on the bootup. But as a precaution, or even a better alternative, put a new hard disk controller driver in the subfolder inside the folder from which the ISO will be made and then you can even remove all the drivers and provide it with that folder once it asks for a driver on first boot.
You can also use an USB flash for that just in case it doesn't see the DVD drive from which it booted from, if such thing is even possible any more, saw it in the early VMWare versions. I noticed that my ICH9R controller is loaded even if I remove the Intel driver, probably because my SATA is set in BIOS to IDE mode.
Driver integration still does not support the textmode drivers, the ones like these hard disk controllers for bootup. Waited to remove them first, well since that happened next thing in todo is textmode driver integration, at least folder copy to the ISO for manual load if the full integration is not possible without the MS tools.

vLite 1.1 RC

Another big update, many new components, some tweaks, few fixes and optimizations.

There is now a useful option called 4GB fix, basically it can be used to force KB929777 to apply during installation so you do not have to unplug your memory sticks. This is optional because some people do not have this issue, checkbox will appear in the Hotfix integration page if the hotfix is detected or you run vlite with the '-4gbfix' switch. Confirmed working on 32bit Vista.

Also there is a switch to enable extreme components ('-extreme'), only one currently present is Component Cache (winsxs). It is not recommended to use that unless you really understand what are the consequences.
In the future there will probably be more components tagged as extreme which I would never usually add or they can be removed in certain scenarios.

Ok so have fun with this one and happy holidays.

Setup locks at Completing Installation

A user came ranting about this issue and did it in such manner that he got banned before I could even respond.
So let me explain it here. Thing is this can happen only if you use illegal pre-activated Vista installation. Few users reported this so it is confirmed. Basically it is not my fault and if you have legal (untampered) Vista version it will work just fine.

Update: got the word that the legal Dell pre-activated versions (the same method those illegal ones are using) is hanging there as well, checking it out.

vLite 1.1 beta 2

Here you go, new removals, important fixes, better compatibility...no you are not getting a free set of knives. Full list of changes here as usual.

Reboot on browse

Some of you experienced that on browse to the image and selecting proper OS inside it your machine reboots. To "solve" it you will have to uninstall any antivirus or even in some case firewalls which have process protection.
As I already said on the forums that is not my mistake, it is a Windows NTFS bug.
Why is there such a long delay for a fix I do not know but in the meantime please report to all your affected anti-virus and firewall software developers to apply this workaround:

Crash while calling FltIsDirectory
This is a bug in FltIsDirectory. System Image Manager uses wimfltr.sys to overlay the contents of a wim on top of ntfs, and wimfltr takes ownership of any file objects in that overlay and uses its own format for the structures in the FsContext1 and FsContext2 fields.
The bug occurs when you call FltIsDirectory on a file that wimfltr.sys owns. Instead of sending the IRP for this function to all the filters in the device stack, filter manager sends the IRP directly down to NTFS. NTFS doesn't know how to deal with wimfltr's custom FsContext fields, and crashes.
Until a fix for this issue is available, you should avoid calling FltIsDirectory on file objects exposed by wimfltr. These files have NodeTypeCode == 0x1029 in their FSRTL_ADVANCED_FCB_HEADER.

Taken from here.

vLite 1.1 beta

Hotfix and Language Pack integration support, KB938979 fix and more removals.

Another big upgrade, little rushed because of that important fix but it has been tested and proven stable.
Enjoy and report any bugs or annoyanced found.
Thank you for your support.

Full list of changes.

KB938979 fix

Even though this issue doesn't seem to be only because of vLite here is the fix for us.
Apply the reg file from the appropriate zip file and that's it.

Vista Ultimate 32-bit, 64-bit.

Maybe it helps for all the Vista versions, backup your reg key changed with this file.
(HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\ Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\FolderDescriptions)

KB938979 issue (updated)

Just wanted to warn you not to install the newly leaked performance patch KB938979 if you removed components certain components with vLite.
Doing so might cause your system not to be able to rename folders and similar issues.

Components removed which cause this problem are:
Game Explorer
Printer Support
Sidebar
Media Samples
Windows Search
Sync Center

You can remove all other and the KB938979 will work just fine.
Fixed in the next version, out probably on monday, got to finish some other things as well.

vLite 1.0 Final

Humbly but proudly presenting the first final version (sound of geeks uniting in celebration).

Polished, tested and ready for future feature injections.

Changes.

That might be even sooner than expected. Since Service Pack 1 beta for Vista was unofficially unnounced for this week I'll do my best to support the slipstream as soon as possible.

vLite 1.0 RC

With a few important fixes it reached a very stable ground. I wish more could have been removed in this one but the emphasis was on the fixes and getting to that final ASAP. Actually I'm writing this from a 64-bit Vista vLited to the bone with this version.
Lets wrap this one up as I am eager to continue.

What's new.

Note

Just to let you know of a confirmed bug that came up. Until the new version is ready please keep the Windows Media Player if you use Digital Camera, PDA or a similar device.
Thank you for your support.

vLite 1.0 beta

Unattended support, Internet Explorer and Windows Firewall removal, Longhorn Server support...sounds like a dream? Lets test this one before waking up.

For now there are only basic Unattended options but eventually majority of the important ones will be added during future updates.

Full list of changes.

vLite 0.95 beta

More removals and a few interesting features. If all goes well then the next one will be the last beta with few more things which I would like to finish up before locking features for the final 1.0.
So for now enjoy this one, it is moving quite well if I may say so.

List of changes.

vLite 0.9 beta

Here is the update with another big step, the driver integration.
It supports even the unsigned drivers but you do get that annoying allow popup (if someone knows how to silence it without hacking let me know).

Added the Compatibility options, there are only couple of applications listed so far but with more removable components and your reports it will be filled in no time.

These and other changes are listed here.

vLite 0.8 beta

Joy and happiness...Vista on a single CD!
Talking about the 32-bit version.
Depending on the OS image used it can go down to about 650MB ISO, while the Ultimate version is around 675MB, with all removed. On top of that with all removed you still have almost all the functionalities of a full XP.

Looked at some stats and it turns out that when a 1GB machine is used with the Vista Lite, vLite can save you up to a 600MB ! of free space in the RAM memory compared to a full version. I find that amazing, and the general usage is much faster even on my Core 2 Duo. Not to mention the 5GB smaller install.

Check out the changes and have fun.

vLite 0.7 beta

Finally managed to adapt it for all language versions, check for the other changes here.
Size is also reduced, now the minimum ISO is very close to a CD size.
Have fun if you are diagnosed with a mild beta fetish.

Multilanguage support

Few days ago it was confirmed that the present vLite version only fully supports English versions. While I'm trying to adapt it here is the list of the components which can be removed on all language versions so far:

Display adapters, Ethernet network adapters, Modems, Printers, Scanners, Sound controllers, Inbox Games, Premium Inbox Games, Fax Support, Smartcards, Windows Image Acquisition, Japanese, Korean, Movie and DVD Maker, Screensavers, Shell event sounds, Wallpapers, Windows Calendar, Windows Media Samples, Windows Photo Gallery, Windows Mail, Microsoft DFS Replication, Windows Remote Management, Windows Search, Accessibility, Disk Defragmenter, Microsoft Agent, Security Center, System Restore, Welcome Center, Windows SAT, Zip Folder.

Note: Tested only on Chinese Vista.

vLite 0.6 beta

Here it is, big internal update to include x64 versions and several fixes. It is quite stable now, thus named it beta.
Now we also have a forum so you can report any issues or suggestions.

Check out the changes in the changelog.

Containment breach

Hm, I see some of you released it on the portals anyway, not good at this stage, please don't rate it just yet, it's not even beta. But regardless I'm glad that the response was that positive, thank you for the support.

Here is some feedback regarding your reports from the release to clear up some misuse until the GUI is updated:

• Supported Vista version is minimum Build 5744 (RC2) and newer, RTM build 6000 recommended and it will be only one supported from the next version, you can run it on older on your own risk. Only 32bit for now, working on the 64bit adaption, shouldn't take long.
• Copy the DVD content into some clean folder before using the tool on it, don't browse directly to the DVD
• When you get the message that Filter MANAGER is missing, the Windows CD it refers to is XP (or 2003) full CD (this is only relevant if you removed Filter Manager with nLite, if not then just reboot if it did mount before at least once)

New project

Welcome to my new site dedicated to the automated pre-install Windows Vista configuration.

New tool is called vLite, short for Vista Lite, and it's available now on the download page.
It's still early in development and if you don't test it first then maybe it's best to wait a final version.

Spread the word and don't release these test versions on any portal or magazine.