Custom OS Template for Windows
Organisation administrators can create a tailored OS template to instantly spin up remote desktops. This approach also lets you activate your own licence on the operating system.
Follow these steps precisely to build a workable image. Exercise caution as you go.
Important:
About Disk Partition
1. The custom template needs only a single disk partition, or two at most: one EFI/boot partition and another for system and data.
2. LVM partitions aren’t supported – please avoid them.
3. An incorrect partition layout will break automatic disk resizing and machine naming.
Windows
1. Install "Red Hat VirtIO SCSI pass-through controller
When you see “Where do you want to install Windows?”, click Load drivers, then select the matching driver. The storage drive will appear afterwards.
2. Initial Setup
On the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen, click I don't have internet.
When you reach “There’s more to discover...”, choose Continue with limited setup.
Enter any username and leave the password blank.
3. Install Virtio-win drivers and guest agents
After the machine boots and you’re logged in, open CD Drive E and launch Virtio-win-guest-tools. This installs virtio drivers as well as spice vdagent and qemu guest agent. Simply click Next and OK to finish.
4. Disable Hibernate
Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator, then type “powercfg.exe /hibernate off” and hit Enter.
5. Enable Shutdown/Restart Windows 10 without Any Prompts
In Registry Editor, go to HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop.
Create a new String Value called AutoEndTasks and set its data to 1.
6. Check if the required service exists and set to "Automatic Start"
- Spice-Vdagent : for support of qemu vnc clipboard
- BalloonSerivce: for guest memory usage stats
7. Install and configure Tightvnc to allow proper VNC connection
Head to https://www.tightvnc.com/download.php to get the TightVNC Windows installer.
Run the installer and turn off authentication when setup completes.
Launch the TightVNC service configuration tool and adjust the settings.
8. Enable Shared-drive
Shared-drive lets cloud desktops swap files during training or between your own PC and the cloud desktop. It relies on WebDAV technology. You must map the drive before using it—check the screenshot for guidance.
9. Shutdown your Windows properly
Click the Windows icon in the bottom‑left corner, then Power, then Shutdown.
Please Note
To add extra optional features such as
- DDWebdav to sync trainer content folders to every participant’s machine,
- or DDUpload – for effortless file uploads within a DaDesktop environment;
Please contact DaDesktop Tech Support.