Cloning a new Win10 and Office2016 install to quickly prepare 3 new desktops

[b4u]

Hi,

I would like to get some opinions on the best way to clone new windows 10 pro machine into another computers.

I've bought 3 desktop computers, in parts. They already arrived, and I'll be assembling them this week.

The desktops will have exactly the same components, with the following software:
- Windows 10 Professional;
- Office 2016 Home and Business.

The desktops will have an SSD (Kingston HyperX Savage 240Gb), and no DVD drive.

I'm trying to figure out the best way to install the software, I was hopping to install all in one desktop, then clone the SSD to the other desktops (at the same time keeping the image just in case an emergency restore is needed).

In the past I did this in a Windows XP network, where I just installed everything, then sysprep the system and did the cloning. On startup, I would insert the valid keys for windows and office, and everything was running.

Now with Windows 10, I found several ways of doing it on the web, from having a Windows Server to host the images, up to entering Audit mode and preparing everything.

I don't have a server to do that (the server that will be available doesn't have the requirements), and I think it's way too complicated for a small network of 4 computers and a 1 server.

So I was thinking:
1. Start the computer without network access;
2. Install from official microsoft windows 10 ISO (downloaded and put into USB pen);
3. Don't insert windows key license;
4. Install Office, again don't insert it's key;
5. Could I connect to internet for windows and office updates, without ruining the future activation?
6. Prepare the look and feel;
7. Shutdown and clone.
8. Restore on other desktops, connect to internet and activate each one individually.

Would this do the trick?

Note: All software is legit and provided in DVD. Computers will not have DVD, so I will install the software via USB.

Seems simple, but I don't know if anything in the activation process will ruin this process. Also I'm cloning from SSD using Macrium Reflect, will it have any issue with SSD and Windows 10 (I believe not, but never tried it)?


Thanks.

 

[JackMDS]

You can actuality do a Direct clones of the two additional SSD/HD, there is No need for Sysperp or pr-inserts of Keys.

Win 10 and Office 2016 will adjust easily to the other computers (especially with similar hardware) and should do well.

The Win 10 copy would be functional but not be activated (Internet and Browsers would be functional as well). Office will start but would Not be useable.

At this point you will have to supply a fresh keys to the OS and Office and do online Activation.


😎

 

[b4u]

You can actuality do a Direct clones of the two additional SSD/HD, there is No need for Sysperp or pr-inserts of Keys.

Win 10 and Office 2016 will adjust easily to the other computers (especially with similar hardware) and should do well.

The Win 10 copy would be functional but not be activated (Internet and Browsers would be functional as well). Office will start but would Not be useable.

At this point you will have to supply a fresh keys to the OS and Office and do online Activation.


😎

So I could connect the first desktop to the internet and, without activating it, install all available windows updates, and then shutdown and make a direct clone to the other SSDs?

Then after cloning, I would insert all keys and do their activations on each desktop, the updates would already be done (or most of them, at least).

Thanks

 

[Ketchup]

If you connect Windows 10 to the Internet, either:
a. it will activate, or
b. it won't activate because:
1. It needs the key from whatever store you bought it from to be entered, or
2. It is being installed on a different computer from what it was activated on, and will direct you to the Store where you can buy a key.

So as long as you a playing amongst the same versions of 10, you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[b4u]

If you connect Windows 10 to the Internet, either:
a. it will activate, or
b. it won't activate because:
1. It needs the key from whatever store you bought it from to be entered, or
2. It is being installed on a different computer from what it was activated on, and will direct you to the Store where you can buy a key.

So as long as you a playing amongst the same versions of 10, you shouldn't have a problem.

Ok, so it is safer to just do everything offline on the first computer, then clone, and only after that, connect each computer to the internet to activate.

I'm dealing with the same hardware and same versions of windows and office. Both software will be downloaded (ISO from microsoft site, office too, since the boxes contain no media, just keys), and installed from usb, since computers don't have DVD drive.