Dashboard - Templates

This guide outlines two methods for creating templates in Softdrive, which can streamline virtual machine deployment:

1. Method 1: Upload OS Images

   • Pre-Requisites

   • Step-by-Step Instructions

2. Method 2: Prepare a Softdrive Machine and save it as a template

   • Pre-Requisites

   • Step-by-Step Instructions.

Method 1: Upload OS Images

Pre-Requisites [Steps required before uploading image]

• Confirm Virtio-win-guest-tools is installed in your programs list. If not please check Install Drivers and Guest Agent.

• Confirm bitlocker is disabled at the time image is created. If its not check this link to disable bitlocker

• Confirm machine has been sysprepped 

• Must have a Softdrive administrator account in order to submit the image in the dashboard.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Log in to the Softdrive Dashboard

• Go to: https://dashboard.softdrive.co/

• Log in with administrator or user credentials.

2. Navigate to Templates

• Click the Templates tab.

• Select the “+” (plus) button on the top right.

3. Fill Out the Template Form

• Complete the form based on your requirements.

• Attach the image file in .qcow2 or .vmdk format.
  

4. Submit and Await Confirmation

• Click Send.

• You will receive an email within 24 hours confirming the upload is processed.

Method 2: Prepare a Softdrive Machine and save it as a template

Pre-Requisites

• Must be signed in as a Local Administrator in the softdrive machine.

• Backup important data if there is any saved data.

• Ensure Windows is fully updated.

• The computer should not be previously joined to a Domain, Intune, or Azure AD.

• Install all required applications prior to proceeding.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Disable BitLocker

• Open an elevated PowerShell or CMD and run:

  manage-bde -status
  

•   If you see BitLocker is ON for C:, turn it off:

  manage-bde -off C:
  

• Wait until full decryption completes.
  You can check the progress with:

  
  manage-bde -status
  

  Do not attempt sysprep until decryption is 100% complete. Picture below shows the "manage-bde -status" result showing disc is fully decrypted. 

Step 2: Clean Up the System (Optional but Recommended)

• Open Command Prompt and run:

cleanmgr /sagerun:1

• Remove unused user accounts and files.

• Optionally, run third-party cleanup utilities.

Step 3: Remove Provisioned Appx Package 

Appx package usually blocks the sysprep process because it exists for a user, but not provisioned system-wide.

Run this in PowerShell as Administrator:

# Remove from current user: 
Get-AppxPackage -Name Microsoft.WidgetsPlatformRuntime | Remove-AppxPackage -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
 
# Remove provisioned copy (if any):
 Get-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online | Where-Object {$_.DisplayName -like "*Microsoft.WidgetsPlatformRuntime*"} | ForEach-Object {    Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName $_.PackageName }

Repeat sysprep afterward.

Step 4: Run Sysprep

To generalize and prepare for OOBE, execute in Command Prompt:

C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\sysprep.exe 

This window will open and choose these settings:

Explanation:

• System clean up action: Enter system Out-of-Box Experience OOBE

• Generalize: Removes unique system-specific info (like SIDs)

• Shutdown options: Shuts down the system after preparation. This step is very important. 

Step 5: Set the Machine as a Template.

• Go to Softdrive Dashboard

• Navigate to Computers, find the machine that was Syspreped.

• Click on it and select "Set as Template".

Step 6: First Boot After Sysprep

• On next boot, Windows will show the OOBE setup screen.

• Proceed manually, or it will auto-enroll if Autopilot is configured.

Additional Notes

• Make sure to encrypt the machine once it has been templated. So it can be used.