Templates (Golden Image Creation)

Overview

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

Prerequisites

• Access to the Softdrive Dashboard (Softnet).
• Method 1 (Upload OS image): You must have a Softdrive administrator account to submit the image.
• Method 2 (Save a machine as template):
  • Signed in as a Local Administrator on the Softdrive machine.
  • Back up any important data stored on the machine.
  • Windows is fully updated.
  • The computer is not previously joined to a Domain, Intune, or Azure AD.
  • All required applications installed before starting.
• If applicable, confirm required drivers/tools are installed:
  •  Virtio-win-guest-tools  (see  Install Drivers and Guest Agent )
  • Confirm BitLocker is disabled before creating the image/template (see  Disable BitLocker )

Index

1. Method 1: Upload OS Images
2. Method 2: Prepare a Softdrive machine and save it as a template
3. Additional Notes

Content

Method 1: Upload OS Images

Log in to the Softdrive Dashboard

• Go to: https://softnet.softdrive.co/
• Log in with administrator or user credentials.

Navigate to Templates

• Click More, then select Templates.
• Select Create in the top-right corner.

Fill out the Template form

• Complete the form based on your requirements.
• Attach the image file in .qcow2 or .vmdk format.

Click Create Template

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

Contact Support

If you have any trouble, contact support@softdrive.co.

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

Ensure that all required programs are installed and all necessary settings are applied before beginning.

Disable BitLocker

• Open an elevated PowerShell or CMDand run:

  manage-bde -status

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

  manage-bde -off C:

• Wait until full decryption completes.Check progress with:

  manage-bde -status

  Do not run Sysprep until decryption is 100% complete.

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.

Remove provisioned Appx package

Appx packages can block Sysprep if they exist for a user but are 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 }

Retry Sysprep afterward.

Run Sysprep

Run:

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

In the Sysprep window, choose:

• System Cleanup Action: Enter system Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE)
• Generalize: Removes unique system-specific info (like SIDs)
• Shutdown Options: Shuts down the system after preparation (important)

After this point the PC will shut down.

Set the machine as a template

• Go to the Softnet Dashboard.
• Navigate to Computers and find the machine that was sysprepped.

• Click the computer and select "Save as Template".

This will notify Softdrive to complete the template creation process. Please do not turn the PC on until you receive a confirmation email from support@softdrive.co.

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.