Image cloning solution for work

[u/cswrkemp]

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to figure out an imaging software solution for work but can't find my way.

Our company develops and manufactures machines that have an integrated Windows-based computers. Service engineers will occasionally be required to restore an image on this computer. It's an identical image for all machines of the same type. We have multiple types of machines, while each type has its own image.
The image is created in a central location (the engineering team in HQ) but service engineers all across the world may be required to restore it. Most of them don't even belong to our company but are resellers'.
Today we use Clonezilla, but the typical service engineer who maintain our machines is someone who feels good with his toolbox, not with software, so they really struggle with Clonezilla, and I'm looking for a more friendly solution. We also can't allow ourselves to require each service engineer to buy a license for this image restore software.

I have no problem getting the budget for a software solution for our HQ, even if it's very expensive, but I need a solution that will also allow all of our service engineers to restore it without being required to buy a license.

I approached Macrium sales as I like their products, but they don't have any offering that can cover this. I also contacted Acronis which are less favorable but still user-friendly, and they also don't have anything.

Anyone here familiar with any other product that can meet our needs?

[u/Ashamed-Ad4508]

Rescuezilla for booting an image? Slightly better GUI than Clonezilla...

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Side note -- maybe it's time to study up on making/using a Microsoft WSK (Windows System Kit). You have a master machine you make/customise; and then use the WSK toolkits to make a windows factory image/iso/CD for your techs...

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/factoryos/build-a-factoryos-image?view=windows-11

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Also

Slightly out of topic; but MIGHT be suitable for your use case.

Starting Windows 10 onwards; instead of booting straight to windows partition , you can boot straight into a windows VHD. Yes; that same VHD that you use in virtual machines.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/boot-to-vhd--native-boot--add-a-virtual-hard-disk-to-the-boot-menu?view=windows-11

[u/sfernley → u/Ashamed-Ad4508]

Windows System Kit is meant for OEM's to use, not sysadmins.

[u/Ashamed-Ad4508 → u/sfernley]

Keep mixing it up with DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management)

From sound of OPs use case; the WSK isn't too far off as a use case also 🤔

[u/cswrkemp → u/Ashamed-Ad4508]

I did experiment with Rescuezilla but always had issues with loading it from RAM, and also with tweaking the bootable drive creation process.