For Windows 7, there are (or were?) several tools to create a customised install DVD. I personally have Windows OEM Preinstallation Kit (OPK) for Windows 7 and WinIntegrator.

Are there any similar tool for Windows 10? I want to strip out all the drivers that I don't need, unnecessary services and features, etc (eg Cortana in the latest updates uses more than one core of my APU, despite being disabled! I managed to fix that, after copious research, but as I don't use any part of Cortana, it is one of many features I want removed prior to my next clean install).

Never mind, I just found WinReducer, which looks OK, and has version for Win 7 and 10. Probably makes it the easy option I may make Win 7 builds with both, to see which is better.

most os uf used Nlite, but I think it is no longer supported, gonna have alook at your software. Happy benching

For Win7 at least if you want to bench 2D, go for W7 Embedded. Regards

Oh well, maybe WinReducer is no good. I spent 16 hours modifying my build, Googling EVERY service to see what I need. Left it overnight to work, and come back to find it has frozen and I can't stop it! Going to try again with saved settings (phew, I remembered!), but have now downloaded the latest Win 10 version of nlite as well. which appears to support the latest build. Looks like it was out of support for a short time, then moved to a new website and is being actively worked on again. If it creates a build I am happy with for my daily Win 10 build, I will register it and make the best build I can to open all the features for the best 7 and 10 builds.

http://www.blackviper.com/service-configurations/

is what I use. There are scripts out there, but I can't remember where they are on the net.

WinReducer has got farther today than last night, without any problems this time. Might be finished in under 40 hours Should have done it on a faster PC

Will make an NLite build as well before I hook up the SSD I will be testing it on prior to trashing this bloated install

Looks like I have 3 apps to try for Win 7. Will see which suits my benching best

hmm. 39 hours later, and WinReducer has shrunk my Win 10 x64 Pro iso from 3.88 GB to 3.10 GB (granted I did add 77 MB in two other setup files). I hope the speed and reliability improvements are more noticeable Now to see what NTLite (the modern version of nlite) can do.

Oh well. I had a reduced Windows 10 iso, then my storage drive failed (with 1000s of bad sectors!) and I lost the file. WinReducer now won't mount the disc image, even after a full reinstall. I guess I will be registering NTLite this month and using that to try again :)