Slipstreaming Windows

Slipstreaming is a process where Windows installation files are upgraded with service pack files so that any future installations of Windows already contain the service packs. Slipstreaming Windows XP after upgrading to Service Pack 2 is installed is a requirement if the Microsoft Recovery Console is to be installed on the boot (C:) drive.

Not all PC's are supplied with Windows XP installation CD's, but these PC's should contain a folder called \i386 which contain these installation files. The \i386 folder may also be slipstreamed to the latest service pack. Prior to slipstreaming a disk based \i386 folder, move the folder to another sub folder because the slipstreaming process creates additional folders, e.g. create a folder called C:\XP  then drag and drop the folder c:\i386 or c:\windows\i386 onto c:\XP.

The second requirement for creating a slipstreamed version of the Windows installation files is the administrative copy of the service pack files. Use this Google search to locate "Windows XP Service Pack 2 Network Installation Package for IT Professionals and Developers". The size of Windows XP SP2 is about 272MB, if you do not have a cable or broadband connection you may want to ask a friend to download and copy it to a CD for you.

The Slipstreaming Process

There is no point in us creating yet another set of instructions for the slipstreaming process as there are many examples already available. For owners of a Windows XP bootable CD it is advised that you create a bootable copy of the slipstreamed Windows installation CD.

Click here for a Google search of various slipstreaming solutions.