Ron Schenone

vLite for Vista – nLite For XP

Posted by on Feb 1, 2008 | 10 Comments

I haven’t tried either of these programs but wanted to provide this information for you brave souls who may want to give it a try. vLite for Vista is described on the software’s web site as being:

vLite is a tool for customizing the Windows Vista installation before actually installing it.

Main features are:

  • hotfix, language pack and driver integration
  • component removal
  • unattended setup
  • tweaks
  • split/merge Vista installation CDs
  • create ISO and burn bootable CD/DVD

Windows Vista from Microsoft takes a lot of resources, we all know that. vLite provides you with an easy removal of the unwanted components in order to make Vista run faster and to your liking.

This tool doesn’t use any kind of hacking, all files and registry entries are protected as they would be if you install the unedited version only with the changes you select.

It configures the installation directly before the installation, meaning you’ll have to remake the ISO and reinstall it. This method is much cleaner, not to mention easier and more logical than doing it after installation on every reinstall.

The nLite version is for XP and is described as:

Have you ever wanted to remove Windows components like Media Player, Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, MSN Explorer, Messenger…
How about not even to install them with Windows ?

nLite is a tool for permanent Windows components removal and pre-installation Windows configuration. After removal there is an option to make bootable image ready for burning on cd or testing in virtual machines.
With nLite you will be able to have Windows installation which on install does not include, or even contain on cd, the unwanted components.

If you have tried either of these could you please provide us with your personal experience.

Comments welcome.

[tags]vlite, nlite, vista, xp, tripped down version, eliminate components, options, [/tags]

  • James

    I have used nLite for XP and I can say it is absolutely brilliant. There is a brilliant guide on the nLite website (http://www.nliteos.com/guides.html) which can guide you through it’s many features, functions and various configuration options. I am in the process of creating an image so I will have two options when reinstalling my system, but I can say nLite is a lot easier than slipstreaming within Windows for the less IT Literate users out there, although I would recommend nLite to anyone, unless they want to create an install and then ‘restore’ it from CD(s), in that case I would recommend an nLite install, and then image using software such as Acronis True Image or Norton Ghost. I use Acronis.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hello James,
    Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

  • greywizard

    I have been using nlite for a short time and absoultly love it. It gives you allot of control over an xp install. If you do allot of formatting of your computers then this is a great tool to save you time when you reinstall. The only thing I think that would be better is an image of the drive once it is set up just the way you want it and it is still a clean install. The only problem I have found with this idea is that I never seem to get around to creating the image. Now if I could just something like this for linux..hmmm

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi greywizard,
    Thanks for the info.

  • http://www.geocities.com/qmar777uk Faraz Khan

    there is already a older product called XP-lite .. a continuation of 98-lite…which was freeware and good.

  • Bill Pileggi

    I/we use nLite on an ‘industrial’ scale to create updated installation CDs for WindowsXP and Windows2000 (still much in use). nLite allows you to incorporate the Service Pack(s) + Hotfixes directly into the installation, saving lots of time that would otherwise be wasted waiting for Windows Update/Automatic Update to download and install these hotfixes and patches. Another nice feature – the ability to incorporate your own folders into the ISO image you create (and then burn onto a CD). [For WIN2K, these folders include the 'latest' versions of many programs that will work - I.E. 6/SP1; Media Player 9; Adobe Acrobat 7; Direct-X 9c; Q.T. 6, etc. This is an additional time-saver, as I don't have to swap out CDs - I can keep installing software from the same CD.] Another nice (undocumented?) feature – the ability to create a ‘proper’ bootable CD. We have noted (periodically) a certain OEM manufacturer’s WINXP O/S re-installation CD will absolutely refuse to boot up on their own computer. Running the OEM CD through nLite, making no changes or additions, but selecting CREATE BOOTABLE ISO option, will, when you burn the resulting ISO image, result in a bootable disk. Nicely done.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Thanks to you both for the additional information. It is appreciated.
    Regards, Ron

  • http://www.yahoo.com.br Duel Macia

    Hi guys! I’d like to be helped by you… how can i use the nLite services. I’d like to personalize my System. I read your massages but i got nothing about want i want. Please help me! I hope to hearing from you, my regards

  • http://www.gmail.com Christopher

    Morning sirs…tell me more about vLite and nLite. Would you please tell me how can i install and how do i use?

  • Ralph Conher

    HI team:
    I used nlite and works excellent but i cant say the same for vlite.
    I have the windows vista ultimate with sp1 in a dvd, but when run the vlite application this send me to download the same iso that i have and i cant do that, is a file with 1.5 gb.
    There is some steps in order to run it from my dvd?
    Regards and blessings.