Release date: March 11th 2019
Welcome to my VMware Horizon series. In this sub-session I will describe how I optimized my MS Server 2012R2 RDS template.
After I finished installing applications and agents in my previous session, I’m now ready to optimize the template using, among other, VMware OS Optimization Tool. This can be downloaded from: https://labs.vmware.com/flings/vmware-os-optimization-tool
I will also configure some local group-policies and do some optimizations with SDelete and the vdi-cleanup script from: https://www.plonius.com/single-post/2017/07/20/VDI-cleanup-script—the-decisive-factor
VMware OS Optimization Tool
When I start VMware OS Optimization Tools for the first time I check for updates before I proceed. Updates are found under the Public Templates section:
Next, I’ll make a copy of the template I’m going to use, WindowsServer 2008-2012, click “Copy and Edit”
I give my template a new name
I select my new template and change %USERPROFILE%\..\Default User\NTUSER.DAT to %USERPROFILE%\..\MANDATORY.V4\NTUSER.MAN.
Next, I analyze which recommended system optimizations to apply
Based on the recommendations from the optimization tool, I run “Optimize”.
Finally I reboot the VM after optimizations are done.
Local Group Policies:
Open Local Group Policies MMC
I edit the following options as follows:
SDELETE
From an administrative cmd-prompt I run “sdelete64 -z c:”
VDI-Cleanup
I first download the vdicleanup.bat and run this from an administrative cmd-prompt. This script basically takes care of all cleanups that needs to be done and shuts down the VM when it’s done, very nice!
That concludes my session about how I optimized my Windows 2012R2 RDS template. My next logical step will be to prepare the template for use with my instant clone pool, covered here: VMware Horizon – Setup Server 2012R2 RDS Template – Prepare for usage with Horizon View
Recommended reading:
VMware Tech Zone: Creating an Optimized Windows Image for a VMware Horizon Virtual Desktop
VDI cleanup script – the decisive factor by plonius.com
VMware Horizon – Setup 2012R2 RDS Template
VMware Horizon planning, deployment etc.
Disclaimer: Every tips/tricks/posting I have published here, is tried and tested in different it-solutions. It is not guaranteed to work everywhere, but is meant as a tip for other users out there. Remember, Google is your friend and don’t be afraid to steal with pride! Feel free to comment below as needed.
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