OSBuild Templates
Creating a custom OSBuild in a single Task can get quite complicated, with more options to configure than an Apple Watch. This is where OSBuilder 19.1.31 "SASMUG" makes things easier.
Baby Steps
When working with Templates, Baby Steps are important. Instead of trying to create the perfect OSBuild Task, which make take weeks to fully develop, spend time creating specific Templates that are perfected due to the smaller scope.
New-OSBuildTask with Custom Name
Create a New-OSBuild Task without any customizations and give it a CustomName. This will be used as a Control Task
Remove Appx Provisioned Package Template
By now you should know what Appx Provisioned Packages you want to remove. Use the following PowerShell command line to create an OSBuild Task to remove the ones you don't want.
You will need to select an Operating System and then multi-select the Appx Provisioned Packages to remove and press OK
When complete, the Task will be saved in the OSBuilder Tasks directory. Here is what the selection above looks like in the Task JSON file. In this format, it should be easy to edit manually if you need to make changes
Move the Task JSON file into the OSBuilder Templates directory
New-OSBuild -ByTaskName
You can easily validate the Template by using New-OSBuild with the ByTaskName parameter. When using New-OSBuild without the Execute parameter, it will only validate the OSBuild, which is ideal for testing
The command above will start the New-OSBuild process. The first step is to display the Task information
Task Information
New-OSBuild will then select the latest UBR for this Task OSMedia automatically. After the newest OSMedia is selected, Templates will be processed. In the example below, the Appx Template that was create is applied
Global Defaults Template
By design, all Templates will be applied to a matching OSMedia Family, meaning if you create a Template with Windows 10 x64 1809 the Template will only apply to that specific <OS><Arch><ReleaseId>
To create a Template for All OSBuilds, use the word Global (not case sensitive) in the TaskName
The command above will allow me to ensure that all my OSBuilds have these two settings enabled
Global Scripts Template
I have a few PowerShell scripts that I like to apply on all of my OSBuilds, so I can create a New-OSBuildTask for only my Global PowerShell Scripts. Once created, I can move the OSBuild Task JSON file into my OSBuild Templates
Global Testing
Time to do another round of testing with the new Templates
In the screenshot below, the two Global Templates were applied as well as the Appx Template. The OSBuild Task Information shows the combination of all three Templates
This is the proper way to Perfect an OSBuild
Damage Control | Control Damage
Now let's make sure that we don't cause any Template bleed between Operating Systems. I create a New-OSBuildTask for Windows 10 x64 1803 and remove everything for RemoveAppxProvisionedPackage
The Task JSON file clearly shows all the Appx Provisioned Packages being removed
I then move the Task JSON into Templates and test again with New-OSBuild. This is the expected result, the Template is skipped because the OSMedia Family didn't match
Keep in mind that things change between Windows 10 Builds, so it is best to keep any settings matched to the Operating System Build
SkipTemplates
Templates are always applied when creating a New-OSBuild, but in the event you don't want to use Templates, simply use the SkipTemplates parameter. In this case, Templates will not be processed
SkipTask
Skipping the Task is another helpful way to create a New-OSBuild without using any settings in an OSBuild Task. Instead of being prompted for a Task, using the SkipTask parameter allows me to select an existing OSMedia. In this example I have selected an old update of Windows 10 x64 1809, even though I have a newer one
Even though the old version was selected, New-OSBuild automatically selected the newer OSMedia automatically. Templates are automatically applied (unless I add the SkipTemplates parameter)
SkipUpdates
Testing and perfecting Templates takes a fair amount of Trial and Error. To minimize the time in creating an OSBuild for Testing only use the SkipUpdates parameter. This prevents the SSU, LCU, and other updates from being applied, which speeds up the build, but again, TESTING ONLY
My Settings
Well Templates are new, but for me I keep two Global Templates, one for the OS, and the second for WinPE. I keep it similar for the OSMedia Family specific settings, and always keep Appx separate
And here is what that looks like
Right Click and open in New Window
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