Read this article to learn how to install OS on multiple computers simultaneously and how to install software across computers. Besides, you will know how to deploy system image files to multiple computers in the same LAN.
“We use industrial PCs running Windows with our software to control machines we sell. The PCs are identical hardware. How would we go about creating an image to use on each so we don't have to go through the Windows install, drivers, and software install each time? How do we handle the unique Windows product ID/key?”
Like the above case, there may be many small, medium, and large enterprises that want to deploy images or install software to multiple computers and have similar questions. Here, I’ll explain in detail.
For the first question, you could use a trustworthy and reliable backup software and image deployment software that can help you install OS on multiple computers without reinstalling them one by one. And the computer must be in the same LAN. In this way, you can install software across computers on a large network.
For the second question, if you are using a Retail product key, you could use it on multiple computers. However, it’s not legal and you are not able to activate more than one computer with installed Windows. Thus, you’d better buy extra product keys if you have many computers.
To install operating systems and software across computers on a large network, you need both backup software and image deployment software. I highly recommend AOMEI Backupper Standard and AOMEI Image Deploy.
AOMEI Backupper Standard is a trusted and reliable backup software used worldwide. It can help you back up your system or disk in a very short time. And it also provides extra features, such as daily/weekly/monthly backup, full or incremental backup, etc.
AOMEI Image Deploy is a FREE image deployment and network cloning software that automates the process of deploying software and Windows OS images to specific computers, making it effortless. With just a few clicks, you can initiate software installations across multiple devices simultaneously. It streamlines the deployment process, saving you time and effort.
This software is free and easy to use.
This software supports multiple operating systems, including Windows 7, 8, 10, 11 and Server 2003, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2019, 2022.
The server machine can monitor the process in real-time.
The server machine can batch preset client computers' names. To preset the IP address, you need to upgrade to AOMEI Image Deploy Technician.
✍ Helpful tip: If you only want to use one software to install software across computers on a large network, you can try AOMEI Backupper Technician or Technician Plus. They are embedded with the AOMEI Image Deploy tool and the backup function. What's more, the standalone AOMEI Image Deploy only supports BIOS boot while the integrated AOMEI Image Deploy in AOMEI Backupper Technician/Technician Plus supports both BIOS and UEFI boot.
While it's not usually possible to directly copy installed software to other computers, AOMEI Backupper and Image Deploy offer a solution. These tools can efficiently deploy the entire system, including all installed software across computers on a large network. It simplifies the process of transferring software and programs, ensuring a seamless experience. To do that, here are the preparations for installing Windows 10, 8, and 7 on multiple computers at once:
Select one computer as the server computer and make sure all computers are on the same LAN. The server computer needs to be a fully functional machine with a Windows system.
Ensure the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) of the server computer is complete. If it is incomplete or the system is older than Windows 7, please download Windows AIK/ADK.
Confirm the network card of client computers that supports network boot (PXE boot).
To install Windows and software on multiple computers with identical hardware, use the following steps. Here, I will take Windows 10 as an example.
Tip: To deploy system images to computers with dissimilar hardware like different CPUs or motherboards, please upgrade to AOMEI Image Deploy Technician to enjoy the "Universal Restore" feature.
1. Download AOMEI Backupper Standard on the server computer and create bootable media with it. You need a bootable disk to create a system image without SID.
2. Press "Win + R" and enter "Sysprep" to find Sysprep.exe. Run it and choose "Enter System Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE)", tick the "Generalize" option, and select "Shutdown". This step is used to remove SID on the server computer, thus avoiding compatible issues after deployment.
3. Boot the server computer from the bootable USB just made and create a full system image with AOMEI Backupper. You need to put the image on NAS or network share folder, which is on the same network segment of the same LAN as the server computer and all the client computers.
4. Boot the server computer normally. Free download, install, and launch AOMEI Image Deploy.
5. Create a bootable WinPE ISO file for client computers. Select “Create WinPE automatically” or “Create bootable WinPE ISO manually” and click “Next”.
Tip: To deploy an image or software over the network, there must be a DHCP server on your LAN. If no, please tick the checkbox before "Enable DHCP".
6. Use the WinPE ISO file to boot your client computers. Once AOMEI Image Deploy shows "The service has started, waiting for connect...", start all the client computers from network boot and wait for them to boot up successfully.
7. You will see the IP addresses and connection status of the client computers. Then, tick the checkbox before “I confirm all the client computers which need to be deployed are online” and click “Next”.
8. Specify the image file or software and configure the deployment settings. Finally, click “Start Deploy”.
9. View the image deployment progress on a server computer and wait. You can choose whether to shut down or restart the client computers after the deployment is completed.
1. Can software be shared over a network?
Sharing software across computers can save you money on both software and hardware. It allows multiple computers on a local area network (LAN) to use the same software.
2. How do you share a program on a network?
To share a program on your network, go to Settings > Network & internet in the Start menu, then select Sharing options. Turn on Network discovery and file and printer sharing under Private settings, and disable password-protected sharing under All Networks.
3. What happens when you connect two computers with a LAN cable?
When you connect two devices using an ethernet cable, one device sends data while the other receives it. This setup enables data sharing between the two devices efficiently.
Now you know how to install OS and software across computers on a large network at a time - you need to create a system image backup with trusted and reliable backup software like AOMEI Backupper, and then use image deployment software to clone Windows 10, 8, 7 to multiple computers at once. It also works for the software you want to install on other computers. If you need to run dissimilar hardware restore, AOMEI Image Deploy Technician is recommended as it offers the "Universal Restore" feature to avoid boot failure after deploying.