The VMware OS Optimization Tool helps in preparing and optimizing Windows 10/8/7 and Windows Server 2019/2016/2012/2008 systems for use with VMware Horizon.

At a high level, the process of creating a master VM image consists of the following steps.

The OS Optimization Tool helps with three key steps in this process:

Optimize

Generalize

Finalize

For a step by step walkthrough of the complete process, see the Creating an Optimized Windows Image for a VMware Horizon Virtual Desktop guide.

The OS Optimization Tool includes customizable templates to enable or disable Windows system services and features, per VMware recommendations and best practices. Since most Windows system services are enabled by default, the optimization tool can be used to easily disable unnecessary services and features to improve performance and user experience.

The Analyze button, at the bottom, compares the settings of the template against the machine settings.

The Common Options button opens a dialog where the tabs allow you to quickly and easily choose and set preferences to control common functionality. These options normally involve configuring multiple individual settings in the template. By grouping the actions together, the individual settings get configured as necessary to give the desired outcome.

Amongst the settings in this dialog there is the option to remove Windows 10 Store Apps while keeping commonly used ones.

The Optimize button, at the bottom of the page, applies the template settings to the machine.

Generalize helps in running the system preparation tool (Sysprep) with a supplied and editable unattend answer file.

Finalize provides the option to automate and help with some of the common clean up tasks that are typically run just before using the prepared image. These include system clean up tasks and clearing information that makes the image cleaner and ready for use with Horizon.

My Templates lists all the built-in templates, templates you have created or downloaded. It also allows you to examine the detail of a template, the individual settings and understand what action is carried out if that setting is selected.

Public Templates allows you to share your templates, get templates from the community, or update the built-in templates (if an update is available).