Optimal Windows Server Workflow

Question

Hello

I want to setup a server for a few hours every week but I need to save costs and I want to create some instances based on a specific instance I have pre-configured manually. I dont want to create a new instance, keep it on acquiring costs and then start to configure it (install IIS, download apps etc) each time. I may even need to setup up multiple insances of the same configuration. Please advise how I can achieve this in the most cost efficient way.

Also, is it possible to automate GUI apps on Windows?

Answer 1

Hi @Ade ,

maybe using a PowerShell script is an option:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/windows/tutorial-automate-vm-deployment
In this example a VM with IIS will be created.

Using the Custom Script extension it's also possible to install applications on the VM with Chocolatey during deployment: https://chocolatey.org/

This way you get an automated deployment with the option to easy customize to you needs (for instance if the VMs are "almost the same but exactly the same").

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(If the reply was helpful please don't forget to upvote and/or accept as answer, thank you)

Regards
Andreas Baumgarten