You can use a custom image to quickly create multiple cloud computers with identical settings, eliminating the need to repeat creation tasks. This topic describes how to create a custom image.
Background information
Images are region-bound resources. You cannot use images to create cloud computers across regions. When you create a custom image, make sure that the image and the cloud computer that you want to create from the image belong to the same region. For example, if you want to create a cloud computer in the China (Hangzhou) region, you must use a custom image from the China (Hangzhou) region.
You can create a custom image based on a cloud computer or snapshot. You can also import an image from your on-premises device to the Elastic Desktop Service (EDS) Enterprise console and use the imported image to generate a custom image.
You cannot delete a custom image that is being created.
The time required to create a custom image depends on the amount of data stored on the cloud computer used for creating the image.
Avoid shutting down or restarting the cloud computer during image creation, as it will cause the process to fail.
Prerequisites
If you want to use a cloud computer or a many-to-many share to create an image, make sure that the cloud computer or many-to-many is created. For more information, see Create cloud computers or Create and manage many-to-many shares.
If you want to use a system disk snapshot to create an image, make sure that the system disk snapshot is created. For more information, see Use snapshots (public preview).
Create an image by using a cloud computer
You can create a custom image by using a cloud computer to save or replicate its operating system or data. This image can then be used to create additional cloud computers with identical settings.
Log on to the EDS Enterprise console.
Use one of the following methods to create a custom image:
Create on the Cloud Computers page
In the left-side navigation pane, choose .
In the upper-left corner of the top navigation bar, select a region.
On the Cloud Computers page, find the cloud computer from which you want to create a custom image and click the ⋮ icon in the Actions column. Then, click Create Image.
In the Create Image panel, configure the following parameters as needed and click Create.
Parameter
Description
Image Name
The name of the custom image. Make sure that the name meets the naming conventions.
NoteThe name must be 2 to 128 characters in length, and can contain letters, digits, colons (.), underscores (_), and hyphens (-). The name must start with a letter but cannot start with
http://orhttps://. It can contain digits, colons (:), underscores (_), and hyphens (-).Clean Personal Residual Data
Specifies whether to clean personal data. By default, Clean Personal Residual Data is turned on to prevent personal data and logon information from being retained in the custom image that you want to create.
NoteIf you use an encrypted cloud computer, this parameter is unavailable.
Before you enable or disable this feature, pay attention to the following notes:
Turn on Clean Personal Residual Data
The system clears user personal data, which may extend image creation time by approximately 20 minutes.
The data cleared by the system varies depending on the type of cloud computers.
Linux cloud computers
This cleanup operation affects only generated image files. The system will remove regular user data and data within user directories under the
/homepath. Root user data, system-installed applications, and system data will remain unaffected.Windows cloud computers
This cleanup operation affects only generated image files. The system will remove user files and data, except for those in
C:\Users\AdministratorandC:\Users\Public. Data in these directories, as well as system-installed applications and system data, will remain unaffected.
Turn off Clean Personal Residual Data
The system does not clear personal data. The generated image may contain data identical to that on the source cloud computer, potentially exposing personal information.Clean Personal Residual Data
Scope
Valid values:
System Disk and Data Disk: The image that you want to create contains data from the system and data disks of the source cloud computer. Cloud computers created from this image will have the same data on their system and data disks as the source cloud computer.
System Disk Only: The image that you want to create contains only data from the system disk of the source cloud computer. Cloud computers created from the image will have identical system disk data to the source cloud computer, but their data disks will be empty.
ImportantIf you create a custom image based on a Linux cloud computer and set the Scope parameter to System Disk and Data Disk, the Clean Personal Residual Data feature is unavailable.
Description
The description of the custom image that you want to create. If this parameter is not specified, the image name is used as the default image description.
Create from a many-to-many share
In the left-side navigation pane, choose .
In the upper-left corner of the top navigation bar, select a region.
On the Many-to-Many page, find the many-to-many share from which you want to create an image and click its ID.
On the Cloud Computer Information tab, find the cloud computer that you want to use to create a custom image, click the ⋮ icon in the Actions column, and then click Create Image.
In the Create Image panel, configure the following parameters as needed and click Create.
Parameter
Description
Image Name
The name of the custom image. Make sure that the name meets the naming conventions.
NoteThe name must be 2 to 128 characters in length, and can contain letters, digits, colons (.), underscores (_), and hyphens (-). The name must start with a letter but cannot start with
http://orhttps://. It can contain digits, colons (:), underscores (_), and hyphens (-).Clean Personal Residual Data
Specifies whether to clear personal data. By default, Clean Personal Residual Data is turned on to prevent personal data and logon information from being retained in the custom image that you want to create.
NoteIf you use an encrypted cloud computer, this parameter is unavailable.
Before you enable or disable this feature, pay attention to the following notes:
Turn on Clean Personal Residual Data
The system clears user personal data, which may extend image creation time by approximately 20 minutes.
The data cleared by the system varies depending on the type of cloud computers.
Linux cloud computers
This cleanup operation affects only generated image files. The system will remove regular user data and data within user directories under the
/homepath. Root user data, system-installed applications, and system data will remain unaffected.Windows cloud computers
This cleanup operation affects only generated image files. The system will remove user files and data, except for those in
C:\Users\AdministratorandC:\Users\Public. Data in these directories, as well as system-installed applications and system data, will remain unaffected.
Turn off Clean Personal Residual Data
The system does not clear personal data. The generated image may contain data identical to that on the source cloud computer, potentially exposing personal information.Clean Personal Residual Data
Scope
Valid values:
System Disk and Data Disk: The image that you want to create contains data from the system and data disks of the source cloud computer. Cloud computers created from this image will have the same data on their system and data disks as the source cloud computer.
System Disk Only: The image that you want to create contains only data from the system disk of the source cloud computer. Cloud computers created from the image will have identical system disk data to the source cloud computer, but their data disks will be empty.
ImportantIf you create a custom image based on a Linux cloud computer and set the Scope parameter to System Disk and Data Disk, the Clean Personal Residual Data feature is unavailable.
Description
The description of the custom image that you want to create. If this parameter is not specified, the image name is used as the default image description.
Export an image from a cloud computer
You can directly export an image from a cloud computer.
The feature is in invitational preview. If you want to use this feature, submit a ticket.
Log on to the EDS Enterprise console.
In the left-side navigation pane, choose .
On the Images page, click Create Image.
In the Create Image panel, click the Export Image from Cloud Computer tab.
In the Create Image panel, configure the following parameters as needed and click Create.
Parameter
Description
Image Name
The name of the custom image. Make sure that the name meets the naming conventions.
NoteThe name must be 2 to 128 characters in length, and can contain letters, digits, colons (.), underscores (_), and hyphens (-). The name must start with a letter but cannot start with
http://orhttps://.Region
The region of the cloud computer from which you want to export an image.
NoteIf you want to choose more regions, choose Image Center > Images > Configure Region after the image is created.
Clean Personal Residual Data
Specifies whether to clear personal data. By default, Clean Personal Residual Data is turned on to prevent personal data and logon information from being retained in the custom image that you want to create.
NoteIf you use an encrypted cloud computer, this parameter is unavailable.
Before you enable or disable this feature, pay attention to the following notes:
Turn on Clean Personal Residual Data
The system clears user personal data, which may extend image creation time by approximately 20 minutes.
The data cleared by the system varies depending on the type of cloud computers.
Linux cloud computers
This cleanup operation affects only generated image files. The system will remove regular user data and data within user directories under the
/homepath. Root user data, system-installed applications, and system data will remain unaffected.Windows cloud computers
This cleanup operation affects only generated image files. The system will remove user files and data, except for those in
C:\Users\AdministratorandC:\Users\Public. Data in these directories, as well as system-installed applications and system data, will remain unaffected.
Turn off Clean Personal Residual Data
The system does not clear personal data. The generated image may contain data identical to that on the source cloud computer, potentially exposing personal information.Clean Personal Residual Data
Scope
Valid values:
System Disk and Data Disk: The image that you want to create contains data from the system and data disks of the source cloud computer. Cloud computers created from this image will have the same data on their system and data disks as the source cloud computer.
System Disk Only: The image that you want to create contains only data from the system disk of the source cloud computer. Cloud computers created from the image will have identical system disk data to the source cloud computer, but their data disks will be empty.
ImportantIf you create a custom image based on a Linux cloud computer and set the Scope parameter to System Disk and Data Disk, the Clean Personal Residual Data feature is unavailable.
Description
The description of the custom image that you want to create. If this parameter is not specified, the image name is used as the default image description.
Select Cloud Computer
The cloud computer from which you want to export an image.
NoteThe cloud computers in the selected region are displayed.in the Select Cloud Computer list.
Create an image by using an online image builder
You can use an online image builder to create custom images easily.
The feature is in invitational preview. If you want to use this feature, submit a ticket.
Prerequisites
To create a custom image by using an online image builder, make sure that all of the following conditions are met:
The basic image uses either Windows Server 2019 or Windows Server 2022 as its operating system.
The basic image version must be V2.3.0 or later.
The basic image is in the Available state.
This feature is supported only in the following regions:
NoteTo enable this feature in a region outside the following listed regions, configure one of the listed regions as the available region for the custom image. For more information, see Configure an image region (new version).
China (Beijing)
China (Shanghai)
China (Hangzhou)
China (Shenzhen)
China (Zhangjiakou)
China (Hong Kong)
Singapore
Germany (Frankfurt)
US (Silicon Valley)
Step 1: Configure an online image builder
Log on to the EDS Enterprise console.
In the left-side navigation pane, choose .
On the Images page, click Create Image.
In the Create Image panel, click the Custom Image (Beta) tab.
In the Enter Basic Information step, configure the following parameters as needed and click Next.
Parameter
Required
Description
Limitation
Example
Custom Image Name
Yes
The name of the custom image.
The name must be 2 to 64 characters in length and can contain letters, digits, colons (:), underscores (_), and hyphens (-). The name must start with a letter but cannot start with
http://orhttps://.TestImage01
Region
No
The region where you want to create the custom image.
None
China (Hangzhou)
Office Network
No
The office network in which you want to create the custom image.
In the image builder environment, you can select only a convenience office network created on or after December 1, 2024.
Office Network
Description
No
The description of the custom image.
The description must be 2 to 256 characters in length and can contain letters, digits, special characters, and spaces. You can use carriage returns to separate lines. The description cannot start with
http://orhttps://.Test
Basic Image
Yes
The basic image on which the image that you want to create depends.
Valid values:
Custom Image
System Image
You can select a system image. You can also select a custom image that you created.
System Image
Language
Yes
The initialization language for the system.
You can select the initialization language only for system images. Valid values:
Chinese
Traditional Chinese (Hong Kong)
English
Japanese
Chinese
In the Configure Online Builder step, configure the following parameters as needed and click Next.
Parameter
Required
Description
Limitation
Example
Instance Specification
Yes
The computing resource type of the online image builder.
Valid values:
General (without GPUs)
Graphics (with GPUs)
General
Storage Capacity
Yes
The storage capacity of the online image builder.
System Disk (required): The storage size ranges from 40 GiB to 300 GiB. You can increase the capacity at increments of 10 GiB. The value of this parameter must be greater than or equal to the storage capacity of the basic image that you selected.
Data Disk (optional): The storage size ranges from 40 GiB to 500 GiB. You can increase the capacity at increments of 10 GiB. The value of this parameter must be greater than or equal to the storage capacity of the basic image that you selected. You can also set the value to 0.
100 GiB
File
No
The application installation package or file package to be installed on cloud computers. Uploaded files are placed on the desktop of the online image builder.
For files smaller than 5 GiB, select Local File. For files 5 GiB or larger, select OSS URL.
No restrictions are applied to file types.
You can upload up to five files.
Local File
In the (Optional) Install Peripheral Driver step, select an Alibaba Cloud Workspace drive or custom enterprise drive to install and click Next.
NoteOnly Windows images currently support installing peripheral and printer drivers. Other operating systems do not support this feature.
You can select up to 20 drivers.
In the Confirm step, check whether the information is correct. To modify incorrect information, click Modify. To confirm the information and begin image creation, click Confirm and Start.
The online image builder opens on the page that appears. Environment preparation may take a few minutes. Complete the image creation process on this page.
NoteThe image creation environment is available for a limited time (a few hours). Ensure the creation process is properly arranged to prevent failure in case of a timeout.
The region where the image is created is determined by the region of the selected basic image. To add additional regions, configure an image region after the creation is complete. For more information, see Configure an image region (new version).
If the page of the online image builder does not open, check whether it is blocked by your browser.
If the page closes while an image is being created, choose . On the next page, click Continue Creating in the Status column to reopen the page of the online image builder.
Step 2: Create and publish a custom image
After the online image builder is created, you can perform the following steps on the page that appears to create a custom image:
Text tutorial
In the Builder Environment Preparation step, wait a few minutes for the environment to be fully prepared. In the message that appears, click Start to Build.
In the Build and Configuration step, install applications, store files, or modify the registry as needed, and click Next.
NoteThe file uploaded in the Configure Online Builder step will be accessible on the desktop of the production environment. To upload additional files, such as application installation packages, you can click the floating icon on the desktop and select Upload.
On the Configure Image tab of the Configuration dialog box, select the wallpaper and desktop shortcut of the custom image. Click Next.
View the peripheral driver installation results on the Peripheral Driver Installation Results tab. Confirm the settings and click Next.
On the Test tab of the Configuration dialog box, check the file directory and registry directory that are temporarily generated in the production environment and are not retained in the official image. Click Test Now.
Preparing the environment for testing typically takes 1 to 5 minutes. Please wait for the process to complete.
After the test environment is ready, click Test in the Perform an image test dialog box.
Fully test your image in the test environment. After the test is complete, click Test Passed. In the message that appears, click Confirm.
In the Perform an image test dialog box, click Publish. In the Do you want to publish now? dialog box, select the regions where you want to publish the image and click Publish Now.
In the confirmation dialog box, click Go Now to return to the EDS Enterprise console and monitor the image publish progress and results.
Create an image by using a snapshot
A snapshot captures the data on a disk at a specific moment, enabling data backup and restoration. A snapshot allows you to create a custom image that captures the operating system and data of a cloud computer. This custom image can then be used to create additional cloud computers with identical settings.
Take note that only the system disk of a cloud computer can be used to create a custom image.
Use one of the following methods to create a custom image:
Create on the Snapshots tab
In the left-side navigation pane, choose .
In the upper-left corner of the top navigation bar, select a region.
On the Cloud Computers page, find the cloud computer whose system disk snapshot you want to use and click its ID.
On the Snapshots tab, find the system disk snapshot that you want to use to create a custom image and click Create Image in the Actions column.
Create on the Snapshots page
In the left-side navigation pane, choose .
In the upper-left corner of the top navigation bar, select a region.
On the Snapshots tab, find the system disk snapshot that you want to use to create a custom image and click Create Image in the Actions column.
In the Create Image panel, configure the Image Name and Description parameters and click Create.
Create an image by using an imported image
You can create an image on your on-premises computer and import the image to the EDS Enterprise console to generate a custom image. For more information, see Import an image.
View and manage a custom image
In the left-side navigation pane, choose . On the Custom Image tab, you can view the status and creation progress of images.
If an image is created, the status of the image changes from Creating to Available, and the creation progress of the image changes to 100%.
If an image fails to be created, the status of the image changes from Creating to Failed. In this case, you can click Delete in the Actions column to delete the image and try to create a custom image again.
What to do next
After you create a custom image, you can perform the following operations:
Create a cloud computer template based on the custom image. For more information, see Create and manage custom templates.
Use a cloud computer template that contains the custom image to create cloud computers or many-to-many shares. For more information, see Create cloud computers or Create and manage many-to-many shares.