To deploy an instant-clone desktop pool, you must first prepare a golden image virtual machine in vCenter Server. What to read next Configure a Golden Image Virtual MachineAfter creating a virtual machine that you plan to use as a golden image, configure the Windows environment. Activating Windows on Instant ClonesTo make sure that Windows 10 and Windows Server clones are properly activated when the clones are created, you must use Microsoft volume activation on the golden image virtual machine. The volume-activation technology requires a volume license key. Disable Windows Hibernation in the Golden ImageThe Windows hibernation feature creates a hidden system file, Hiberfil.sys and uses this file to store information that is needed for hybrid sleep. Disabling hibernation reduces the size of an instant clone's virtual disk. Choosing ClonePrep or Sysprep for Customizing Your Virtual DesktopsThere are two options for customizing instant clone virtual machines: VMware ClonePrep or Microsoft Sysprep. Increase the Timeout Limit for ClonePrep Customization ScriptsClonePrep post-synchronization or power-off scripts have a timeout limit of 20 seconds. You can increase this limit by changing the ExecScriptTimeout Windows registry value on the golden image virtual machine. Compute Profiles and Golden ImageThe VMware Horizon 8 compute profile feature significantly improves golden image management and reduces the number of golden images required to create desktop pools for different requirements. Parent topic: Creating and Preparing a Virtual Machine for Cloning