Best practice on removing some of the languages or tools

[Amna56]

I'm trying to build a windows 2022 image and since I don't need some of the languages or tools (such as ruby and chrome for example). The build would always fail in the Test step.
My current setup is using packer and powershell to run the window-2022.pkr.hcl
Just asking for the best way to make these edits without the current process.

[kishorekumar-anchala]

Hi @Amna56 ,

what process you're following currently , could you please provide information ? thank you !

[Amna56]

So the current way to remove something I don't need is by removing the installation step from packer hcl file. I also have the Runall-Tests removed and anything that has to do with software report removed.
I'm asking because windows image is a pain to build and I'm trying to get some of the tools updated or removed due to security vulnerabilites.

[lakshminarayana02]

in my view, I do not think that is a good idea. Simply deleting the installation from packer can leave behind broken dependencies that cause tests to fail , alternatively, use PowerShell commands to really uninstall the packages, it helps to clean the cache and registry entries as well.

[Amna56]

I don't think it makes sense to install something then to uninstall it. it would basically take me double amount of the time.
my main reason for looking into this is that windows build takes about 6 hrs to complete in the best of case and 12 hours is the average.
I'm trying to figure it out as i go.

[Amna56]

I dont understand how is this related. is this the right place to post this?