Anyway I use a free tool from Quest software called PowerGUI. See the link to the latest build http://community-downloads.quest.com/powergui/Release/3.0/PowerGUI.3.0.0.2015.msi or http://powergui.org This is the tool that you “never leave home without”. It’s just like visual studio in the sense that you can step into code and debug variables, for each loops, you name it, it can do it. Please let me know if you have any questions.

BTW, a solid second place winner is… Microsoft Windows PowerShell ISE http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd315244.aspx

This walk through can be used when creating a windows AMI.

Installed Software:

• SQL 2005 Express
• Indexer Service
• .net 2.0 SP1
• .net 3.5 SP1

Server Purpose:

• .net 2.0 web application w/ database

Instance Configuration:

• One attached volume 22gb in size. I recommend using drive letter Z: if you can. So that if you attach the volume later to another windows image you don’t accidently take a required drive letter. (normal system admin advice)

Step 1: Detach your web application’s databases

Step 2: Turn off SQL Services.

Step 3: Turn off the Indexing Service.

Step 4: Turn Off IIS

Step 5: Turn off anything else that may be accessing the hard drive and all programs Ex: antivirus software or internet explorer.

Step 6: Download and Install http://download.sysinternals.com/Files/SDelete.zip , *(delete anything that you do not want to be part of the instance now. Then empty the recycle bin.)  Then run this command : delete -c %%Your Hard Drive letter%%, repeat this for all hard drives attached to your instance.

Step 7: Bundle the image…. You can use this link http://docs.amazonwebservices.com/AWSEC2/latest/DeveloperGuide/index.html?bundling-an-ami-windows.html which caused me more trouble than it was worth or use http://developer.amazonwebservices.com/connect/entry.jspa?externalID=609 (preferred) I used this software to make the process go a lot faster. You can just right click the instance and start bundling the instance.

****BE Patient*****  BE Patient ******* BE Patient***** this process can take up to an hour or more to complete. **** BE Patient******* you can check the output window for more information.

Once complete, Register your instance. And your off. Don’t forget that your instance will need its database reattached and etc…

*note not following these guidelines can/will cause corruption to database and or files on these hard drives.

Please throw me a comment if you need help. Thanks