Mark O’Shea | MVP Windows Expert – IT Professional

Windows 8.1 Deployment And Migration Tools
Creating a Windows 8.1 Reference Image
Deploying Windows 8.1 with MDT
Resources

• New Machine (Bare metal)
• Refresh (Wipe-and-load)
• Replace (Side-by-side)
• Offline Media

• ImageX
• Windows ADK
• WAIK
• Windows PE
• MDT
• Configuration Manager
• DISM
• Lite Touch
• Zero Touch
• UDI
• USMT
• WSIM
• WDS
• ACT

• Command Line Tools
• Assessment Tools
• USMT
• WinPE
• VAMT 6.3

Exploring Windows 8.1 ADK Deployment and Migration tools

Option
Fix app source code
Shim the app
Pros
Preferred method
Native application
No performance penalty
Requires no changes to the app
Cons
Requires source code
Requires knowledge of how to make the application work
Not all application compatibility issues can be fixed with shims
Shims work primarily for issues like Windows version checking, user permission requirements, and DLL or registry redirection
End users might miss capabilities
Might need a replacement to fill the gap
Retire the app Fewer apps in the inventory
Might replace capabilities with other apps in consideration
Replace or upgrade the app
Most recent version of app
Newer technologies and scenarios
New and improved capabilities
Upgrade might not be available
Will likely incur additional costs
End users might have a learning curve if changes are significant

Exploring the Application Compatibility Toolkit

• Infrastructure enabler for OS Deployment
• PXE Support
• MultiCast Support

Lite Touch
• Fully automated deployment solution
• Requires no Management Infrastructure
• Client and Server support
Zero Touch with ConfigMgr 2012 R2
• Fully integrated experience
• Client and Server support
• Extends and enhances ConfigMgr 2012 R2
Windows ADK 8.1 - Core deployment tools

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Identify, build and test master images:
Create Automated Image Engineering task sequences
Minimize the number of images created
Produce consistent master images as required

• Easy and Fast
• Compatible / Flexible
• Delegation is easy
• More features
– Suspend
– CopyProfile

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Inconsistent and manual image creation processes cause issues
Lack of automation to provide consistent and repeatable process
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Install the vanilla operating system (Windows 8.1)
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Customize the OS and install core applications
Sysprep and capture the machine
MDT
Server
Reference
Client

MDT Initial Setup
Create and stock the
Deployment Share
Task Sequence
Configure Master Image Settings
Build Master Image and Capture
Create New Deployment Share
Add Operating System (for master image)
Add Applications (for master image)
Add Packages (for master image)
Add Drivers (for Windows To Go if needed)
Add Task Sequence to Build and Capture Master Image
Configure Deployment Properties in CS.ini
Build Reference Machine, Sysprep and Capture WIM

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Import the master image(s) created in image engineering
Create deployment task sequences using MDT
Enable Dynamic Deployment (Rules)

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Deploy image and layer additional components/settings.
This requires a dynamic deployment platform.
– Determine new or refresh
– Customize the deployment with dynamic settings and configuration
– Install additional applications dynamically
MDT 2013
Boot image , Task Sequence , OS Applications
MDT
Server
Deployed
Client

Initial Setup
Support the Task Sequence
Task Sequence
Configure Dynamic Properties
Deploy Custom Image
Create New Deployment Task Sequence
Import Custom Images (from Image Engineering)
Add Applications (for deploy time)
Add Packages (for deploy time)
Add Drivers (for deploy time)
Adjust the Deployment Task Sequence
Configure Properties in the MDT Deployment Database
Adjust CS.ini to query the MDT Deployment Database
Deploy Machines

• Challenges
– Multiple packaging methods
– New versions may drop support for old devices
– Badly-formed drivers (INFs)

• Boot Image Drivers
– Primarily Nic & Storage
– WinPE 5.0 uses Windows 8.1 drivers
• Operating System Drivers
– All drivers

• Deployment Share holds driver repository
• Designed to be dynamic
– Rules-based process to help filter
– Driver Groups and Selection Profiles

MDT Installing And Exploring The MDT