Enterprise Software

Using the Deployment Workbench to Install Windows Vista

By · June 19, 2007, 6:40 AM PST

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  • By Brien M. Posey

    One of the most common methods for deploying the Windows operating system to network workstations involves disk imaging. The basic idea behind imaging is that you can configure a PC to match your standard desktop deployment, and then create an image of the PC. That image can then be copied to any additional desktops that you need to deploy.

    There are dozens of disk imaging solutions on the market, and each of them have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. The disk imaging solution currently recommended by Microsoft is the Deployment Workbench. The Deployment Workbench is a free solution included in Microsoft’s Business Desktop Deployment 2007 (BDD 2007) which you can download directly from Microsoft's Web site. In this photo gallery, I'll walk you through the process.

    You must download the various Deployment Workbench components before you can begin work on creating an operating system image.

  • The Automated Installation Kit Setup Wizard is used to install the Automated Installation Kit

  • You must accept the Automated Installation Kit's End User License Agreement.

  • The wizard prompts you for an installation path.

  • The wizard now copies the necessary files.

  • Click Close to close the wizard.

  • The Deployment Workbench will list the Windows Automated Installation Kit among the installed components.

  • You must choose the type of operating system that you want to add to the distribution share.

  • You must provide the path to your installation media.

  • Enter a name for the destination directory.

  • The Deployment Workbench copies the Windows installation files to the distribution point.

  • The Operating Systems container now contains images of various editions of Windows Vista.

  • The New Application Wizard allows you to include applications in your deployment image.

  • You must enter some details regarding the application that you are including in the image.

  • Supply the path to the application’s installation files.

  • Enter a name for the application’s directory

  • You must enter the command that launches the application’s setup program.

  • In progress.

  • The new application is listed in the details pane.

  • The application’s properties sheet’s General tab allows you to force a reboot after installation.

  • The Dependencies tab allows you to install applications in a specific order.

  • The Office Products tab allows you to enter a product key and automatically accept the end user license agreement.

By Brien M. Posey

One of the most common methods for deploying the Windows operating system to network workstations involves disk imaging. The basic idea behind imaging is that you can configure a PC to match your standard desktop deployment, and then create an image of the PC. That image can then be copied to any additional desktops that you need to deploy.

There are dozens of disk imaging solutions on the market, and each of them have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. The disk imaging solution currently recommended by Microsoft is the Deployment Workbench. The Deployment Workbench is a free solution included in Microsoft’s Business Desktop Deployment 2007 (BDD 2007) which you can download directly from Microsoft's Web site. In this photo gallery, I'll walk you through the process.

You must download the various Deployment Workbench components before you can begin work on creating an operating system image.
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