Running the Windows Deployment Wizard

To initiate the deployment of Windows to target computers, run the Windows Deployment Wizard. Initiate the Windows Deployment Wizard manually or by using Windows Deployment Services. Each deployment scenario (Upgrade Computer, Replace Computer, New Computer, or Refresh Computer) uses a different process. Initiate the deployment from Windows Deployment Services, a network share, from local drives, or using a DVD. After initiating the Windows Deployment Wizard, the deployment process begins. The process prompts for any configuration settings that are not already specified.

Depending on the deployment scenario selected and the configuration options specified in CustomSettings.ini, the Windows Deployment Wizard displays different wizard pages. The logic for displaying (or not displaying) a wizard page is noted for each wizard page in the following steps.

To deploy the new operating system to the target computer using the Windows Deployment Wizard, complete the following steps (skip any wizard pages that are not displayed based on the deployment point type selected):

  1. Verify that the folders in Table 14 no longer exist on the target computer.

    The Windows Deployment Wizard creates and uses the folders listed in Table 14 during the deployment process. If a previous deployment was terminated because of an error, these folders might still exist on the target computer. If these folders are not removed, the process will continue from the point where the process terminated instead of starting from the beginning. Remove these folders, if they exist, before initiating a new deployment. These folders exist on os_drive (where os_drive is the drive where the operating system is installed).

    Table 14. Folders to Remove Before Initiating the Windows Deployment Wizard

    Folder

    Description

    os_drive:\MININT

    This folder is preserved through the deployment process and contains deployment state information (such as user state migration information and log files).

    os_drive:\_SMSTaskSequence

    This folder contains state information specific to the task sequencer.

  2. Initiate the Windows Deployment Wizard by connecting to the appropriate deployment point (for example, \\servername\Distribution$\Scripts) and typing cscript litetouch.vbs.

    This wizard appears when the conditions in Table 15 are met.

    Table 15. Welcome to the Windows Deployment Wizard Page Conditions

    Property

    Condition

    DeployRoot

    Begins when X:\ or the DeployRoot property equals “”.  (Typically, the Windows Deployment console automatically sets this value.)

  3. On the Welcome to the Windows Deployment Wizard page shown in Figure 1, select one of the options shown in Table 16 based on the environment’s requirements, and then click Next.

    Figure 1. Windows Deployment Wizard welcome page

    Figure 1. Windows Deployment Wizard welcome page

    Use this wizard page to select deployment shares (called deployment points in Deployment Workbench) based on a site. Sites are logical groupings of one or more deployment points. Sites are defined in the LocationServer.xml file. Use this file to group one or more deployment points into a site. The Windows Deployment Wizard can manage server and network traffic use within a site by distributing the use across all the deployment points in the site.

    Note   You see this screen if there is a LocationServer.xml file. This file must be manually created at this time. The default Windows Deployment Wizard welcome page would ask only for the Deployment Share Path.

    Table 16. Deployment Share Options

    Option

    Select this option to

    Select my deployment share based on my site locale

    Automatically select the deployment share based on the site. In the Site list, select site (where site is the site where a control server qualified path to the locations for the control server share is located).

    Manually specify the server location

    Manually specify the control server share. In the Deployment Share box, type control_server_share (where control_server_share is the fully qualified path to the locations for the control server share).

  4. On the Select a task sequence to execute on this computer page, shown in Figure 2, in The following task sequences are available section, click task_sequence (where task_sequence is the name of the task sequence to run).

    Figure 2. Task Sequence page

    Figure 2. Task Sequence page

    Note   All supported operating systems may have task sequences made for them.

  5. On the Specify the product key needed to install this operating system page (shown in Figure 3), in the Product key box, type product_key (where product_key is the product key to be assigned to the target computer), and then click Next (see Table 18).

    This wizard appears when the conditions in Table 17 are met.

    Table 17. Specify the product key needed to install this operating system Page Conditions

    Property

    Condition

    SkipProductKey

    Not equal to YES

    DeploymentType

    Not equal to REPLACE

    ImageBuild

    The first character in the property is less than 6 (which indicates a Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 build).

    Figure 3. Product Key page

    Figure 3. Product Key page

    Table 18. Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 Product Key Options

    Option

    Select this option to

    No product key is required

    Assign product keys to target computers using a Key Management Server (KMS) key.

    Activate the machine with a Multiple Activation Key (MAK)

    Assign a MAK to the target computer and activate the computer over the Internet.

    In the Multiple activation key box, type mak (where mak is the MAK to be assigned to the target computer).

    Use a specific product key

    Assign a specific license key for installation or retail activation.

    In the Product_key box, type product_key (where product_key is the product key to be assigned to the target computer).

  6. On the Choose a migration type page, shown in Figure 4, select one of the options in Table 20 based on the environment’s requirements, and then click Next.

    This wizard appears when the conditions in Table 19 are met.

    Table 19. Choose a migration type Page Conditions

    Property

    Condition

    SkipDeploymentType

    Not equal to YES

    DeploymentType

    Not equal to NEWCOMPUTER or REPLACE or CUSTOM

    OSGUID

    Not equal to blank

    Note   This means that this pane will show if the selected task sequence is deploying an operating system.

    Figure 4. Migration Type page

    Figure 4. Migration Type page

    Table 20. Migration Type Options

    Option

    Select this option to

    Refresh this computer

    Optionally, save the existing user state migration data.

    Deploy the desktop standard environment, including operating system and applications.

    Restore user state migration data on the same computer.

    Upgrade this computer

    Upgrade the existing computer using the upgrade features supported by the new operating system.

    Note   The upgrade process will fail on target computers that have users logged on using Remote Desktop sessions. Ensure that no users are connected to the target computer by Remote Desktop before initiating the Windows Deployment Wizard.

    Note   Although it is not a migration scenario, the New Computer scenario can be used to deploy the new operating system to a new computer.

  7. On the Configure the computer name page (shown in Figure 5), in the Computer name box, type computer_name (where computer_name is the computer name to assign to the target computer), and then click Next.

    This wizard appears when the conditions in Table 21 are met.

    Table 21. Configure the computer name Page Conditions

    Property

    Condition

    SkipComputerName

    Not equal to YES

    DeploymentType

    Not equal to NEWCOMPUTER or REPLACE or CUSTOM

    Figure 5. Computer Name page

    Figure 5. Computer Name page

  8. On the Join the computer to a domain or workgroup page (shown in Figure 6), select one of the options in Table 23 based on requirements, and then click Next.

    This wizard appears when the conditions in Table 22 are met.

    Table 22. Join the computer to a domain or workgroup Page Conditions

    Property

    Condition

    PrePopulateDomainMembership

    Equal to TRUE

    SkipDomainMembership

    Not equal to YES

    DeploymentType

    Not equal to REPLACE or UPGRADE

    Figure 6. Domain or Workgroup Membership page

    Figure 6. Domain or Workgroup Membership page

    Table 23. Specify Computer Membership Configuration

    For this option

    Perform this task to

    Join a domain

    Join an existing Active Directory domain:

    1. In the Domain box, type domain (where domain is the name of the domain to be joined).

    2. In the User Name box, type user_name (where user_name is the name of a user account that has sufficient permissions to create the computer account in the domain).

    3. In the Password box, type password (where password is the password for the user account specified in the User Name box).

    4. In the Domain box, type domain (where domain is the name of the domain where the user account specified in the User Name box is located).

    5. In the Organizational Unit box, type organizational_unit (where organizational_unit is the name of the organizational unit [OU] in the Active Directory domain where the computer account will be created).

    Join a workgroup

    Join a Windows workgroup.

    In the Workgroup box, type workgroup (where workgroup is the name of the workgroup to join).

  9. On the Specify where to save your data and settings page (shown in Figure 7), select one of the options in Table 25 based on requirements, and then click Next.

    This wizard appears when the conditions in Table 24 are met.

    Table 24. Specify where to save your data and settings Page Conditions

    Property

    Condition

    SkipUserData

    Not equal to YES

    DeploymentType

    Not equal to NEWCOMPUTER or REPLACE or CUSTOM

    Figure 7. User Data page

    Figure 7. User Data page

    Table 25. User State Backup Options

    Option

    Select this option to

    Automatically determine the location

    Allow the Microsoft Deployment scripts and process rules to automatically determine the best location based on local available disk space on the target computer.

    Optionally, select the Allow data and settings to be stored locally when possible check box to give preference to storing the data locally.

    Specify a location

    Save the user state migration data to a specific location.

    In the Location box, type location (where location is the fully qualified path to the locations for storing the user state migration data).

    Note   Alternatively, click Browse to go to the location.

    Do not save data and settings

    Discard any existing user state migration data or deploy a new computer with no existing data.

  10. On the Specify whether to restore user data page (shown in Figure 8), select one of the options in Table 27 based on requirements, and then click Next.

    This wizard appears when the conditions in Table 26 are met.

    Table 26. Specify whether to restore user data Page Conditions

    Property

    Condition

    SkipUserData

    Not equal to YES

    DeploymentType

    Equal to NEWCOMPUTER

    Figure 8. User Data Restore page

    Figure 8. User Data Restore page

    Table 27. User State Restore Options

    Option

    Select this option if

    Do not restore user data and settings

    The migration type is New Computer, and there is no user state migration data to restore.

    Specify a location

    The migration type is Replace Computer.

    In the Location box, type location (where location is the fully qualified path to the location where the user state migration back files are stored).

  11. On the Specify where to save a complete computer backup page (shown in Figure 9), select one of the options in Table 29 based on requirements, and then click Next.

    This wizard appears when the conditions in Table 28 are met.

    Table 28. Specify where to save a complete computer backup Page Conditions

    Property

    Condition

    SkipComputerBackup

    Not equal to YES

    DeploymentType

    Equal to REFRESH

    Figure 9. Computer Backup page

    Figure 9. Computer Backup page

    Table 29. Computer Image Backup Options

    Option

    Select this option to

    Automatically determine the location

    Allow the Microsoft Deployment scripts and process rules to automatically determine the best location based on local available disk space on the target computer.

    Optionally, select the Allow data and settings to be stored locally when possible check box to give preference to storing the data locally.

    Specify a location

    Save the computer image backup to a specific location.

    In the Location box, type location (where location is the fully qualified path to the locations for storing the computer backup).

    Do not back up the existing computer

    Discard any existing data on the target computer or deploy a new computer with no existing data.

    The Windows Deployment Wizard uses the ImageX utility to perform the backup. ImageX is not intended to be used as a part of the overall backup and disaster recovery process. Instead, ImageX is designed to create a backup of the target computer to assist in recovering user state migration information that might not have been captured correctly.

    Note   Windows Complete PC Backup is a feature of Windows Vista only. Microsoft Deployment uses the ImageX utility during migration because it works on all platforms that Microsoft Deployment supports. Use the Windows Complete PC Backup for enhanced disaster recovery protection after migration is complete.

  12. On the Specify the product key needed to install this operating system page (shown in Figure 10), in the Product key box, type product_key (where product_key is the product key to be assigned to the target computer), and then click Next.

    This wizard appears when the conditions in Table 30 are met.

    Table 30. Specify the product key needed to install this operating system Page Conditions

    Property

    Condition

    SkipProductKey

    Not equal to YES

    DeploymentType

    Not equal to REPLACE or CUSTOM

    Figure 10. Product Key page

    Figure 10. Product Key page

  13. On the Packages page (shown in Figure 11), in the Packages box, click the language pack to be installed, and then click Next.

    This wizard appears when the conditions in Table 31 are met.

    Table 31. Packages Page Conditions

    Property

    Condition

    SkipPackageDisplay

    Not equal to YES

    DeploymentType

    Not equal to REPLACE or CUSTOM

    ImageBuild

    The first character in the property is equal to 6 (which indicates the Windows Vista build), and there are active Packages to display to the user.

    Figure 11. Packages page

    Figure 11. Packages page

    For Windows Vista Ultimate, Windows Vista Enterprise, and all editions of Windows Server 2008, the team can select more than one language. For all other versions, select only one language.

    Note   In an Upgrade scenario, team members can add additional language packs. However, if the languages are not already installed in the earlier version of Windows or Windows PE, some problems in displaying fonts might occur.

  14. On the Locale Selection page (shown in Figure 12), select one of the options in Table 33 based on requirements, and then click Next.

    This wizard appears when the conditions in Table 32 are met.

    Table 32. Locale Selection Page Conditions

    Property

    Condition

    SkipLocaleSelection

    Not equal to YES

    DeploymentType

    Not equal to REPLACE or CUSTOM

    ImageBuild

    The first character in the property is equal to 6 (which indicates the Windows Vista build).

    Figure 13. Set the Time Zone page

    Figure 12. Locale Selection page

    Table 33. Locale Options

    In this box

    Select

    What is your Locale

    The default locale for the target operating system.

    Keyboard

    Keyboard locale to be used with the target operating system.

  15. On the Set the Time Zone page (shown in Figure 13), select the time zone where the target computer is located, and then click Next.

    This wizard appears when the conditions in Table 34 are met.

    Table 34. Set the Time Zone Page Conditions

    Property

    Condition

    SkipTimeZone

    Not equal to YES

    DeploymentType

    Not equal to REPLACE or CUSTOM

    Figure 14. Application Selection page

    Figure 13. Set the Time Zone page

  16. On the Select one or more applications to install page (shown in Figure 14), select the appropriate applications to deploy, and then click Next.

    This wizard appears when the conditions in Table 35 are met.

    Table 35. Select one or more applications to install Page Conditions

    Property

    Condition

    DeploymentType

    Not equal to REPLACE or UPGRADE

    SkipAppsOnUpgrade

    Not equal to YES

    IsThereAtLeastOneApplicationPresent

    Greater than one

    SkipApplications

    Not equal to YES

    Note   All of these conditions must evaluate as “true” for the pane to be displayed.  

    Figure 15. Administrator Password page

    Figure 14. Application Selection page

  17. On the Administrator Password page (shown in Figure 15), in the Administrator Password and Please confirm Administrator Password boxes, type password (where password is the password for the local built-in Administrator account on the target computer), and then click Next.

    Figure 16. Capture Image page

    Figure 15. Administrator Password page

    This wizard appears when the conditions in Table 36 are met.

    Table 36. Administrator Password Page Conditions

    Property

    Condition

    SkipAdminPassword

    Not equal to YES

    DeploymentType

    Not equal to REPLACE or CUSTOM

  18. On the Specify whether to capture an image page (shown in Figure 16), select one of the options in Table 37 based on requirements, and then click Next.

    This wizard appears when the conditions in Table 36 are met.

    Table 37. Specify whether to capture an image Page Conditions

    Property

    Condition

    SkipCapture

    Equal to NO

    DeploymentType

    Equal to NEWCOMPUTER

    JoinDomain

    Equal to “”

    Figure 17. BitLocker page

    Figure 16. Capture Image page

    Table 38. Image Capture Options

    Option

    Select this option to

    Capture an image of this reference computer

    Run Sysprep, and then capture an image of the target computer. Then, store the image in the location specified.

    In the Location box, type location (where location is the fully qualified path to the location for storing the image of the target computer).

    In the File name box, type file_name (where file_name is the name of the image file).

    Prepare to capture the machine

    Copy the required Sysprep files to the target computer, but do not initiate Sysprep. Use this option when the Image Capture Wizard in the SMS 2003 OSD Feature Pack will be used.

    Do not capture an image of this computer

    Deploy the target operating system to the target computer without capturing a Sysprep image of the computer.

  19. On the Specify the BitLocker configuration page (shown in Figure 17), select one of the options in Table 40 based on requirements, and then click Next.

    This wizard appears when the conditions in Table 39 are met.

    Table 39. Specify the BitLocker configuration Page Conditions

    Property

    Condition

    SkipBitLocker

    Not equal to YES

    DeploymentType

    Equal to REPLACE or CUSTOM

    DoCapture

    Not equal to YES

    ImageBuild

    The first character in the property is equal to 6 (which indicates the Windows Vista build)

    ImageFlags

    Equal to ENTERPRISE or ULTIMATE

    Figure 18. Credentials page

    Figure 17. BitLocker page

    Table 40. BitLocker Drive Encryption Configuration Options

    Option

    Select this option to

    Do not enable BitLocker for this computer

    Deploy the new operating system without activating BitLocker™ Drive Encryption.

    Enable BitLocker using TPM

    Activate BitLocker Drive Encryption and use Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 1.2 or later. Then, select one of the following options for using TPM:

    • To use TPM only, select the Enable BitLocker using TPM only option.

    • To use TPM with a personal identification number (PIN), select the Enable BitLocker using TPM and a PIN option; and, in the PIN box, type pin (where pin is the BitLocker Drive Encryption PIN for the target computer).

    • To use TPM with a startup key, select the Enable BitLocker using TPM and a startup key option.

    Enable BitLocker using only an external key

    Enable BitLocker Drive Encryption, and use a randomly generated, 48-character external key.

    Note   The default setting for Bitlocker Drive Encryption is always enabled.

  20. Complete the Specify credentials for connecting to network shares page (shown in Figure 18) based on the information in Table 42, and then click Next.

    This wizard appears when the conditions in Table 41 are met.

    Table 41. Specify credentials for connecting to network shares Page Conditions

    Property

    Condition

    UserID_isDirty

    Equal to TRUE

    UserID

    Equal to “”

    DeploymentType

    Not equal to REPLACE

    DeploymentMethod

    Not equal to MEDIA

    Figure 19. Ready page

    Figure 18. Credentials page

    These credentials are used to access network shared folders used during the deployment process. These shared folders include folders used to store user state migration data or image backups of the target computer.

    Table 42. Credentials Options

    Option

    Type

    User Name

    user_name (where user_name is the user name of the account that has the appropriate permissions on the network shared folders used by the deployment scripts).

    Domain

    domain (where domain is the name of the domain where the user account, specified in the User Name box, is located).

    Password

    password (where password is the password for the user account specified in the User Name box).

  21. Review the information on the Ready to begin page (shown in Figure 19), and then click Begin.

    The Windows Deployment Wizard finishes, and deployment of the new operating system begins.

    Figure 19. Ready page

    Figure 19. Ready page

    Note   To expand the details of this deployment, click Details.

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