Windows Deployment Resource Guide
A number of tools and resources are available to help IT professionals simplify and streamline Windows deployment. Here’s an overview of these key resources—where to get them, when to use them and how to learn more:
Joshua Hoffman
Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit
The Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit (MAP) includes all the documentation, guidance and tools you need to evaluate your current desktop or server environment. MAP includes tools to help you inventory, analyze and report on the hardware and software in your environment to prepare for deployment. It can also help identify any potential roadblocks (software incompatibilities, unsupported hardware and so on) so you can mitigate those issues prior to deployment.
Additional Resources:
Introduction to MAP Toolkit 5.0 (video)
Application Compatibility Toolkit
In the final stages of deployment, you may discover applications not immediately compatible with the new OS. The Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) can help you identify and mitigate specific compatibility issues. With ACT, you can identify common compatibility issues and often resolve them with “shims,” or modifications that help work around known compatibility problems. ACT also connects you to a community of other IT professionals who can help you identify and resolve compatibility issues.
Additional resources:
Getting Started with Application Compatibility Toolkit (video)
Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010
Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 (MDT) is the comprehensive and recommended framework to use when deploying Windows in an enterprise environment. MDT provides exhaustive guidance and a powerful toolset for customizing, automating and deploying new Windows 7 desktops. It also supports deploying Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2003. Using a centralized control panel called the Deployment Workbench, MDT completely streamlines the process of deploying a new OS. It also provides thorough documentation on many common deployment scenarios and approaches, including Lite-Touch Installation (LTI), Zero-Touch Installation (ZTI) and User-Driven Installation (UDI).
Additional Resources:
Deploying Windows 7 with Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (video)
Michael Niehaus’s Windows Deployment Blog
Windows Automated Installation Kit
Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK) has all the individual tools leveraged by MDT for creating, customizing and deploying Windows images. WAIK includes the following tools:
| Tool | Description |
| Windows System Image Manager (Windows SIM) | Opens Windows images, creates answer files and manages distribution shares and configuration sets |
| ImageX | Captures, creates, modifies and applies Windows images |
| Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) | Applies updates, drivers and language packs to a Windows image. DISM is available in all installations of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 |
| Windows Pre-Installation Environment (Windows PE) | This is a minimal OS environment used to deploy Windows. WAIK includes several tools to build and configure Windows PE environments |
| User State Migration Tool (USMT) | Migrates user data from a previous Windows OS to Windows 7 |
Additional Resources:
Exploring Windows Automated Installation Kit 2.0 (video)
Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC
When dealing with application-compatibility issues, you may find some incompatibilities you can’t resolve with tools like ACT. Virtualization may be able to help in these cases. Windows XP Mode, included as part of Windows Virtual PC, makes it easy to install and run Windows XP-compatible applications on Windows 7. Windows XP Mode creates a virtual instance of Windows XP on your Windows 7 desktop, so you can install legacy applications within that virtual environment while still reaping the benefits of Windows 7.
Additional resources:
Windows Virtual PC Documentation and Videos
Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V)
Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) is part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP). MDOP is available for test and evaluation for MSDN and TechNet subscribers in accordance with MDSN and TechNet agreements. MDOP subscribers can download the software at the Microsoft Volume Licensing site. Visit the enterprise how-to-buy page to find out how to purchase MDOP for your business.
MED-V provides more-advanced application virtualization technology to help resolve application-compatibility issues in enterprise environments. MED-V lets you run applications within a virtual machine running an older OS. It does so in a way that’s completely seamless and transparent to the user. Applications appear and operate as if they were installed on the desktop. Users can even pin them to the task bar. For IT administrators, MED-V helps deploy, provision, control and support virtual environments.
Additional Resources:
MED-V Administration Video Series
.jpg "Joshua Hoffman")
Joshua Hoffman* is the former editor in chief of TechNet Magazine. He’s now an independent author and consultant, advising clients on technology and audience-oriented marketing. Hoffman also serves as editor in chief of ResearchAccess.com, a site devoted to growing and enriching the market research community. He lives in New York City.*