Phase 4: Deploying Your Windows Image

Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2

Note

This content applies to Windows 7. For Windows 8 content, see Windows Deployment with the Windows ADK.

This section provides instructions on how to build and deploy Windows® 7 and Windows Server® 2008 R2 onto new computers.

In This Section

In Phase 3, you created an answer file that contains customized settings that are applied during Windows® Setup.

This section contains information about deploying Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 using multiple methods. The following table describes these deployment options.

Best Practices for Image Deployment

Describes deployment options and best practices common to multiple-deployment strategies.

Deploy Windows by Using Windows Setup

Describes installing Windows by using a product DVD with an answer file (DVD-boot method).

Capture and Apply Windows Images

Describes installing Windows by capturing a generalized image and deploying it to multiple computers using image-capturing tools.

Deploy Windows Using Windows Deployment Services

Describes installing Windows by using a server-based deployment.

Deploy Windows on a Virtual Hard Disk with Native Boot

Describes installing Windows from an image to a virtual hard drive (VHD) file that can boot natively on designated hardware.

Other Deployment Options

Discusses other methods of deployment, such as third-party image capture tools and setting up a Preboot Execution Environment (PXE).

See Also

Concepts

Preinstallation Methods
Phase 3: Preparing and Customizing Your Windows Image
Phase 5: Managing and Servicing Your Windows Image