Microsoft Deployment Toolkit

MDT can help build an automated installation source for deploying Windows operating systems from Windows 7, Windows 10 and Windows Server 2008 onwards, from either a single machine or a central server distribution tool, such as Windows Deployment Services (WDS) or System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM).{{Cite web |url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/b/3/a/b3a89fae-f7bf-4e7c-b208-223b991e9c30/Optional%20-%20MDT%202012%20Print-Ready%20Documentation.zip |title=Microsoft (August 2012). Using the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit. |access-date=2013-02-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914184145/http://download.microsoft.com/download/b/3/a/b3a89fae-f7bf-4e7c-b208-223b991e9c30/Optional%20-%20MDT%202012%20Print-Ready%20Documentation.zip |archive-date=2019-09-14 |url-status=dead }} Device drivers, Windows updates and software can be included with the build.{{Cite web|last=Sharwood|first=Simon|title=Microsoft automates Office 365 installs|url=https://www.theregister.com/2012/04/23/microsoft_deployment_toolkit_2012/|access-date=2021-03-27|website=www.theregister.com|language=en}}

All the software intended for installation (Operating System, drivers, updates and applications) are added to a pool of available software and packaged into deployment packages.{{Cite web |url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/b/3/a/b3a89fae-f7bf-4e7c-b208-223b991e9c30/Optional%20-%20MDT%202012%20Print-Ready%20Documentation.zip |title=Microsoft (August 2012). Quick Start Guide for Lite Touch Installation. |access-date=2013-02-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914184145/http://download.microsoft.com/download/b/3/a/b3a89fae-f7bf-4e7c-b208-223b991e9c30/Optional%20-%20MDT%202012%20Print-Ready%20Documentation.zip |archive-date=2019-09-14 |url-status=dead }} The Operating System and drivers to be included with this package are selected, and the administrator password, owner information, and product key are specified.{{Cite web |url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/b/3/a/b3a89fae-f7bf-4e7c-b208-223b991e9c30/Optional%20-%20MDT%202012%20Print-Ready%20Documentation.zip |title=Microsoft (August 2012). Quick Start Guide for Configuration Manager 2012. |access-date=2013-02-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914184145/http://download.microsoft.com/download/b/3/a/b3a89fae-f7bf-4e7c-b208-223b991e9c30/Optional%20-%20MDT%202012%20Print-Ready%20Documentation.zip |archive-date=2019-09-14 |url-status=dead }} Microsoft Deployment Toolkit generates a custom Windows PE (Preinstallation Environment) image that allows client machines to install the assembled deployment packages over the network from the MDT server. This Windows PE disk image can be burned to and booted from a CD, or booted with Windows Deployment Services. When selecting the package to deploy, software that has been included in the pool may also be selected for installation.

The Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) supports three types of deployments: Zero Touch Installation (ZTI), Lite Touch Installation (LTI), and User Driven Installation (UDI). ZTI is a fully automated deployment scheme in which installation requires no user interaction whatsoever. UDI deployments require full manual intervention to respond to every installation prompt, such as machine name, password or language setting.{{Cite web |url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/b/3/a/b3a89fae-f7bf-4e7c-b208-223b991e9c30/Optional%20-%20MDT%202012%20Print-Ready%20Documentation.zip |title=Microsoft (August 2012). Quick Start Guide for User Driven Installation. |access-date=2013-02-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914184145/http://download.microsoft.com/download/b/3/a/b3a89fae-f7bf-4e7c-b208-223b991e9c30/Optional%20-%20MDT%202012%20Print-Ready%20Documentation.zip |archive-date=2019-09-14 |url-status=dead }} ZTI and UDI deployments both require a Microsoft System Center infrastructure. ZTI deployments require a persistent network connection to the distribution point. LTI deployments require limited user interaction. An LTI deployment needs very little infrastructure, so it can be installed from a network share, or media using either a USB flash drive or an optical disc.

• Remote Installation Services
• Microsoft Configuration Manager (formerly known as Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM), System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) or SMS)
• User State Migration Tool
• Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) (previously known as Windows Automated Installation Kit)
• Windows Deployment Services
• Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE)

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• {{Official website}}

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Category:Windows administration