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Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010 Released

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The new version of the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT 2010) has been released today. MDT is the recommended toolset to automate server and desktop deployments. Having used it for about 2 years I find it the best tool for deploying new Windows computers. Every computer which enters into service in the library system has its operating system and its applications deployed onto using MDT.

Highlights of Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010

  • Unified tools and processes required for desktop and server deployment in a common deployment console and collection of guidance.
  • Reduced deployment time and standardized desktop and server images, along with improved security and ongoing configuration management.
  • Fully automated Zero Touch Installation deployments by leveraging System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Service Pack 2 Release Candidate and Windows deployment tools. For those without a System Center Configuration Manager 2007 infrastructure, MDT leverages Windows deployment tools for Lite Touch Installation deployments.

New Features for Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT)2010

  • Access deployment shares from anywhere on the network and replicate files and settings across organizational boundaries or sites.
  • Organize and manage drivers, operating systems, applications, packages, and task sequences with an improved UI.
  • Automate UI functionality using the new Windows PowerShell command line interface.

Now that you know what it can do for you, your next step is to download Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010. You can learn more about MDT by visiting the MDT site on TechNet.

Installing Windows Vista SP2 with Microsoft Deployment Toolkit using an Existing Image

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If you are like me, you already have your Vista image built and applied to your MDT installation. Now that Windows Vista SP2 has been released, you are wondering how best to deploy it. With MDT you have several ways to do it.

You could apply your image to a computer, install the service pack and recapture the image. You can do a fresh install from a Vista with SP2 media, add your apps and capture. I decided on a third way of doing it. Add the service pack to the applications. Call the executable and run the update in silent mode.

In my screenshot below, you see how I added the application as part of my MDT install. 

MDT - Microsoft Deployment Tookit Screenshot

I call the the command – Windows6.0-KB948465-X86.exe /quiet /norestart /nodialog

Add the application install as task sequence in your deployment or check it off with your litetouch install and away you go. It runs the update on the computer as it is deploying and now you have a machine, running Windows Vista SP2 right off the hop.

Eventually down the road, I plan to rebuild my image and capture it. But for now, this works fine for me.

Windows Vista SP2 – How To Update Existing WIM Files

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I am looking at updating my Vista images to SP2 today. I have existing WIM files I use for my deployments using MDT.

I was wondering, can I service these images offline. Meaning, can I add Vista SP2 to my WIM file without having to boot them, add the service pack and then re-sysprep and capture the image file.

 The answer is no according to TechNet. Their instructions is to bring the WIM file online. Then install Windows Vista SP2. Finally, sysprep the image again and recapture. Once the image is recaptured, re-import the image into MDT.

The full instructions for installing SP2 for Vista can be found on TechNet at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd335037.aspx#Scen4

I was really hoping for an offline method for updating, but this will give me a chance to freshen the image as well with newer versions of some of the other applications.