Create a provisioning package with Windows desktop applications

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You can add Windows desktop applications and other data in Audit mode by capturing Windows desktop applications and data into a provisioning package. As new builds of Windows are released and you prepare for different markets, you can mix and match the Windows images and provisioning packages, rather than rebuilding and customizing the images each time.

Once you've captured the provisioning package, you can add it to your image.

The recovery tools can also use this provisioning package. When your users refresh or reset their device the device keeps their installed Windows updates, plus the updates in this provisioning package.

Step 1: Prepare a copy of ScanState

  1. On your technician PC, plug in a USB key or drive.

  2. In File Explorer, create a new folder on a USB key, for example: D:\ScanState x64.

    md "d:\ScanState x64"

  3. On your technician PC, copy the files from C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Assessment and Deployment Kit\User State Migration Tool\amd64 to the a folder on the USB drive:

    copy "C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Assessment and Deployment Kit\User State Migration Tool\amd64" "D:\ScanState x64"

  4. Copy the files from C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Assessment and Deployment Kit\Windows Setup\amd64\Sources into the same folder on your USB drive:

    copy "C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Assessment and Deployment Kit\Windows Setup\amd64\Sources" "D:\ScanState x64"

Step 2: Install a Windows desktop application in audit mode

Install Windows desktop applications and any drivers that require installation (as opposed to .inf-style drivers.)

  1. On the reference device, install Windows and boot the device. If a fresh image is already installed, start the reference device. The device will boot to the Out-of-box experience (OOBE).
  2. Press Ctrl+Shift+F3 to enter Audit mode. The device will boot to the desktop, and the System Preparation Tool (Sysprep) appears. You can close Sysprep.
  3. Install a Windows desktop application application.

Step 3: Save your updates to a provisioning package

Capture your updates into a provisioning package:

First, plug the USB key with ScanState into the reference device.

  • If you'd like to keep a copy of this provisioning package and deploy it to other devices, save the file to a USB drive.

    Capture the changes into the provisioning package, and save it on the USB key.

    D:\ScanState_x64\scanstate.exe /apps /ppkg D:\Provisioning\ClassicApps.ppkg /o /c /v:13 /l:D:\ScanState.log

    where D is the letter of the drive with ScanState.

  • For build-to-order devices, you can wrap up these changes and prepare the device for immediate delivery. Capture the changes to provisioning package, and save it as C:\Recovery\Customizations\usmt.ppkg:

    D:\ScanState_x64\scanstate.exe /apps /ppkg C:\Recovery\Customizations\usmt.ppkg /o /c /v:13 /l:D:\ScanState.log

Step 4: Prepare the device for an end user

  • For build-to-order devices, prepare the device for the end user: Right-click Start, select Command Prompt (Admin), and run the following command:

    C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\sysprep /oobe /shutdown

    The Sysprep tool reseals the device. This process can take several minutes. After the process completes, the device shuts down automatically. You can now send the device to the customer.