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10/25/2021

Here's what you'll need to start testing and deploying devices:

PCs

Here's how we'll refer to them:

Technician PC: Your work PC. This PC should have at least 15GB of free space for installing the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (Windows ADK) and working with Windows images.
Reference PC: A test PC or tablet that represents all of the devices in a single model line; for example, the Fabrikam Notebook PC Series 1.

You'll reformat this device's disk as part of the walkthrough.

Storage

One USB key that you'll format with two partitions. The USB key must be at least 16GB. This drive will be formatted, so save your data off of it first. It shouldn't be a Windows-to-Go key or a key marked as a non-removable drive.

Here's how to format your USB key with two partitions. The first partition will be formatted FAT32 and called WinPE. We'll use this partition to boot to WinPE. The second partition will be called USB-B. We'll use this drive to store your Windows images and other customizations that we'll use throughout this lab.

From the Command Prompt:

diskpart
list disk
select <disk number>
clean
rem === Create the Windows PE partition. ===
create partition primary size=2000
format quick fs=fat32 label="WinPE"
assign letter=P
active
rem === Create a data partition. ===
create partition primary
format fs=ntfs quick label="USB-B"
assign letter=O
list vol
exit

Note

You can use two separate USB drives for this lab. If you decide to use two drives, format one as FAT32 and one as NTFS.

Software

Create a folder called on the technician PC called C:\temp\lab. When working with images, use local storage rather than external sources like network shares or removable drives. This reduces the risk of interrupting the build process from a temporary network issue or from disconnecting the USB device.

To complete this guide, get the recommended downloads in this section from https://www.microsoftoem.com.

The version numbers of the Windows ADK, the Windows image you're deploying, and the languages and features you're adding must match.

Download the following, and place the files into C:\temp\lab.

Collateral


Windows installation media
Language and Optional Features ISO
Inbox Apps ISO
Latest Office OPK

Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK)

Download the latest version of the Windows ADK and WinPE add-on.

Drivers

We also discuss how to add hardware drivers and other Windows apps in this guide. If you need to add additional drivers to your image, you'll need to contact your hardware or software manufacturers.

Sample files

The Sample scripts topic has scripts that you'll use throughout the lab. Copy the scripts into a folder called Deployment on the NTFS partition of the USB drive.

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