Deploying Windows 11 with the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) (2023)

The Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) has long been a popular free deployment solution that allows companies to deploy image-based installations of Windows. After Windows 11 is released, many companies may want to update their images to provide the latest version of the operating system.

Deploying Windows 11 with MDT is pretty easy. However, to ensure that your Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) is compatible with Windows 11 deployment, you must ensure that your MDT installation is the latest available. You can find and download itlast versionfrom MDT here.

An important update fixes a boot loop issue that you should definitely download and apply to your Microsoft Deployment Toolkit server. The update is availableHere. The patch lets you replace the bootable media folders and regenerate the bootable media. Below is an image showing how to regenerate the bootable media in MDT.

Steps to deploy Windows 11 with MDT

The overall process of deploying Windows 11 with MDT workflow includes the following:

1. In the Deployment Workbench, create a Windows 11 operating system folder.
2. Import the Windows 11 operating system files.
3. Create a new Windows 11 task sequence.
4. Create and capture using Windows 11 task sequence.
5. Deploy the Windows 11 image captured with MDT.

Import Windows 11 operating system

The first task is to create the folder that will contain the Windows 11 operating system files. Right click on theoperating systemsFolder and create a new folder for Windows 11.

Now we can import the operating system files for Windows 11. To do this, right-click on the newly created oneWindows11folder and selectImport operating system.

Choose as operating system typeComplete set of source files.

Mount your downloaded Windows 11 ISO as virtual media and select the virtual DVD drive.

You may find that theImport operating systemThe wizard will skip the setup and WDS screens if you chooseFull operating systemfiles.

The summary screen shows the configured OSType, OSDestination, OSSource and MoveOS options. ClickNext.

The Windows 11 operating system has been imported successfully, as shown on theConfirmationScreen.

You should now see several images listed under the new Windows 11 folder created in MDT.

Create a new task sequence to deploy Windows 11

The Microsoft Deployment Toolkit task sequence consists of a series of steps that automate image deployment. It represents an essential capability of MDT as it allows almost any adjustment of the image. For example, you can use it to configure all the settings available in Windows SIM, add drivers or language packs and start your own PowerShell scripts at any time.

Let's create the task sequence for a Windows 11 deployment.

When you initiateNew task sequence, a new wizard for creating the new task sequence will start.

ImSelect templateDialogue, let's just choose theStandard-Client-Tasksequenzin our simple example. MDT offers a wide range of templates, including one for Windows Server installation or a custom template that you can design from scratch.

Next, select the specific Windows 11 image you want to use for deployment.

Choose your product key installation options. Here I choose not to provide a product key.

Now enter the details of the operating system settings, including the full name, the organization and the optional Internet Explorer homepage (no longer relevant).

The next step allows you to choose your admin password settings. Finally, look at the summary screen to ensure that the options selected are the intended ones.

On the confirmation screen that appears at the end of theNew Task Sequence Wizard,Click Finish to create the task sequence.

Build and capture the image using the task sequence

In the first part of the process, we boot the VM from PXE over the network instead of from ISO. So there is no need for an ISO image or burning physical media to boot, such as. B. a DVD. However, you can also use an ISO "burned" to USB or create physical media as it works the same way.

If you are wondering where the images come from, they are created when you create a new deployment share in MDT in the <Deployment Share>\Boot folder.

Right-click to add the boot image to Windows Deployment Services (WDS) for PXE bootBoot-Imagesin your Windows Deployment Services console and selectAdd boot image. This is where you upload the LiteTouch images created by MDT or other custom boot images.

To allow your Windows Deployment Services (WDS) server to respond to PXE requests from clients, right-click the server in your Windows Deployment Services console and selectCharacteristics. Under thePXE responseOn the tab, select the setting for how the WDS server should respond and to which clients.

After configuring WDS with the MDT images, you should be able to PXE boot a client and choose from the available boot images.

Select the Windows 11 task sequence created earlier.

Select the computer details here. I'll leave this at the automatically generated oneComputernameAndjoin a working group.

Select the storage location of the image capture and the file name.

The task sequence builds and captures the Windows 11 reference image.

Deploy the Windows 11 image to a target computer

The final step along the way is testing the Windows 11 deployment on a target workstation. Boot PXE from the MDT media and select the Windows 11 task sequence again as shown above.

Set your computer details, including the computer name and workgroup or domain details.

Next, select from the image capture screenDo not take an image of this computer. Instead, deploy the captured Windows 11 image to a target workstation.

Windows 11 image deployment will start and Windows 11 will eventually boot on the target workstation.

The MDT automation works in our favor here as the installation progresses through the mini-setup wizard and checks for updates.

Deploying Windows 11 using MDT completes successfully on the target computer

Closing remarks

Even though the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit is "aging," it's still a viable way to capture and deploy Windows 11 images.

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Many organizations are investing heavily in the tools provided by MDT, so it's great to see that we can still capture and deploy Windows 11 images using the MDT solution.