Working With The Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2013 – Part 1: Installation

Hello All,

Recently I have had to create some documentation at work for creating images for use with System Center 2012 Configuration Manager (SCCM), by using the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT). Therefore, I figured it would be of benefit to provide that same level of documentation on the site. So, let’s get started with MDT.

MDT PreRequisites (WADK)

Firstly, in order to fully use the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT), you need to download and install the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (WADK).

Since we will be using the latest version of MDT (version 2013 as of this post), that means we need to use the WADK for Windows 8.1

Start by downloading the WADK for Windows 8.1 here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/download/details.aspx?id=39982.

After the download is complete, start the installation by running the adksetup.exe file.

On the Specify Location screen, choose the location you want to install the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit for Windows 8.1, and then click Next.

On the Join the Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP) screen, choose whether or not you want to join and click Next.

IMPORTANT: Although initially you may hesitate to joining any program that sends data to Microsoft, it is actually recommended. The reason is, Microsoft uses this information on how their software is used, along with errors/crashes, issues, etc. to improve them. So if you think about it, the improvements in the interface, usability, functionality, etc. would not come about unless end users joined these programs and allowed Microsoft the opportunity to improve their products. That’s at least my thoughts.

On the License Agreement screen, read the terms and then click Accept.

On the Select The Features You Want To Install screen, obviously select the features you want, then click Install. If you just want to use the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) for building and creating Windows deployment images, select the Deployment Tools. Since I am installing this in my lab for learning purposes, I will be installing all features.

For further details about each tool available, please see the Details section on the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit for Windows 8.1 download page.

The Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit for Windows 8.1 will first download all the files required, and then initiate the installation.

Once the installation is completed, click Close.

Now that the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit for Windows 8.1 prerequisite has been installed, we can move onto the installation of the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT).

Here is a video walk through:

 

Installing the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2013

Now that we have the prerequisite (the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit) installed, lets install MDT 2013.

Start by downloading the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-ca/windows/dn475741.aspx.

After the download is complete, start the installation by running the MicrosoftDeploymentToolkit2013_x64.msi file.

NOTE: There are 2 different version of the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit installer, one for x86 and another for x64. If you are unsure which one to install, it is based on your OS architecture. For example, I am installing the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) on Windows Server 2012 R2, which is only a 64-bit Operating System. If you are installing it on an Administrator’s workstation (i.e. Windows 7), check if you are running either the 32-bit or 64-bit version.

On the Welcome screen, click Next.

On the License Agreement screen, read the terms, and check the “I accept the terms in the License Agreement” checkbox, then click Next.

On the Custom Setup screen, you can choose to install the documentation along with the tools and templates. You can also specify the location you want to install to. Make appropriate selections/changes and then click Next.

On the Customer Experience Improvement Program screen, choose whether or not you want to join and click Next.

IMPORTANT: Although initially you may hesitate to joining any program that sends data to Microsoft, it is actually recommended. The reason is, Microsoft uses this information on how their software is used, along with errors/crashes, issues, etc. to improve them. So if you think about it, the improvements in the interface, usability, functionality, etc. would not come about unless end users joined these programs and allowed Microsoft the opportunity to improve their products. That’s at least my thoughts.

On the Ready To Install Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2013 screen, click Install.

Once the installation is complete, click Finish.

We now have finished installing the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2013.

In another post, we will walk through how to create a Deployment Share to use the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit to build and capture a Windows image for use in Operating System Deployments.

Here is a video walk through: