Windows Deployment – Installation Methods
This article provides an overview of the primary installation methods available for deploying Windows operating systems in enterprise environments.
Supported Installation Methods
| Method | Description | Typical Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| WIM‑Based Install | Uses Windows Imaging Format (WIM) files to apply a captured image. | Mass deployments, OEM imaging, refresh scenarios. |
| Micropartition (PReP) | Deploys a minimal Windows Core image before adding packages. | IoT, thin devices, secure boot environments. |
| PXE Network Boot | Boots the target system via DHCP/TFTP and runs a Windows PE installer. | Datacenter roll‑outs, image refreshes without physical media. |
| USB/Flash Media | Installation from a bootable USB stick containing WinPE and setup files. | Field deployments, small‑scale installations. |
| SCCM/ConfigMgr | Leverages System Center Configuration Manager for task‑sequence driven installations. | Enterprise‑wide managed deployments, task‑sequence customization. |
| Windows Deployment Services (WDS) | Server role that provides network boot images and PXE boot services. | Hybrid environments, on‑premise network installations. |
Choosing the Right Method
When selecting an installation method, consider the following factors:
- Scale: Large‑scale vs. small‑scale deployment.
- Network Availability: Whether a reliable network is present.
- Hardware Constraints: Device type, storage, and boot options.
- Management Overhead: Need for ongoing configuration management.
Sample PowerShell Script for WIM‑Based Deployment
# Deploy a WIM image to a target volume
$ImagePath = "D:\Deploy\Win10_Enterprise.wim"
$Index = 1
$TargetDrive = "C:"
Write-Host "Applying image..."
dism /Apply-Image /ImageFile:$ImagePath /Index:$Index /ApplyDir:$TargetDrive
Write-Host "Configuring bootloader..."
bcdboot $TargetDrive\Windows /s $TargetDrive
Write-Host "Deployment complete."