Importing a supported version of WinPE 11 for ARM64 and an older version of WinPE 11 for x64 architecture

Products

• Deployment Solution

Issue/Introduction

With the release of Deployment Solution 8.8 GA, we now support imaging ARM64 architecture. However, the only supported version of WinPE 11 for ARM64 architecture is 24H2

Some customers may prefer or need an older version of WinPE 11 for x64 architecture

However, the Deployment Solution console UI only allows the import of one version of WinPE 11

What is the best way to import two different versions of WinPE 11 for ARM64 and x64 architecture?

Environment

Deployment Solution 8.8 and later

Resolution

Ideally, it is best to use matching versions of WinPE 11 for x64 and ARM64 architecture. However, if there is a need to have an older version for x64 because of preboot driver compatibility issues, here are the recommended steps for installing and importing two versions of WinPE 11 ADK

1. Log in to the Notification Server using the AppID or an account with administrative rights to the Filesystem and Console
   
   
2. Open Control Panel > Programs and Features > Uninstall any pre-existing installations of:
   
   'Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit'
   AND
   'Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit Windows Preinstallation Environment Add-ons'
   
   
   
   
   
3. Navigate to <ITMS Install directory>\Altiris\Deployment\BDC\ and delete the folder 'waik_winpe11'
4. Navigate to <ITMS Install directory>\Altiris\Deployment\BDC\ and open PreBootOs.ini as administrator in a text editor. Find entries for 'WINPE11_X64' and 'WINPE11_ARM64' sections and change 'INSTALLED=True' to 'INSTALLED=False' for both if needed then save the file.
5. Download the oldest required version of ADK and Add-ons for WinPE 11 and x64 architecture first and install them with UAC disabled
   
   
6. Once installed in the default location, navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\. Copy the '10' folder in this location and save it in an alternate location like C:\Program Files (x86)\ADK_Copy (as an example)
   
   
7. Run 'BootWiz.exe' as administrator from <Install_directory>\Altiris\Deployment\BDC\bootwiz on the Notification Server
   
   
8. Navigate to 'Tools' > 'Install Pre-Boot Operating Systems...' highlight the line containing WinPE 11 x64, then click 'Browse...' and navigate to the location where you copied the '10' folder (ex: c:\program files (x86)\ADK_Copy\10). Select the '10' folder, click open, then click 'Next >' in the Boot Disk Creator window.
   
   
9. Once WinPE 11 for x64 is imported, uninstall Windows ADK and Add-ons from Control Panel > Programs and Features.
   
   
10. Next, download and install the later supported ADK and Add-ons for ARM64 and repeat the process. Copy the '10' folder from C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\, save in an alternate location like C:\Program Files (x86)\ADK_Copy2 (different directory than last copy)
    
    
11. Run 'BootWiz.exe' as administrator from <Install_directory>\Altiris\Deployment\BDC\bootwiz on the Notification Server
    
    
12. Navigate to 'Tools' > 'Install Pre-Boot Operating Systems...' highlight the line containing WinPE 11 ARM64, then click 'Browse...' and navigate to the location where you copied the '10' folder (ex: c:\program files (x86)\ADK_Copy2\10). Select the '10' folder, click open, then click 'Next >' in the Boot Disk Creator window.
    
    
13. Once this step is complete, open Control Panel > Programs and Features > Uninstall the ARM64 version installation:
    
    'Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit'
    AND
    'Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit Windows Preinstallation Environment Add-ons'
    
    
14. Once finished, you should now see 2 different versions of WinPE/ADK in the console UI for x64 and ARM64
    
    
    
    
15. You are now ready to build a PXE or Preboot configuration in the console UI. Be sure to select the correct architecture type for the machines you are imaging