Installing a Windows OS with Deployment Solution

Products

• Deployment Solution

Issue/Introduction

What are the basic steps for installing a Windows Operating System with Deployment Solution?

Environment

Deployment Solution 8.x

DS 8.x

ITMS 8.x

Resolution

The guide below can be used as a basic reference when working with Deployment Solution and installing Windows OS's via ISO on managed computers

The steps assume Deployment Solution is installed with ITMS, and DS licenses are available. Please refer to Microsoft documentation for computer/BIOS setting requirements for the version of Windows you are installing.

1. 1. (Optional in some environments) - install the Symantec Management Agent with Deployment Solution plugin on a client machine you would like to reinstall Windows on. If the computer doesn't already have an OS or is bare metal, proceed to step 2.
      
      
   2. Mount the Windows OS installation .iso on a Windows machine and copy the 'sources' folder from the root of the mounted .iso to an alternate location. Zip up the 'sources' folder and transfer it to the NS or a machine with access to the Symantec Management Console. Import OS files into Deployment Solution by navigating to Settings > Deployment > OS Files. Click 'Add SOI Package, provide a package name, description, and specify platform and architecture. Click 'Select archive' when finished and select the zipped up sources folder.
      
      
   3. Once the OS package has been added, you can start building a deployment job. Navigate to Manage > Jobs and Tasks then create a new job and give it a name.
      
      
      1. In most scenarios the following or similar task sequence needs to be included in the job:
         
         
         
         
      2. A 'Boot To' task should first boot the machine to a version of WinPE matching the major OS version of the install. Example: If you are installing Windows 11, use a WinPE 11 Automation Folder, PXE configuration, or boot disk to boot the machine into the required WinPE OS.
         
         
      3. Add an 'Erase Disk' task to the job to wipe the drive clean and convert to GPT (for modern UEFI machines).
         
         
      4. Add a 'Partition Disk' task next to create the EFI boot and Primary NTFS partition (minimum requirement for GPT/UEFI)
         
         
      5. Add an 'Install Windows OS' task. Select the OS source imported earlier and enter the product key. Optionally, configure agent settings and desired plugins. Install drivers from the Driver Database as necessary. Then select the appropriate 'Configuration' using inventory data, default settings, or provide a Windows answer file. Optionally, select 'Advanced...' to view advanced settings and adjust as needed.
         
         
         
         
   4. Once the Install task has been added, 'Save changes' and schedule the job on a managed client or add the job to Initial Deployment so it can be used on a bare metal machine booting to WinPE via PXE or boot disk. Refer to Automation logs if issues are seen after booting to WinPE.