How to deploy Windows 11 with Windows Deployment Services (WDS)
Published March 26, 2022 by Danny Moran
Table of Contents
Introduction
Windows Deployment Services (WDS) makes it possible to install Windows-based operating systems via the network, eliminating the requirement for a CD, DVD, or USB device. In this guide, I’ll show you how to install Windows 11 using WDS, even though Microsoft has partly depreciated the functionality, recommending that you use tools such as Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT), Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (formerly System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM)).
How to deploy Windows 11 with Windows Deployment Services (WDS) video
How to deploy Windows 11 with Windows Deployment Services (WDS)
Installing Windows Deployment Services
Run PowerShell as an Administrator
Run the following command:
Install-WindowsFeature WDSOpen Server Manager, press Tools, then press Windows Deployment Services.
In the WDS panel, expand the Servers drop down in the left hand column.
Right-click your local server in the servers drop down and press configure server.
Before you begin, check your your environment meets the requirements, and if it does, press Next.
Select if you are integrating your WDS server with Active Directory, or if you are setting up a standalone server and press Next. (For this guide, we are integrating with Active Directory.)
Enter the location where you want to store your WDS files. By default, it stores it in C:\RemoteInstall. For best performance, you should change the path to a secondary drive, however using the default location works fine. Press Next once you have entered the path location. If you leave it on the C drive, then you will get a warning, however, you can just press Yes to continue.
For the PXE settings, set it to Respond to all client computer (known and unknown) and then press Next.
Untick Add images to the server now, as we will add the boot image at a later stage, and press Finish.
Adding the Windows 10 boot image to Windows Deployment Services
You need to use the Windows 10 boot image. Using the Windows 11 boot image will not work as Microsoft has blocked it from being used with WDS.
Copy your Windows 10 installation ISO file to the server.
Right-click the ISO file and press Mount.
Right-click Boot Images, and then press Add Boot Image…
Press Browse, navigate to the mounted drive, select sources, and then select boot.wim and press Open and then press Next.
Enter a descriptive image name and description and then press Next.
Press Next to start the boot.wim import.
Press finish to close the boot images import wizard.
Adding the Windows 11 install image to Windows Deployment Services
Copy your Windows 11 installation ISO file to the server.
Right-click the ISO file and press Mount.
Right-click Install Images, and then press Add Install Image…
Press Browse, navigate to the mounted drive, select sources, and then select install.wim and press Open and then press Next.
Select the install images that you want to import by ticking the boxes, untick use default names, and then press Next.
Enter a descriptive image name and description and then press Next. (repeat this step for all install images selected)
Press Next to start the boot.wim import.
Press finish to close the boot images import wizard.
Install Windows 11 over the network
You should now be able to network boot devices on your local network and boot into the imported boot.wim file.
Once you have booted into the install media over the network, follow the install wizard as you would if it was a local install file.