- Lab
- Core Tech
Creating a Windows Answer File for Automated Installation and Deployment on Windows Server 2022
In this lab, you’ll gain hands-on experience using the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (WAK) to create Windows Answer Files for automated installation and deployment of Windows Server 2022. When you’re finished, you’ll have deployed the tools required to host your deployments and create Windows Answer Files, customized them with your desired installation options, and validated them using the Windows System Image Manager’s (SIM) validation feature.
Path Info
Table of Contents
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Challenge
Getting Started in the Lab Environment
Here are the initial instructions and explanation of the lab environment. Read this while your environment is busy creating itself from nothing. Yes, this violates physics; we know. How fun!
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Challenge
Set Up Your Development Environment
To start this lab, you’ll deploy the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK), the Preinstallation Environment Add-ons for ADK (PE ADK), and the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT). You’ll use these tools to carry out tasks in the rest of the lab.
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Challenge
Create a New Windows Answer File with the Windows ADK
In this challenge, you’ll use the Deployment Workbench to create a Deployment Share. You’ll add a Windows Server 2022 image to it, create a Task Sequence, and update your Deployment Share so you can then customize and validate your Windows Answer file in the next challenge.
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Challenge
Customize the Windows Answer File with Installation Options
You’ll use the Windows System Image Manager to access and customize the Windows Answer file you’ve created in the previous challenge. You’ll learn how to add settings to the Windows Answer file, like adding license keys and specifying local user accounts.
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Challenge
Validate the Windows Answer File
Lastly, you’ll use the Windows System Image Manager to validate your Windows Answer file, analyze and correct errors and warnings, and apply all your settings to your Windows image on your deployment share.
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Challenge
The Last Challenge
Welcome to the final challenge! This is your last chance to experiment in the environment. Clicking Finish Lab will end this little world that flittered into existence just for you.
What's a lab?
Hands-on Labs are real environments created by industry experts to help you learn. These environments help you gain knowledge and experience, practice without compromising your system, test without risk, destroy without fear, and let you learn from your mistakes. Hands-on Labs: practice your skills before delivering in the real world.
Provided environment for hands-on practice
We will provide the credentials and environment necessary for you to practice right within your browser.
Guided walkthrough
Follow along with the author’s guided walkthrough and build something new in your provided environment!
Did you know?
On average, you retain 75% more of your learning if you get time for practice.