Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT; formerly Business Desktop Deployment) is a computer program that permits network deployment of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office.
<p>Overview
MDT can help build an automated installation source for deploying Windows operating systems from Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 onwards, from either a single machine or a central server distribution tool, such as Windows Deployment Services (WDS) or System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM).Device drivers, Windows updates and software can be included with the build.
All the software intended for installation (Operating System, drivers, updates and applications) are added to a pool of available software and packaged into deployment packages. The Operating System and drivers to be included with this package are selected, and the administrator password, owner information, and product key are specified. Microsoft Deployment Toolkit generates a custom Windows PE(Preinstallation Environment) image that allows client machines to install the assembled deployment packages over the network from the MDT server. This Windows PE disk image can be burned to and booted from a CD, or booted with Windows Deployment Services. When selecting the package to deploy, software that has been included in the pool may also be selected for installation.
Operation
The Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) supports three types of deployments: Zero Touch Installation (ZTI), Lite Touch Installation (LTI), and User Driven Installation (UDI). ZTI is a fully automated deployment scheme in which installation requires no user interaction whatsoever. UDI deployments require full manual intervention to respond to every installation prompt, such as machine name, password or language setting. ZTI and UDI deployments both require a Microsoft System Center infrastructure. ZTI deployments require a persistent network connection to the distribution point. LTI deployments require limited user interaction. An LTI deployment needs very little infrastructure, so it can be installed from a network share, or media using either a USB flash drive or an optical disc.
See also
- Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT)
- Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit (MAP)
- Remote Installation Services
- System Center Configuration Manager (formerly System Management Server)
- User State Migration Tool
- The Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) (previously known as Windows Automated Installation Kit)
- Windows Deployment Services
- Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE)
References
How to Install ADK and MDT on Windows Server 2016?
External links
- How to Deploy Windows 10 Using MDT?
- Official website
- Microsoft deployment resources
- Microsoft Deployment TechCenter
- Microsoft Deployment Toolkit Team Blog
- The Deployment Guys
- Priscila Silva blog (Brazilian Portuguese)
- Michael Niehaus' Windows and Office deployment ramblings
