Book Image

Learning System Center App Controller

Book Image

Learning System Center App Controller

Overview of this book

Table of Contents (13 chapters)
Learning System Center App Controller
Credits
About the Author
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Index

Windows assessment and deployment toolkit for Windows 8.1


The Windows ADK toolkit is required in order to install System Center 2012 R2 Virtual Machine Manager Server. Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit is a free toolkit from Microsoft, and can be downloaded from http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=39982. It can be installed on the following operating systems:

  • Windows 8.1

  • Windows 8

  • Windows 7

  • Windows Sever 2012 R2

  • Windows Server 2012

  • Windows Server 2008 R2

  • Windows Sever 2008

  • Windows Vista

Microsoft .NET 4.5 is required for successful installation, and is installed automatically if it is missing. Windows Server 2012 has .NET 4.5 installed out of the box.

Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit for Windows 8.1 includes the following components:

  • Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT): This can be used to build inventories of software installed on computers and also to assess compatibility with Windows 8.1 after migration. This component requires SQL Server 2005 or newer versions. The SQL Server Express edition can also be used.

  • Deployment Tools: This includes DISM and other deployment tools used to customize disk images and automate deployment.

  • Windows Preinstallation Environment: This is a small-footprint operating system that can be used to prepare a computer for installation and servicing. It is dependent on Deployment Tools.

  • User State Migration Tool: This tool is used to migrate user data from one Windows-based machine to another. It includes three packages: ScanState, LoadState, and USMTUtils.

  • Volume Activation Management Tool: This tool can be used for automatic activation of Windows and Microsoft Office. SQL Server 2008 or a newer version is required to hold the database file.

  • Windows Performance Toolkit: This tool can be used to monitor application performance against Windows operating system profiles. WPT includes Windows Performance Recorder, Windows Performance Analyzer, and Xperf tools.

  • Windows Assessment Toolkit: This tool can produce diagnostic and remediation information against a local system by running jobs to measure reliability, performance, and functionality. It requires Deployment Tools, Windows PE, Windows Performance Tools and SQL Server. All of these are included in the ADK 8.1 download.

After downloading the adksetup.exe file, the setup process will attempt to download 4 gigabytes of files during the installation process. We can also download the ADK kit for offline usage, and transfer the files to the required server over LAN for easier access. For installation, perform the following steps:

  1. To download the files for local access, browse to the location where adksetup.exe has been stored. Right-click and select Run as administrator, as shown in the following screenshot:

  2. After the installation wizard starts, select the Download the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit for Windows 8.1 for installation on a separate computer option. Then specify the download location path under Download Path. To keep the installation files isolated, I always create a subfolder in the same location where adksetup.exe is located. Ensure that enough space is available on the disk and then click on Next, as shown in this screenshot:

  3. Select the appropriate answer according to your environment for Join the Customer Experience Improvement Program. It does help Microsoft in creating a better product. Then click on Next, as shown in the following screenshot:

  4. Accept the license agreement by clicking on Accept, as shown here:

  5. After you accept the license agreement, the process of downloading the required files will begin, as shown in the following screenshot:

  6. Click on Close after the download has completed successfully, as shown in this screenshot:

  7. Once the download process has been completed, start adksetup.exe from the folder where the complete package files have been downloaded. The folder appears as shown in the following screenshot:

  8. This time, the installation options will be slightly different. Select the installation path and click on Next, as shown in this screenshot:

  9. Select the appropriate answer according to your organization in the Join the Customer Experience Improvement Program section, and click on Next, as shown in the following screenshot:

  10. Accept the terms and conditions. Then you will be presented with the section about installation of features. Select the Deployment Tools and Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) features only, and then click on Install, as shown here: