Add Windows install and boot images using the GUI

On the WDS server, create image groups and add images using the GUI.

  1. Using the Remote Desktop client (from your Windows node) or RDP client (from your Linux node), log in to the WDS server as a domain administrator.
  2. Select Start > All Programs > Adminsitrative Tools > Windows Deployment Services.
  3. Expand the WDS server to which you want to add the install image group and images.
  4. Right-click the Install Images node, and select Add Image Group.
  5. Create three Windows image groups using the following names. Skip the ones already present (if any).
    • CapturedImages
    • Windows2008_x64
    • Windows7_enterprise_x64
    • Windows7_enterprise_x86
    Windows2012r2_x64
    Windows2012_x64
    Windows8_enterprise_x64
    Windows8_enterprise_x86
    Windows8.1_enterprise_x64
    Windows8.1_enterprise_x86
    Note: These are the names used in Lab Management profiles for Windows 2008R2, Windows 7, Windows 2012, Windows 2012R2, Windows 8, Windows 8.1. If you choose different names, make sure that corresponding image group names in your profiles are updated to match what you have here.
  6. Right-click the image group you created, and select Add Install Image.
  7. Browse to the default install image install.wim located in the relevant \sources subdirectory under the Windows Edition sub-folder in the Z network drive. Click Next.
  8. Follow the instructions in the wizard to finish adding the images.
  9. Right-click the Boot Images node, and select Add Boot Image.
  10. Browse to select the default boot images located in the \BootImages sub directory under the Windows Edition sub folder on the Z drive. Add below boot images.
    #\BootImages\x64\boot.wim  (Skip if already present)
    #\BootImages\x86\boot.wim  (Skip if already present)
    #\BootImages\x64\postwin8boot.wim
    #\BootImages\x86\postwin8boot.wim
    ---------------------------------------------------------------
    \BootImages\x64\boot.wim handles boot images for Windows 7 Enterprise 64 bit, Windows 2008 R2 Standard and Enterprise 64 bit 
    \BootImages\x86\boot.wim handles boot images for Windows 7 Enterprise 32 bit.
    \BootImages\x64\postwin8boot.wim handles boot images for Windows 8 Enterprise 64 bit, Windows 8.1 Enterprise 64 bit,
    Windows 2012 Standard 64 bit,  Windows 2012R2 Standard 64 bit.
    \BootImages\x86\postwin8boot.wim handles boot images for Windows 8 Enterprise 32 bit, Windows 8.1 Enterprise 32 bit.
    Note: You only need four default boot images - two for 32-bit OS and two for 64-bit OS.
  11. Follow the instructions in the wizard to finish adding the image.