GETTING STARTED CHECKLIST
You’ll need these three items to complete your evaluation
STEP-BY-STEP VIDEO GUIDE
Everything you need to complete your SmartDeploy evaluation
Setup Your IT Workstation
Gather these three items to complete your evaluation
Active time: 5 minutes
Inactive time: up to 60 minutes
- Install SmartDeploy by running the .exe file you just downloaded
- SmartDeploy requires Windows ADK and Silverlight. If you do not already have these, SmartDeploy will guide you through the installation process.
- While you’re installing SmartDeploy you can gather:
- Virtualization Software
- OS Media (Note: If you don’t have your media, use the Windows media creation tool.
1. Build Reference VM
Create a virtual reference machine with the target OS and apps
Active time: 30 minutes
Inactive time: —
- Launch the Build Wizard to create your golden Virtual Machine
- If your virtualization software is not listed in the Build Wizard, you can build the VM manually
- For testing purposes, we recommend starting with just Windows OS
- You do not need to Sysprep your reference machine, SmartDeploy runs Sysprep automatically at deployment time
2. Capture Image
Create an image of the reference machine
Active time: 2 minutes
Inactive time: 10 minutes
- Launch the Capture Wizard to create an image from the VM you
created in Step 1 - SmartDeploy creates a .WIM file, Microsoft’s standard format
3. Platform Packs
Acquire a driver package for your target device
Active time: 5 minutes
Inactive time: 5 minutes
- SmartDeploy architecture allows you to manage your image (software) and hardware (drivers) separately
- Download pre-built Platform Packs and save them to the specified folder
- SmartDeploy uses WMI queries to deploy only drivers specific to each hardware make, model, and OS version
4. Answer File
Create an answer file to automate deployment
Active time: 5 minutes
Inactive time: —
- Launch the Answer File Wizard to create an answer file
- Include the SmartDeploy Client in your answer file
- Mark it for unattended installation for Network Deployment with SmartDeploy
NEW! Try zero-touch remote computer imaging over your network.
5. Boot Media
Create boot or deployment media
Active time: 5 minutes
Inactive time: —
- Launch the Media Wizard to create boot or offline deployment media
- SmartDeploy leverages WDS for PXE boot
NEW! Try zero-touch remote computer imaging over your network.
Learn more about SmartDeploy and WDS
6. Deploy Image
Deploy your image to your target device
Active time: 5 minutes
Inactive time: 10-15 minutes
- Advanced options include setting default Windows settings, computer naming, and custom scripts
- Deploy Wizard can automatically join the computer to a domain
- Automatically creates an answer file for future light-touch or unattended deployments
- Sysprep runs automatically during deployment
Technical, product, or pricing questions? We’re here to help.
GETTING STARTED RESOURCES
Resources to help you get started with SmartDeploy