Get started with SmartDeploy

• Review our system and network requirements before getting started.

• Make sure your virtualization software and Windows media are ready to go.

• SmartDeploy works with several virtualization software such as Oracle VirtualBox, which is available for free.

• To obtain your Windows media, you can download the Windows ISO file or use the Windows media creation tool.

• Install SmartDeploy on any workstation. 

• See instructions for adding users to your account. 

• Learn how to access SmartDeploy with the web console and set up distribution points.  

• Install the client on endpoints you want to manage from the SmartDeploy Console.

• You can also install the client using Group Policy or a software deployment tool.

You can create your reference machine using SmartDeploy’s Build Wizard or build your VM on the virtualization platform itself using tools like Microsoft Hyper-V.

• 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.

• SmartDeploy will not work with .GHO, .TIB, or other proprietary file types. We recommend building a new reference machine using the above steps.

• Launch the Capture Wizard to create an image from the VM you created previously.

• SmartDeploy creates a .WIM file, Microsoft’s standard format.

• Snapshots and antivirus can cause capture errors. If you run into an error, follow these troubleshooting tips.

• Learn more about Microsoft reimaging rights and volumes licensing.

• Download driver packs from SmartDeploy’s Platform Pack library of 1,500+ prebuilt packages that support all major OEM business-class models. 

• SmartDeploy uses WMI queries to deploy only drivers specific to each hardware make, model, and OS version. 

• Download prebuilt Application Packs or create your own to deploy individual applications and patches or push out scripts to automate tasks.

Create an answer file using the Answer File Wizard to automate your deployment.

• Launch the Answer File Wizard to create an answer file.

• Include SmartDeploy Client in your answer file.

• By default, answer files are marked unattended for Network Deployment with SmartDeploy.

• Advanced options include setting default Windows settings, disk options, and running custom scripts. For more information, visit our help center.

Additional notes:  

• If you choose to skip this step, you will see the same questions in the Deploy Wizard at deployment time.

• For network deployments, an unattended answer file is required. You will be prompted for it when creating your deployment media with the Media Wizard.

• Launch the Media Wizard to create your boot media or offline deployment media.

• Create a deployment package for network or cloud deployments.

• SmartDeploy can leverage WDS for PXE boot.

• Antivirus or large files can cause issues when creating boot media. If you experience any issues, check out this quick troubleshooting video.

Reimage a computer with the boot media you created using SmartDeploy.

• Console-initiated deployments can be scheduled.

• Sysprep runs automatically during deployment.

• Use Multicast when deploying to 25+ machines.

• During your trial, a network connection is required to deploy machines.

• You can also deploy over the cloud using your Amazon S3 API object storage, Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive account — no VPN needed.

Keep devices up to date with Platform Packs.

• Make sure the SmartDeploy client is installed on target endpoints.

• SmartDeploy will indicate when there is an update available for Platform Pack in your library — and when a device doesn’t have the latest Platform Pack.

• Deploy Platform Packs over your network or over the internet using your cloud storage provider.

Capture and deploy user data.

• Make sure the SmartDeploy client is installed on target endpoints.

• SmartDeploy uses Microsoft's User State Migration Tool (USMT) to collect and migrate user files and settings.

• You can capture and deploy user data during a Windows migration or when migrating user data from one machine to another.

Deploy images, applications, drivers, or user data using distribution points.

• Create a distribution point.

• Distribution points can represent a local device with SmartDeploy installed or authenticated cloud storage providers.

• Deploy assets to target devices quickly via the closest distribution point without having to set up additional servers.

Push out apps, software updates, or scripts to devices any time.

• Make sure the SmartDeploy client is installed on target endpoints.

• Application Packs allow you to deploy individual applications and patches or execute tasks.

• Deploy Application Packs over your network or use your cloud storage provider to deploy over the internet (without VPN).