Windows Deployment Services (WDS) is a Microsoft server technology used to deploy Windows operating systems over a network. It enables automated, remote installation of Windows to multiple client computers simultaneously.
- PXE Boot Support: Allows network-based booting using Preboot Execution Environment.
- Unattended Installations: Uses answer files (XML) to automate installations.
- Image Deployment: Supports
.WIM image files for Windows OS installation.
- Multicast Deployment: Reduces network congestion by sending images to multiple clients at once.
- Driver Injection: Add necessary hardware drivers into deployment images.
- WDS Server: Hosts OS images and responds to PXE boot requests.
- Boot Images: Used to boot into Windows PE for installation (
boot.wim).
- Install Images: Actual OS images deployed to clients (
install.wim).
- PXE Client: A network-bootable client machine.
- Install WDS Role via Server Manager or PowerShell.
- Configure WDS Server (standalone or integrated with AD DS).
- Add Boot & Install Images (usually from Windows installation media).
- Configure PXE Response Settings.
- Boot Client via Network (PXE).
- Deploy OS through WDS wizard or answer file.
- Windows Server (2008 or later).
- Active Directory (for integrated mode).
- DHCP Server (can coexist).
- NTFS Partition for image storage.
| Type |
File |
Purpose |
| Boot Image |
boot.wim |
Loads Windows PE installer |
| Install Image |
install.wim |
Actual Windows OS image |
| Capture Image |
Modified boot.wim |
Used to capture a reference OS image |
¶ 📘 Useful Commands
wdsutil /add-image /imagefile:"install.wim" /imagetype:Install
wdsutil /set-server /AnswerClients:All
¶ 🖥️ Step-by-Step Guide: Installing and Deploying Windows via WDS
This guide explains how to set up Windows Deployment Services (WDS) on a Windows Server and deploy Windows OS to a client PC over the network using PXE boot.
- Windows Server 2016/2019/2022
- DHCP Server (can be on same or different machine)
- Active Directory Domain Services (optional but recommended)
- At least one Windows installation ISO (e.g., Windows 10/11)
- NTFS partition with enough space for images
- PXE-boot capable client PC
- Open Server Manager
- Click Manage > Add Roles and Features
- Select:
- Role-based or feature-based installation
- Your server from the server pool
- Under Server Roles, select:
- Windows Deployment Services
- Confirm adding required features
- On Role Services screen, check:
- Deployment Server
- Transport Server
- Click Next > Install
- After installation, restart the server if prompted.
Install-WindowsFeature -Name WDS -IncludeManagementTools
-
Open WDS Console
- Press
Win + R, type wdsmgmt.msc, and press Enter.
-
Start Configuration
- In the left pane, right-click your server name and select Configure Server.
-
Choose Server Type
- Select one of the following:
- ✅ Integrated with Active Directory (Recommended)
- ⬜ Standalone Server
-
Set Image Store Location
- Define the path where WDS will store images.
Example: D:\RemoteInstall
-
Configure PXE Server Response
- Choose how the PXE server responds to client requests:
- ✅ Respond to all client computers
- 🔒 Optionally, enable Require administrator approval for unknown clients.
-
Complete Setup
- Finish the wizard and WDS services will be started automatically.
✅ Your WDS Server is now configured and ready for image deployment!
¶ 📁 Part 3: Add Boot and Install Images
-
Mount the Windows ISO
- Right-click the Windows ISO file and select Mount.
- The mounted ISO will appear as a new drive (e.g.,
X:).
-
Navigate to the Sources Folder
- Open the mounted ISO drive.
- Go to the
Sources folder.
- In the WDS Console, right-click Boot Images and select Add Boot Image.
- Browse to:
- Provide a name for the boot image:
- Example:
"Windows 10 PE Boot"
- In the WDS Console, right-click Install Images and select Add Install Image.
- Create a new image group:
- Browse to:
- Select the edition(s) you want to add:
- Example:
Windows 10 Pro, Windows 10 Enterprise
✅ You have now added both Boot and Install images to WDS.