F5F Stay Refreshed Software Operating Systems I can help with Windows Deployment Services and MDT. Let me know what you need!

I can help with Windows Deployment Services and MDT. Let me know what you need!

I can help with Windows Deployment Services and MDT. Let me know what you need!

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rhyno747
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06-18-2022, 11:31 AM
#1
I welcome your feedback ahead of time. Over the past weeks, I've been setting up and testing Windows Deployment Services and the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit on a Server 2012 R2 system. This setup supports creating images of computers we distribute to students during our college raffle. I’ve compiled a list of recurring problems and managed many with trial and error or online research. Still, some tasks remain challenging—particularly with application installations.

On the installation side, we deploy Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, Google Chrome, MalwareBytes, Mozilla Firefox, and LibreOffice. So far, Chrome, MalwareBytes, and Firefox have installed smoothly. Adobe Reader tends to show an end screen that demands a click. I’ve experimented with /silent, /passive, and /sAll settings from an Adobe forum post, but none resolved the issue.

For LibreOffice, it often refuses to install even after clicking finish. The driver installation is another hurdle. Most computers come pre-configured with the same model (HP Compaq DC7900), and Windows typically installs drivers automatically except for audio. When I force a driver search in Device Manager, it still doesn’t appear.

I’m seeking guidance on how to integrate this driver into the deployment workflow—beyond simply placing the .exe file.

Regarding deployment settings, I’d like MDT to bypass certain steps. For instance, we usually skip BitLocker and region settings that default to English or EST time. I want these screens to disappear and always use my preferred defaults. Would it be possible to automate this?

For Windows Update, I prefer having updates occur during deployment rather than constantly. I notice two disabled tasks in the sequence: Windows Update (Pre-Application Installation) and Windows Update (Post-Application Installation). Should one be prioritized over the other? Is there a benefit to enabling both if they’re already off by default?

I also need to adjust default programs. Chrome should become the default browser, pinned to the taskbar, while Edge is removed. Additionally, I’d like Adobe Reader to act as the default PDF viewer instead of Edge or Chrome.

Administrative privileges are another concern. We create a generic account named “User” with admin rights but no password. Two scripts are used at deployment’s end to set this up: AddUser.cmd and Disable.cmd. These work, and after completion the admin account disappears. It functions as intended.

Lastly, I’m open to any alternative methods if you can suggest them. Your support means a lot.

Thanks, Ken
Edited February 3, 2018 by kagarium
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R
rhyno747
06-18-2022, 11:31 AM #1

I welcome your feedback ahead of time. Over the past weeks, I've been setting up and testing Windows Deployment Services and the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit on a Server 2012 R2 system. This setup supports creating images of computers we distribute to students during our college raffle. I’ve compiled a list of recurring problems and managed many with trial and error or online research. Still, some tasks remain challenging—particularly with application installations.

On the installation side, we deploy Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, Google Chrome, MalwareBytes, Mozilla Firefox, and LibreOffice. So far, Chrome, MalwareBytes, and Firefox have installed smoothly. Adobe Reader tends to show an end screen that demands a click. I’ve experimented with /silent, /passive, and /sAll settings from an Adobe forum post, but none resolved the issue.

For LibreOffice, it often refuses to install even after clicking finish. The driver installation is another hurdle. Most computers come pre-configured with the same model (HP Compaq DC7900), and Windows typically installs drivers automatically except for audio. When I force a driver search in Device Manager, it still doesn’t appear.

I’m seeking guidance on how to integrate this driver into the deployment workflow—beyond simply placing the .exe file.

Regarding deployment settings, I’d like MDT to bypass certain steps. For instance, we usually skip BitLocker and region settings that default to English or EST time. I want these screens to disappear and always use my preferred defaults. Would it be possible to automate this?

For Windows Update, I prefer having updates occur during deployment rather than constantly. I notice two disabled tasks in the sequence: Windows Update (Pre-Application Installation) and Windows Update (Post-Application Installation). Should one be prioritized over the other? Is there a benefit to enabling both if they’re already off by default?

I also need to adjust default programs. Chrome should become the default browser, pinned to the taskbar, while Edge is removed. Additionally, I’d like Adobe Reader to act as the default PDF viewer instead of Edge or Chrome.

Administrative privileges are another concern. We create a generic account named “User” with admin rights but no password. Two scripts are used at deployment’s end to set this up: AddUser.cmd and Disable.cmd. These work, and after completion the admin account disappears. It functions as intended.

Lastly, I’m open to any alternative methods if you can suggest them. Your support means a lot.

Thanks, Ken
Edited February 3, 2018 by kagarium

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Reply