Automating migration from

Windows XP to Windows 8.1

Kyle Rosenthal
Technical Lead
@WindowsPCGuy
Microsoft Virtual Academy

Objectives
Describe the components required to

migrate from Windows XP to Windows 8.1

Be able to decide which components and
methods suit your migration
Automation!

Agenda

Deployment components and tools

Deployment decisions
Getting ready for deployment
Automating the deployment

Deployment components and

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit
tools
Assessment and Deployment Kit
Windows Deployment Services
System Center Configuration Manager

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2013

MDT 2013 provides a common console with

comprehensive tools and guidance for

every organizational rolemaking it the
recommended process and toolset to
automate large-scale desktop and server
deployments.
Support for LTI deployments and can plug
into Configuration Manager
Migration and deployment of: Windows 8.1 and
Windows Server 2012 R2, as well as Windows 7 and Windows 8

Assessment and Deployment Kit

Free download!
ADK contains ACT, Deployment tools (DISM,

SIM, Windows PE, USMT, VAMT, WPT, WAT,

WAS) (thats a bunch of letters!)
Support for LTI and UDI deployments and
can plug into Configuration Manager

Windows Deployment Services

Updated version of Remote Installation

Services
Available in Windows Server 2008 and
above
New features include multi-cast and
anytime join
Deploy WIM and VHD files
Core delivery method with LTI deployments
Either GUI or command line methods

System Center Configuration

Configuration Manager allows you to
Manager

perform tasks such as:

Deploying operating systems (ZTI)
Deploying software applications
Deploying software updates
Assessing variation from desired
configurations
Taking hardware and software inventory
Remotely administering computers

Deployment decisions
Deployment methods?
LTI (MDT, WDS)
ZTI (MDT, Configuration Manager)

Deployment scenarios?
Replace
Upgrade
New Computer

Migrate user settings?

USMT (version?)
Hard link migration?

Windows Easy Transfer Wizard

Deployment Automation
Main automation files:
Winpeshl.ini
Controls whether a customized shell is loaded in WindowsPE instead of the default

Command Prompt window

Wpeinit.exe
Command-line tool that initializes WindowsPE each time it boots. Wpeinit.exe

specifically installs PnP devices, processes Unattend.xml settings, and loads

network resources.

Unattend.xml
Windows Setup works with an unattended installation answer file to automate

online installations and customizations of Windows.

ZTIGather.xml
This file defines the variables and lists that are declared by MDT for the Gather step

of the Task Sequence

CustomSettings.ini

Automation tips
Use MDT to build gold images
Use MDT or Configuration Manager to

deploy images
Build in flexibility use the MDT database
Build up the grocery list for software,
images, drivers and language packs
Deploy only what is needed of the above
Test!

Summary

Deployment components and tools

Deployment decisions
Getting ready for deployment
Automating the deployment

Useful Links
Windows ADK

http://
msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/hh825486.aspx

MDT 2013 http://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/dn475741.aspx

System Center Home
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/server-cloud/system-center/default.aspx

The Deployment Guys http://blogs.technet.com/b/deploymentguys/

Springboard Series http://technet.microsoft.com/en-au/windows/hh771457.aspx

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