Understanding Windows ADK Compatibility
Sign up to access this lesson
Click here to sign up and get access to this lesson!
Saving Progress...
In this lecture, I will introduce you to Windows ADK and Windows PE. I will explain the importance of getting it right when it comes to downloading and installing the correct compatible software for your Infrastructure or your Lab.
·Windows ADK or the (Assessment & Deployment Kit) is a group of tools that you can use to customize Windows Images for your Windows 10 deployments.
·It is extremely important to consult the latest compatibility chart to verify that the version of ADK matches the version of Configuration Manager.
·Microsoft recommends that the version of Windows ADK also matches the version of Windows 10 you are deploying.
·When downloading software from the Microsoft’s Evaluation Center,
software compatibility will always be based upon the latest available version of Configuration manager.
For Example:
If I was using Configuration Manager 1902, I could use ADK version 1809 or 1903.Also, the second chart shows that Windows 10 1903 is compatible with CM version 1902, 1906, and 1910.
Unfortunately, the evaluation version of Windows 10 1903 is no longer available from the Evaluation Center, so you have to download Windows 10 1909, which is not compatible with Configuration Manager 1902. I’ll give you a solution for that issue in a moment.
First, let’s talk about Windows PE – Preinstallation environment
- What is it? What does it do?
- Windows PE (WinPE) for Windows 10 is a small operating system used to install, deploy, and repair Windows 10 for desktop editions (Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education edition. Windows Server and other Windows operating systems.
- Starting with Windows 10, version 1809, Windows Preinstallation Environment (PE) is released separately from the Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK).
- To add Windows PE to your ADK installation, download the Windows PE Add-on and run the included installer after installing the ADK.
Downloading Software from Microsoft’s Evaluation Center
·Currently, the only version of SCCM with Endpoint Protection available for download from Microsoft’s Evaluation Center is Configuration Manager version 1902.
·Also, Windows 10 1909 is the only version available from the Eval site.
·So, if you want to deploy Windows 10 1909,
- You must first update SCCM from version 1902 to 1906 or 1910. Time 3:20
- This is an in-console update. Updating SCCM is covered in the course.
- Windows 10 ADK version 1903 is compatible with Windows 10 1909 and SCCM 1906 and 1910.
So, what does all this mean
·You can use the software provided in the lab
·Or download your software from the Windows Evaluation Center:
If you decide to download software from the evaluation center, here is my recommendation
- Download the latest Configuration Manager with Endpoint Protection.
- Download a compatible ADK version as well as Windows PE.
- Setup your LAB.
- You may need to update Configuration Manager for compatibility.
- The Thing to understand is that the versions of all this software will change several times a year. But what doesn’t change is that you must consult the compatibility charts before you download and install ANY of these software products.
Sign up to access the rest of this lesson
You must either log in or sign up to access this lesson.
Saving Progress...
