When deploying Windows clients using Configuration Manager 2007 and MDT 2010 Update 1, there is often a requirement to run task sequence actions as a domain user as opposed to the local system account. For example, in order to perform actions on a computer...

MCS UK are looking for a technical consultant to specialise in client deployment (Windows 7 and Windows 8), Systems Centre 2012 Configuration Manager, System Center 2012 Virtual Machine Manager and Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) – to view and apply...

My favorite feature in Systems Center 2012 Configuration Manager (Configuration Manager) is without a doubt the new and shiny self-service Application Catalog portal. The new Application Catalog feature is packed with benefits for both the application...

The script has been updated to abort if the TPM is not Active and to create Endorsement Key Pair if it does not exist on the TPM. Microsoft BitLocker Administration and Monitoring (MBAM) provides features to manage BitLocker encryption of computers...

  In my previous post ‘ How to Limit or Restrict the Use of Bootable Media Devices for OS Deployment Using SCCM ’, I showed you how to limit or restrict outdated boot media devices.  As promised, I am now going to offer a solution for stand...

Microsoft is working with a number of compatibility partners to host Internet Explorer 6 Migration Roadshow events around the UK. With support for Windows XP coming to an end on the 8 th April 2014 and IE6 standing in so many people’s way of migration...

  There is a little known component of the MDT database that, when used with Configuration Manager, can automatically re-install applications that were previously installed on a device.  It is not well known, simply because it isn’t readily...

MDT is very flexible in the ability to define and use variables inline and in different locations. However, this also means that if you forget to assign a variable a value it may lead to unintended consequences that you might not easily discover. There...

Happy new year to everyone! It looks like I am making the first blog post here for 2012 :-) To get the year rolling I thought I'd share anexcellent resource that I stumbled across this week, even though it was published back in November. If you follow...

Here is a common scenario. You are deploying an operating system using MDT Lite Touch, during the deployment you install some user specific applications. However the users think that the deployment is completed an they close the application installs or...

There are many new features of MDT 2012 but one that I particularly like is the ability to apply GPO Packs created using Security Compliance Manager ( SCM ) during the deployment process. SCM is a great tool that allows you to create and manage group...

The latest version of MDT is now available on Connect ( Join the MDT 2012 Beta 2 Connect program here! ) MDT 2012 Beta 2 offers new User-Driven Installation components and extensibility for Configuration Manager 2007 and Configuration Manager 2012 as...

I have recently been working with a customer on a Windows Vista to Windows 7 migration. During the Refresh deployment task sequence, BitLocker is suspended on the C and D partitions. On occasion we had issues where by protection was not always successfully...

I've had this tool sitting in a folder on my laptop half-finished for a few months but after a particularly frustrating problem with a script in a ZTI deployment I was encouraged to finish it! The original MDTDebugger that I wrote is a great help for...

"Why deployment is so hard?", “Where can I find all related information?” What else I need to consider?” Those or similar questions are normal during my customer projects. After getting the same questions again and again, I’ve...

The Microsoft Deployment Toolkit is great for building and capturing your reference images because allows you to use the copyprofile technique to configure user settings. System Center Configuration Manager 2007 is great for Zero Touch Deployments of...

Often times when you are presenting applications to install in the LiteTouch wizard of MDT, you may want to present configurations for each of these applications. These could include installing application features, configuring parameters like computer...

One of the great features of MDT 2010/2012 is the ability to create a media based deployment  – this media based deployment can be placed on a USB based memory device (HDD or Fob) or onto a DVD. This allows the MDT based deployment to run from this...

While USMT 4.0 in a Refresh Scenario provides some great advance by using Hardlinking in a Replace Scenario customers still face multiple operational challenges and potential capital costs during large scale deployments because user data needs to make...

The Lite Touch Deployment Process end in a Summary Wizard pane that displays any warning or errors that were logged in the MDT master log (BDD.log). This is a great feature but customers have pointed out that this summary is not preserved after...

I can't profess to be an Application Compatibility guru like Chris Jackson or Aaron Margosis , but I do work on a lot of deployment projects where I am tasked with helping the client with this area. As such, I have compiled a list of the top 5 most common...

One of the most requested windows7 customization in every deployment projects is the OS branding. Here is a quick step by step guide. Windows Background Picture: If you want to assign a Win7 Background & Logon picture based on the size of the...

I have recently been working with a customer deploying Windows 7 using MDT. One of the requirements the customer had is to be able to use a single deployment share to capture and deploy images without having to use the MDT database. Using a single deployment...

For a while I have been meaning to write up a solution around dynamic computer naming in Zero Touch. Many people have emailed or commenting on how useful this would be – so here goes. Zero Touch Installation relies on a combination of System...

I have been on quite a few customer engagements where I have been asked to develop a process that will restrict the use of legacy media devices, such as DVD or UFD, to deploy OS images. Many of these customers come from legacy environments where they...