Windows Automated Installation Kit Windows 7 Beta is on the download center

Pat Azzarello (Microsoft) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 21:39:00 GMT

The Beta build of Windows 7 Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK) is available for download. It's available in English, German and Japanese, although the download pages are not translated (separate download page for each language. This WAIK supports Windows 7 (client) and Windows Server 2008 R2.

You can get the English version here.

The WAIK is much like it was in Windows Vista/Server 2008, but a number of new tools are available as well as additional documentation.

· The Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) Tool is available for downlevel installation.

o Documentation for all features and commands, including compatibility with PkgMgr scripts

o PEImg and IntlCfg are replaced by functionality found in DISM

o Supports offline installation of drivers without creation of an unattend.xml file

o Offline MSI inventory commands are available, including application and application patch listing and information.

o WIM mount support within DISM

· A new WIM mount infrastructure is installed and the ImageX tool now supports modifying multiple images simultaneously and interim saves (you don’t need to unmount to save the image anymore).

· Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) deployment scenario documentation, including walkthroughs. You can also modify a VHD offline using DISM, adding drivers and OS updates

· User State Migration Tool is now included in the WAIK, and not available as a separate download

We are really looking for feedback on the kit and its components. For the tools and the WAIK installer, we ask that you provide feedback through the Beta feedback mechanism. Documentation feedback can be made through the links at the bottom of each documentation topic. You should also feel free to reply to this post with other questions on the Windows 7 WAIK Beta.

This will be the only public drop of the WAIK for Beta. The next version will be available when the Windows 7 release candidate is available.

Windows System Deployment : MDT

Windows Automated Installation Kit Windows 7 Beta is on the download center