Masterclass Description

We are excited to offer this LIVE Online Training dedicated to mastering the Windows 11 Setup engine and Windows ADK. This technical deep dive is crafted for IT professionals and architects seeking to elevate their expertise in advanced deployment scenarios and modern management strategies. Understanding its functionality, phases, and troubleshooting techniques ensures smooth deployment and maintenance.

While this training is helpful for organizations using Microsoft solutions for OS Deployment, it is solution-agnostic. The skills you learn in this class can be applied to any Windows deployment solution for Windows Clients and Servers.

This Masterclass explores the details of the Windows Setup engine, including the configuration passes, using tools from the Windows ADK, unattended XML customizations, Windows customizations, custom actions, drivers, dynamic update management, and the servicing stack's role in deployment. You will also learn to troubleshoot complex setup issues using detailed analysis of log files and to use setup diagnostic tools.

Hands-on Labs
Over 40 percent of your time in this live training is dedicated to hands-on labs and exercises, all based on real-life scenarios and realistic methods tested and verified to work in real-world production environments. 

Added Bonus
The best part of this LIVE Online Training is that you can access all the sample files and scripts used during training.  Upon completing the training, you also get a proven solution to build a complete lab environment.


This Live Online Training runs for four days and includes:

  • Daily live webinars (with plenty of time for Q&A)
  • A community of individuals with the same goals
  • A private Facebook group with other participants to share reflections, progress, etc.
  • The chance to ask Johan Arwidmark questions directly in a live training environment


This LIVE Online Training is for YOU if you want to:

  • Master Windows 11 Setup and Servicing
  • Learn about the tools in Windows ADK
  • Learn about Imaging and Sysprep
  • Learn hardware and device driver internals in Windows setup
  • Customize Windows 11 settings, Start menu, and taskbar
  • Optimize Windows 11 images for performance and security
  • Troubleshoot OS deployment

...and so much more!


Prerequisites
Windows deployment experience, Sysprep, imaging, and drivers. Basic understanding of networking fundamentals such as TCPIP and DNS. Basic knowledge of Active Directory. Scripting experience (PowerShell) is helpful but not a requirement.

Masterclass Schedule

Date and Time for Live Webinars

Date and start time for the next Masterclasses:

  • March 10-13, 2025, 9:00 AM-4:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)


Sign Up Today!


Masterclass Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Windows 11 Setup

  • Understanding the Core Setup Components
  • Deployment Scenarios: Bare Metal Deployment vs. In-place Upgrade
  • The role of the Windows ADK: Versions and Optional Components
  • Understanding Component-based Servicing (CBS)
  • How OS Deployment solutions interact with Windows 11 Setup and the ADK
  • Deployment Methods: Media and PXE


Module 2: Overview of the Windows ADK Tools

  • Windows System Image Manager (WSIM): Creating and managing unattended answer files
  • Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM): Servicing and Preparing Windows Images
  • Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE): Customizing and using WinPE
  • Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT): Managing product keys and activations
  • User State Migration Tool (USMT): Migrating user profiles and settings
  • Windows Performance Toolkit (WPT): Analyzing and optimizing system performance


Module 3: Creating and Customizing WinPE Boot Images

  • Common use cases: deployment, recovery, and diagnostics
  • Understanding core components of WinPE
  • WinPE features and limitations
  • Adding drivers and optional components
  • Customizing the Boot Environment
  • Adding recovery and diagnostic tools
  • Preparing for UEFI Security Enhancements (CVE-2023-24932)


Module 4:Configuring and Customizing WinRE

  • Understanding how Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) works
  • Key differences in WinRE for Windows 11 compared to Windows 10
  • Components of WinRE
  • Accessing WinRE from boot and media
  • Enabling and disabling WinRE: Using reagent.exe
  • WinRE Partition Management


Module 5: Understanding the Windows 11 Setup Passes

  • The Windows Setup Unattended.xml and Setup Passes
  • Windows PE: Disk preparation, Applying WIM Image or Initial setup
  • Offline Servicing: Adding updates, drivers, and features offline
  • Generalize: Removing system-specific data for deployment
  • Specialize: Configuring device-specific settings post-installation
  • AuditSystem: Customizing system configurations in audit mode
  • AuditUser: Finalizing user-specific settings after login
  • OobeSystem: Configuring user accounts, settings, and regional options


Module 6: Phases of the Windows 11 Setup Process - Bare Metal Deployment

  • Default Media vs. Applying WIM Images
  • Booting intoWinPE: Disk partitioning and file copying
  • Offline Installation: Applying the Windows image (install.wim) and Installing drivers
  • First Boot Phase: Configuring system settings and completing the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE)
  • Post-Installation Phase: Finalizing updates, Installing additional apps and configurations


Module 7: Phases of the Windows 11 Setup Process - In-place Upgrades

  • Setup and Servicing Changes between Windows 10 and Windows 11
  • Downlevel Phase: Processes, Temporary Upgrade folder, Updates, Checks, Info gathering
  • SafeOS Phase: Recovery Image, Applying OS WIM Image, Driver Injection
  • First Boot Phase: Applying Settings and Migration
  • Second Boot Phase: UI and Feature Preparations


Module 8: Mastering Reference Image Creation

  • Creating Reference Images: Best Practices
  • Image Optimization: Reducing Bloat and Optimizing Performance
  • Implementing an Image Factory Solution
  • Adding and Managing Operating System Features on Demand (FoD)
  • Adding Language Packs to Images


Module 9: Sysprep Technical Drilldown

  • Understanding the Sysprep Process Flow
  • Removing unique system-specific information
  • Sysprep Command Line parameters and Unattended.xml file
  • Setup Passes used by Sysprep


Module 10: Production Deployment

  • Adding Operating System Images
  • Deploying Windows 11 Clients using PXE
  • Deploying Windows 11 Clients using USB Media
  • Updating and Configuring BIOS/UEFI


Module 11: Using Windows Deployment Services (WDS) for PXE

  • Introduction to WDS and Prerequisites
  • Understanding WDS Key Components: PXE, Images, PXE Response, and Policies
  • Integration with Active Directory, DHCP, and DNS
  • Optimizing WDS for Performance
  • Tools for diagnostics and troubleshooting: Event Viewer, Log Files, and Command Line Tools
  • Reviewing WDS Alternatives: SYSLINUX, FOG, and iPXE


Module 12: Troubleshooting OS Deployment

  • Log Files and their locations
  • Understanding Common issues and error codes
  • Compatibility Failures
  • Outdated drivers or hardware
  • Applications blocking the installation
  • Setup Stuck or Crashes
  • Booting into Safe Mode for troubleshooting


Module 13: Tools for Troubleshooting

  • SetupDiag: Microsoft's diagnostic tool for analyzing log files
  • DISM: Working and Customizing System Images
  • Event Viewer: Review system events during the installation
  • Windows Performance Toolkit (WPT): Analyze performance bottlenecks during setup
  • Windows Debugging Tools: Debug crash dumps or kernel-related issues


Module 14: Customizing Windows 11

  • Uninstalling unnecessary apps in Windows 11
  • Removing built-in apps and features using PowerShell
  • Customizing the Windows 11 UI: Start Menu and Taskbar
  • Setting Default File Associations
  • Personalizing desktop and Lock Screen wallpapers
  • Managing Widgets in Windows 11
  • Optimizing File Explorer: Customizing the right-click menu
  • Configuring continuous innovation controls
  • Managing Copilot in Windows 11


Module 15: Advanced Setup Scenarios

  • Using the SetupConfig.ini File
  • Using Custom Actions
  • OOBE Customizations
  • Windows Autopilot Integration


Instructor

Johan Arwidmark

Johan Arwidmark is a consultant, author, speaker, and all-around geek specializing in Enterprise Windows Deployment Solutions and Systems Management. Johan speaks at several conferences each year, including MMS and Ignite around the world. He is also actively involved in the deploymentresearch.com community, and he has been awarded Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) since 2005. Johan is known for his energetic and humorous style, tackling complex concepts using simple "Real World" scenarios and lots of live demos. His areas of expertise include Enterprise Windows Deployment Tools and Management Systems: Intune, MDT, WinPE, WDS, and ConfigMgr (SCCM).

Johan Arwidmark

Technical Fellow