Course Description

In this academy program you learn how to implement a Windows 10 deployment and servicing platform based on Windows Server, WDS, and MDT Lite Touch. The six week long program covers on-premises deployment as well as cloud imaging via the PowerShell Deployment (PSD) extension. You also learn about customizing the MDT environment, how to use Windows Autopilot for bringing machines under management via Microsoft Intune, and how to integrate MDT with Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) and Windows Update for Business (WUfB).

This program is running for six weeks, and includes: 

  • Weekly live webinars (with recordings and Q & A).
  • Weekly online gatherings for additional Q & A time.
  • Weekly assignments to guide your progress.
  • A community of individuals with the same goals.
  • A private Facebook group with other participants for sharing reflections, progress, etc. 
  • The chance to ask Johan Arwidmark questions directly.


Course Schedule

Below are the current dates for the weekly Live Webinars:

  • Module 1: Wednesday, March 3, 10am – 12pm, Central Time
  • Module 2: Wednesday, March 10, 10am - 12pm, Central Time
  • Module 3: Wednesday, March 17, 10am - 12pm, Central Time
  • Module 4: Wednesday, March 24, 10am - 12pm, Central Time
  • Module 5: Wednesday, March 31, 10am - 12pm, Central Time
  • Module 6: Wednesday, April 7 10am - 12pm, Central Time

Course Outline

Module 1: Windows 10 Deployment, Technical Drilldown

  • Setup a lab and test environment
  • Deployment tools and Platforms (Windows ADK, MDT, WDS, and PSD)
  • Windows 10 Deployment Challenges
  • Understanding Windows as a Service 
  • Reducing the Windows 10 Network Impact
  • Supported deployment Scenarios, including Cloud imaging and Windows Autopilot
  • Windows 10 Imaging strategies, master images vs. thin images
  • Using Community Solutions like Image Factory, OSD Builder, and WIM Witch


Module 2: Windows 10 Deployment via MDT and WDS

  • Preparing for Production Deployment
  • Setup the MDT Infrastructure 
  • Adding Operating System Images
  • Adding Applications, and PowerShell Scripts
  • Adding Drivers for WinPE and Windows 10
  • Adding support BIOS Updates and Configuration
  • Adding support for BitLocker
  • Creating Production Task Sequences
  • Configure the Deployment Share, WinPE, and CustomSettings.ini
  • Configure WDS (PXE)


Module 3: Windows 10 Servicing – Task Sequences and WUfB

  • Servicing existing Windows 10 installations
  • Comparing servicing techniques and platforms
  • Creating the Windows 10 upgrade task sequence
  • Running the In-place upgrade process
  • Adding pre-flight actions for Windows 10 upgrade/servicing
  • Monitor and verify the In-place upgrade process
  • Setup Microsoft Intune for servicing of Windows 10
  • Adding support for Computer Refresh and Computer Replace scenario


Module 4: Cloud Imaging using MDT and PSD (New)

  • OS Deployment over HTTPS via MDT and PSD
  • Setup Deployment Servers in Azure or AWS
  • Implementing iPXE for boot over Internet (third party)
  • Configuring Vendor BIOS/EUFI for Cloud Imaging
  • Extend MDT with PSD for HTTPS and P2P support
  • Running Task Sequence via Microsoft Intune


Module 5: Implementing Windows Autopilot

  • Bringing computers under management
  • OEM vendor support
  • Autopilot deployment scenarios
  • Automating Windows Autopilot via Microsoft Graph
  • Using MDT for Windows Autopilot Deployment for existing devices
  • Integrate Autopilot with Cloud Imaging


Module 6: Troubleshooting MDT Lite Touch

  • Debugging MDT Lite Touch
  • Understanding Windows 10 setup passes
  • Using tools in Windows ADK 10
  • Adding Custom Tools to WinPE
  • Enable DaRT and VNC
  • Enable MDT Monitoring
  • Client-Side and Server-Side Logging
  • Log files, and log file locations
  • Understanding MDT flows and processes
  • Troubleshooting Drivers and Applications



Course curriculum

    1. Welcome from the instructor

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Before we begin

    3. MDT Q2-2021 - Brief Introduction and Expectations

    1. Topics Covered

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Webinar Recording, March 3, 2021

    3. Q & A Recording, March 3, 2021

    4. Links shared in Module 1

    5. MDT Q2-2021 - Module 1 Assignment

    1. Topics Covered

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Webinar Recording, March 10, 2021

    3. Q & A Recording, March 10, 2021

    4. Links shared in Module 2

    1. Topics covered

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Webinar Recording, March 17, 2021

    3. Links shared in Module 3

    1. Topics covered

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Module 4 - Live Webinar

    3. Webinar Recording, March 24, 2021

    4. Links shared in Module 4

    1. Topics Covered

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Webinar Recording, March 31, 2021

    3. Links shared in Module 5

About this course

  • $295.00
  • 25 lessons
  • 11.5 hours of video content

Instructor(s)

Instructor Bio:

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