Deploy Windows 11

Windows 11 installation can be done in several ways, but one of the most flexible methods is using an ISO file. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to download the Windows 11 ISO, extract the WIM file, determine the correct index for your preferred edition and deploy it from your deployment system.

Step 1: Download the Windows 11 ISO

To install Windows 11, you first need the installation media.

1. Go to the official Microsoft download page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11
2. Scroll down to the "Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)" section.
3. Select Windows 11 from the dropdown and click Download.
4. Choose your preferred language and confirm.
5. Click the 64-bit Download button to start downloading the ISO file.

Step 2: Extract the WIM File from the ISO

The ISO contains all necessary installation files, including install.wim or install.esd. You need to extract this file to access different Windows 11 editions.

Using PowerShell or Command Prompt

1. Mount the ISO:

   • Right-click the downloaded ISO and select Mount.
   • Note the drive letter assigned (e.g., E:\).

2. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and navigate to the mounted drive:

   cd /d E:\sources
   

3. Check if install.wim or install.esd is present:

   dir install.*
   

4. If install.wim is in the ISO, copy it to another location (e.g., C:\Win11):

   copy install.wim C:\Win11\
   

   If install.esd is found instead, you need to convert it to install.wim using DISM:

   dism /Export-Image /SourceImageFile:E:\sources\install.esd /SourceIndex:1 /DestinationImageFile:C:\Win11\install.wim /Compress:max /CheckIntegrity
   

Step 3: Identify the Correct Edition Index

Windows 11 ISO contains multiple editions within install.wim. To determine the correct edition index:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Run the following command to list available editions:

   dism /Get-ImageInfo /ImageFile:C:\Win11\install.wim
   

3. The output will display a list of available editions along with their index numbers. Example output:

   Index : 1
   Name : Windows 11 Home
   Description : Windows 11 Home
   
   Index : 2
   Name : Windows 11 Pro
   Description : Windows 11 Pro
   

4. Note the index number corresponding to the edition you want to install.

Step 4: Create Bootable Media (Optional)

If you need to install Windows 11 on another device, create a bootable USB drive:

1. Download Rufus: https://rufus.ie/
2. Insert a USB drive (at least 8GB) and open Rufus.
3. Select the downloaded Windows 11 ISO.
4. Choose GPT for UEFI systems or MBR for legacy BIOS.
5. Click Start to create the bootable USB.

Step 5: Start the Installation manually (Optional)

1. Boot from the USB drive (enter BIOS/UEFI and select USB as the boot device).
2. Follow the Windows 11 setup wizard.
3. When prompted, select the correct edition matching your license.
4. Complete the installation process and set up your system.

Step 6: Deploy Windows 11 using upKeeper Manager

1. Copy or move install.wim to your distribution point in a suitable folder (e.g., C:\Distribution\OS\Windows_11)
2. Create platform in upKeeper Manager (see screenshot below):
   • Type: Image
   • Name: Windows 11
   • Setup: dism.exe
   • Setup Parameters (change index and path accordingly): /apply-image /imagefile:"Z:\OS\Windows_11\install.wim" /index:2 /applydir:c:\
   • Path: Z:\OS\Windows 11\install.wim
   • Post Command (optional): dism.exe /image:c:\ /Add-Driver /driver:"c:\drivers" /recurse
   • Visible: checked
3. Click Save to create platform.
4. Click Settings tab to add installation configuration. Configuration can be created using "Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit" or example file (settings.xml) included in this article. The computer name setting should include the string [COMPUTERNAME] which will be replaced during installation. <computername>[COMPUTERNAME]<computername>
5. Click Save
6. Wait for upKeeper Manager Application Server to get and save file size and crc values for the platform.
7. Add created platform to computers.
8. Start computers on upKeeper Service Operating System to install/reinstall computers.

This guide ensures you have full control over the Windows 11 installation process, allowing you to install the correct edition efficiently.