Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2013

[Arthur]

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What’s New in This Release?

MDT includes several improvements that adds new features and improves your user experience with MDT. In addition, this release of MDT includes many other small enhancements and bug fixes that are not listed below.

 

Support for Upgrading from Previous Versions of MDT

MDT supports upgrading from MDT 2012 Update 1.

 

Note. Create a backup of the existing MDT infrastructure before attempting an upgrade.

 

Support for Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2

You can use MDT to deploy the Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 operating systems using the LTI, ZTI, and UDI deployment methods. Roles and features specific to Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 are available in the role list.

 

Support for the Windows ADK for Windows 8.1

MDT supports the use of the Windows ADK for Windows 8.1 to deploy operating systems. The Windows ADK for Windows 8.1 includes the Deployment Tools such as the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool, the Windows Pre-installation Environment (Windows PE) and the User State Migration Tool (USMT).

 

Support for System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager

ZTI and UDI deployment methods in MDT support integration with System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager, including new capabilities such as multiple Network Access Accounts.

 

Improved Deployment to x86-based Computers that Use the UEFI Standard

Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) is a specification that defines a software interface between an operating system and platform firmware. UEFI is a more secure replacement for the older basic input/output system (BIOS) firmware interface present in some personal computers, which is vulnerable to malware that performs attacks during the boot or power on self-test processes.

 

By default, MDT creates the appropriate partitions to support computers running UEFI. MDT supports UEFI versions from 2.0 up to 2.3.1. UEFI 2.3.1 is a newer version of UEFI that will be used on Windows 8 logo–compliant computers.

 

For more information about UEFI support in MDT, see the section, "Deploy to Computers with UEFI", in the MDT document Using the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit.

 

What’s Been Removed from This Release?

This release of MDT does not include the following features that existed in previous versions of MDT:

 

• Deployment of Windows 8.1 Preview
  
• Deployment of Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview
  
• ZTI with
  
  • System Center Configuration Manager 2007
    
  • System Center 2012 Configuration Manager
    
  • System Center 2012 Configuration Manager SP1
    
  • System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager Preview
    

  [*]Use of the Windows ADK for Windows 8

  [*]Use of the Windows AIK for Windows 7

  [*]Deployment of Windows XP or Windows Server 2003

  [*]Deployment of Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008

  [*]Out-of-box Group Policy objects (GPOs) from Security Compliance Manager (SCM). Tools and GPOs must be installed with SCM before they can be used in MDT.

Edited October 18, 2013 by Arthur