What solution are you guys using for OS deployment these days?

[Iain.Faulkner]

Another for SCCM here, works ok for us (I think I still prefer MDT/WDS) although it does seem to struggle with our current mixture of 64 bit & 32 bit operating systems :-( Hopefully going full 64bit this Summer though so that will remove the issue.

[sparkeh]

With imaging, as an example, making all the drivers work for each machine can and is a pain. Some machines are a breeze. Others? Not so much. With a fat image, including the drivers, it is basically install, capture and deploy. Done.

Whilst I have have the odd issue with drivers the problem usually lies with the driver rather that sccm. Other solutions I have used in the past have had the same issues with difficult drivers.

 

For problematic machines you could capture a reference machine with the drivers installed?

[LeMarchand]

Re drivers: This is almost certainly not Good Practice, but with my setup (WDS/Fat Images) I just turn on a machine from a new batch and backup any drivers (using DoubleDriver or DriverBackup, but I'll try the Powershell method next time) and then push the image out to the same machine. Post image, check Device Manager for missing devices, add them to the driver store and let the system choose what gets installed on subsequent image runs.

[Disease]

We use SCCM here at the moment, although we take a nice fat image and then deploy that across the whole school.

[gshaw]

Micro Focus ZENWorks for our legacy image, MDT built from the base WIM for Windows 10 going forward

[john]

We use MDT and works great for us its a pre-step before full on SCCM. Just feed in drive packs and job done 90% of the time now my team has got it down to an art.

[Boredguy]

We've used MDT for a few years, and use the Database intergration so that as long as the MAC address and basic info is entered in the first time, the stations automatically get named and put into the correct OU every other time with no intervention from us needed once we select the lighttouch boot image.

[clockend25]

MDT here as well. Different task sequences for admin, curriculum and staff laptops, which bangs out Win 10 Education and basic apps, puts them in relevant OUs, sorts encrpytion/wifi etc for laptops. I use SCCM to manage our AV and application deployment, but haven't rolled deployment into it yet. Maybe one day...

[minimoo]

MDT + APPV for most apps

[FragglePete]

MDT here also. Base Windows 10 image is fully updated and only has Office 2016 and USBDLM installed -everything else installed either a part of the script, msi or via BCX.

 

Pete

[jaminben]

Another for MDT (image creation only) then SCCM to deploy image + Apps + AV etc. with WMI queries set to install specific drivers to specific models of PC.

[NB9457]

MDT with a fat image for ICT and then basic builds for Laptops/Staff and deploy software via GP/Impero or PDQ

[CAWJames]

Thanks for the mention of DoubleDriver @dblight I've been looking for something simple like that, for our more exotic PC's!

[Arcolite]

I'm probably in the minority here, but we use the Dell KACE Appliances (now Quest).

 

We use the Dell K2000 to install the Base OS plus Office, then the K1000 to install everything else after install via it's Agent. It's basically SCCM but without the configuration overhead.

[ryanjoachim]

Any tips for creating a "golden" Windows 7 Enterprise image? I keep getting stuck on different driver issues (Dell shop), so I think that's one place I'm not quite understanding how to best work with it.

Drivers and the task sequences are something I really need to read up on.

[LeMarchand]

Any tips for creating a "golden" Windows 7 Enterprise image?

 

Do you create it as a VM and use whatever process you prefer for drivers post image?

[ryanjoachim]

Yes, I'm using a VM to handle all the configurations and application installs. My issue seems to be a problem right after the sysprep - on the first reboot I'm given a "Windows failed to start" error referring to a missing driver.

[LeMarchand]

Yes, I'm using a VM to handle all the configurations and application installs. My issue seems to be a problem right after the sysprep - on the first reboot I'm given a "Windows failed to start" error referring to a missing driver.

 

Are you using the generalize option with the sysprep? And do you mean the VM doesn't reboot (so you can capture it) or subsequent installs to hardware don't boot?

[Guest MD5T]

SCCM here, although I actually hate it !

[6Foot2]

SCCM here, although I actually hate it !

Interesting! What would you prefer?

[CAWJames]

SCCM here, love it until we have a new type of computer, then its install, add driver, reinstall, add x, reinstall, add y, etc ad infinitum! Hoping the mention of DoubleDriver above will help things. Oh and bonus of "free" AV(and control of Defender on 10) paid for it, Symantec were not happy to not receive their multiple thousands of AV tax pounds that year

[minimoo]

Am i the only person using appv? ;/

[Guest MD5T]

Interesting! What would you prefer?

 

Ghost, FOG, Clonezilla SE. I just find SCCM to unstable and too fussy.

[CAWJames]

I keep toying with app-v as an alternative for those power users who have workstations where a vdi desktop wouldn't be appropriate, as we are at the crossroads of investing in client side or server side and maybe moving to a vdi scenario, to support our geographically diverse workforce better. but for the moment SCCM and the big booming voice "Turn them on, they will build" suits us fine. PXE enabled DP's at the remote centres and away!

[k-strider]

Love Fog been using it for years using 1.3 now, we do have SCCM but i dont use it for deployment. FOG handles windows 7 through to 10 reall nice though we are almost entierly windows 10 now.

Use clonezilla for our student laptop scheme becuase they are dual VHD boot laptops and clonezilla handles this nicely.