Automatically Update your MDT Reference Images
Typical workflow for handling reference images in MDT:
- Import OS install media from an ISO you downloaded off Technet / Microsoft Volume Licensing
- Build a task sequence to deploy it (I call this my Build Image task)
- Capture it to the Captures folder on your deployment share
- Import the captured OS
- Build a task sequence to deploy it (I call this my Deploy Image task)
- Create a script called Relocate.cmd in your Scripts directory off the Deployment Share that contains the following one-liner:
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move /Y "%DEPLOYDRIVE%Captures%1.wim" "%DEPLOYDRIVE%Operating Systems%1"
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- Create your Build Image task. Keep the ID short. For example, let’s say we’re deploying a general purpose Windows 8 image. My Task Sequence ID that builds the reference image is 8_GP
- Run this task sequence and capture your reference image. Make sure to save it to the Captures folder and name it after your task sequence. For my example, this is .Captures8_GP.wim
- This one time, you’ll need to use the Import Operating System wizard. Be sure to name the folder for this operating system to match your task sequence that builds the reference image. For my example, I have .Operating Systems8_GP8_GP.wim
- Go back into your Build task sequence and add a custom task that runs the following command as the final step (you don’t need to set the Start In value):
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cmd /? %SCRIPTROOT%Relocate.cmd %TaskSequenceID%
Note: Do to ever-vigilent WordPress Security, I had to change out the letter C to a question mark. Pleaee change it back when trying on your own.
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- Create your new Deploy Image task sequence using the OS from the previous step. I recommend that for your Task Sequence ID you use something like 8_GP_DEPLOY