Traditional  Windows Image Deployment Solutions in 2024

Part of a series: Windows 10 end-of-life

While modern device management practices are indisputably replacing the deployment of “fat” Windows images, many organizations still rely on this approach.

“Fat” images that contain not only the operating systems, but also applications can cause an unnecessary proliferation of images that need to be maintained over time. Only include applications in your disk images that will go to every PC. Applications that only go to specific user groups within your organizations should be distributed to PCs after the image has been deployed. Look for deployment tools that support this type of “thin” imaging, or look for a tool to centrally deploy applications after applying your image to PCs.

There used to be many tools that are no longer in the marketplace or no longer support the latest versions of Windows. Their names include: MDT, Ghost, TrueImage, and many others.

Fat Images Aren’t Dead: Top Deployment Tools Still Keeping the Practice Alive

Having said this, several tools continue to support the creation and deployment of these comprehensive images. Here are some notable options as of today are:

• Broadcom’s Symantec Ghost Solution Suite: A commercial imaging solution that allows for the creation and deployment of “fat” images, though it’s considered somewhat outdated.
• Smart Deploy: (Check this one out!) Achieve true hardware independence with a single golden image you can deploy to any Windows endpoint, anywhere. With flexible deployments, automated workflows, and a driver pack library, IT doesn’t get any easier. ( Article: How to create a Windows system image )
• WIM (Windows Image Management) GitHub – Tools is a set of tools to create, modify, and manage your Windows images
• ManageEngine OS Deployer – OS Deployment | Automated Operating System Deployment Tool
• Fog Project: An open-source imaging solution that supports thick image deployment, known for its speed in imaging processes.
• Clonezilla: Another open-source tool that can create and deploy “fat” images quickly.
• Terabyte Image for Windows: The TeraByte OS Deployment Tool Suite (TBOSDTS) Pro version contains a set of powerful scripts that, among other things, will help you deploy Windows to completely different hardware.
• CloneDeploy: A free, open-source alternative to commercial solutions like Ghost Solution Suite, designed for computer cloning and imaging.
• If you are within the Microsoft ecosystem, then Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM): A comprehensive solution from Microsoft that supports task sequences for imaging, making it highly modular and easy to update.
• DISM Overview | Microsoft Learn

While these tools are still available and used, it’s important to note that modern approaches like Microsoft Autopilot and Intune, and equivalent platform implementations like Google Workspaces Endpoint Management , offer more efficient and manageable deployment methods. These newer technologies allow for better management of OS deployment and reduce the need for maintaining multiple images.

Please note that: Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT), the free tool from Microsoft that allows for the creation and deployment of Windows images, including pre-installed applications, does not support Windows 11.

Again – as of this writing, this is no longer best practice, and is considered a traditional method being replaced by Modern Device Management best practices.

References:

• Commit to Modern Device Management
• Modern Device Management Cost Savings Calculator
• A New Vision for Desktop Management – Part 2
• WinPE: Store or split images to deploy Windows using a single USB drive | Microsoft Learn

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