Microsoft has released a new preview product, this one to help those testing Windows 10 Technical Preview to practice deploying the new operating system in their labs. The Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2013 Update 1 Preview is now available for download.
Here's what Microsoft says is included in the preview:
- Support for the Windows 10 Technical Preview (LTI only) and the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) for Windows 10 Technical Preview
- Split WIM support for UEFI media scenarios
- Completely revised Windows version logic including changes from string to integer comparison (“10” !> “6” but 10 > 6) and a new ZTIUtility function, GetMajorMinorVersion
- Minor revisions to Deployment Workbench console interface
To get the preview, you need to first join the MDT Group on Microsoft Connect, if you're not a member already. Then, prior to downloading the actual preview bits, you'll need to grab the Windows ADK for Windows 10 Technical Preview, which is a prerequisite for running MDT. After that, grab the preview download and you're good to start testing.
Some have figured out how to utilize the current version of MDT 2013 already to deploy Windows 10 through custom hacks. Johan Arwidmark, a popular OS deployment expert and IT/Dev Connections speaker, has provided some guidance on doing this in Create a Windows 10 reference image using MDT 2013. Microsoft must have been listening when Johan said "The development of MDT 2013 is still hopelessly behind the technical preview releases of Windows."
A new build for Windows 10 is expected in days, with the public release of the completed operating system due sometime in the September to October time frame. Your feedback and bug reports for MDT 2013 Update 1 Preview are important. Use the Connect group to submit your comments.
