How to Deploy Windows Images via PXE Boot with WDS

Windows Deployment Services (WDS) is a really interesting tool from Microsoft. In this article, we shall discuss “How to deploy images to computers using PXE Boot”. WDS allows an administrator to remotely deploy Windows operating systems to machines booting from a network adapter. Please see how to Add boot and install images to WDS and configure Multicast transmission via the GUI and WDSUTIL. See the following guide on how to set up a VM via PXE boot on a Generation 1 VM and how to set up a VM via PXE boot on a Generation 2 VM.

Deployment Steps: When we boot our computer, we will use the PXE technology on our Network Interface Card (NIC) to locate the WDS server. The WDS server then sends the boot image to the client. After the client chooses the install image.

This image will be copied from the install image on the WDS server to the client computer. The installation process will appear as if we are running it from a local media, but it is really being streamed from the WDS server.

Please see Windows deployment cannot continue, the operating system is missing via MDT deployment. Also, see Analyse Disks with Treesize: Defragment and Shrink VMware Workstation VM Disks, and how to Map and disconnect Virtual Disk in VMware Workstation.

Establish Client Connection to WDS

To continue the deployment process, please follow the steps below. When the client establishes a connection to the WDS server (PXE Server), you may need to press the F12 key (on legacy BIOS devices) or press the Enter key (on newer UEFI-based devices) to confirm the connection.

If you are using Oracle VirtualBox, you may encounter an error: “No bootable media found system halted: Unable to PXE boot WDS to Virtualbox, see this No bootable media found system halted: Unable to PXE boot WDS to Virtualbox for a fix.

Regardless of the VM or device, you are using, the steps are similar. If you are using a Hyper-V virtual machine, ensure you configure the VM for Pre-Boot Execution Environment (PXE) in your Hyper-V. See the below hyperlinks on how to provision a generation 1 and 2 VM in Hyper-V.

Please see how to set up a VM via PXE boot on a Generation 1 VM – Hyper-V, and how to setup a VM via PXE boot on a Generation 2 VM – Hyper-V.

PXE BOOT Windows Deployment Service

To proceed. select the VM, and click on start as shown below.

You can also right-click on the VM and click on start

Note: The client is able to get an IP Address because we deployed a DHCP role and configured DHCP scopes as well. For how DHCP works, see the How does Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol work.

Install Operating System via PXE Boot

After the server is started, you may get the below windows if you have multiple Operating systems. Click on Enter to continue (If you do not get this window, you will get the next image below.

Deploying images to computers using PXE Boot

Review the Client MAC ADDR, Client IP and Gateway IP, When prompted and press F12 for Network Service Boot (from the WDS server). The machine will start booting via network as shown below.

As you can see, the machine is booting via network and windows os files loading starts.

If the files are loaded successfully, Windows Deployment Service (Windows Setup box) will appear and to continue

Select your local and Keyboard Input (For some reasons, I left the Locale as it is here). Click on Next.

Type a User Name and Password on ensure it is properly formatted with your domain name as shown below, or else it will fail.

Note: This is a lab environment, you should not be using the domain administrator credentials.

If the credentials are correct, you will be prompted to select your desired Operating system. For some difference between boot, install images, capture images etc.

Now you can install windows on a client computer with a normal windows installation process. See the article for how to install Windows Server 2019.

Please see What are the differences between MDT and WDS. Also, see “MDT deployment failed and Stuck at Command Prompt: Windows installation does not proceed via PXE boot“. Here is “How to configure Windows Deployment Services on Windows Server 2019“.

Select OS install drive

Note: In order to proceed with the Window below, ensure you have the right space allocated or else Windows will not be able to install to the Drive. Click on Next

As we can see below, the installation process will continue.

Windows is installing

Select your region in the Window below and click on Yes as shown below

A screen showing the question 'Is this the right region?' with a list of countries including 'United States' highlighted and a 'Yes' button at the bottom.

Accept the License as shown below

Screenshot of the Windows 10 License Agreement, featuring key terms, conditions, and an 'Accept' button.

In the image below, since this is a lab environment, I decided to select “Set up for Personal use”. Click on Next

I have decided to create a local account for my VM. Click on Offline account

Microsoft sign-in screen with options to log in using an email, phone, or Skype. Includes a button for creating an account and an option for offline account access.

I decided to go for limited experience as shown below

Now, you are prompted to enter a name for your account. Entered my Name and I Clicked on Next

User account setup screen with the prompt 'Who’s going to use this PC?' and a text box for entering a name, displaying 'Christian'. Option to use an online account is also presented.

You will be prompted to enter your password and to also confirm the password

Next, you will be requested to create security questions as shown below. Walkthrough the three steps and click on Next

Create security questions for account recovery, featuring a dropdown for selecting the first question and an input field for the answer.

Accept the privacy settings as shown below

In the Next Windows, I selected No since it is a test environment as shown below

A Windows interface prompting users to manage their activity history across devices, featuring a blue background, a message about data privacy, and options to select 'No' or 'Yes'.

Next, Windows will start configuring and applying all settings as shown below

Moreover, Windows 10 installation via PXE boot is finished and completed successfully as shown below. Therefore, we can say we have deployed Windows images to this computer using PXE Boot

Windows welcome screen displaying options to choose language and network discovery setting with 'Yes' and 'No' buttons.

However, I hope you found this blog post on How to deploy images to computers using PXE Boot helpful. Furthermore, Please let me know in the comment session if you have any questions.