What are the differences between Lite-Touch and Zero-Touch installation?

In this short article, we will discuss “What are the differences between Lite-Touch and Zero-Touch installation?”. But then, what is Windows Deployment Services  (WDS)? WDS is a server technology from Microsoft for performing network-based installation of Windows Operating Systems (OS). Please see how to add boot and install images to WDS and configure Multicast transmission via the GUI and WDSUTIL, and how to deploy images to computers or virtual machines using WDS.

Furthermore, WDS is a server role that you can deploy on Windows Server. Kindly refer to the following guides for more information on WDS and MDT. Windows Deployment Services: How to setup and install WDS role. How to configure DHCP Server option 60, 66, and 67 for WDS. And how to remove Windows Deployment Services role via the GUI and PowerShell.

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT)

MDT is a unified collection of tools, processes, and guidance for automating desktop and server deployment. You can use it to create reference images or as a complete deployment solution. See this guide for the differences between MDT and WDS?

Types of WDS Deployment

The main difference between Lite-Touch and Zero-Touch Deployment is that Lite-Touch Deployment requires some user interaction. While Zero Touch Deployment does not require any user interaction.

Please refer to the following guides on how to deploy a VM via PXE boot. 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 – Hyper-V.

Lite Touch Installation (LTI)

LTI is a high-volume deployment strategy for small to midsized organizations that combine the use of MDT with WDS. This allows Administrators to deploy PC via network-based installation. Lite Touch Deployment requires some user interaction. It can be installed from a network share or media using an optical disc or USB flash drive etc. MDT is required for this deployment.

Zero Touch Installation (ZTI)

ZTD is a fully automated deployment. Therefore, in this installation, no user interaction is required. 

However, it requires a continuous network connection to the distribution point. Microsoft Endpoint Manager Configuration Manager, previously called SCCM is required for this deployment.

Here is a detailed article on the unified collection of tools that are applied”ADK, MDT, and WDS: How to deploy Windows using MDT, and WDS“.

I hope you found this blog post helpful on “What are the differences between Lite-Touch and Zero-Touch installation”? If you have any questions, please let me know in the comment session.