Windows PE working for Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022

The Windows ADK and Windows PE add-on provide tools for customizing Windows images for large-scale deployment and testing system quality, performance, and applications running on it. Therefore, In this article, we shall discuss the new fix for Windows PE working for Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022. Please see how to install Endpoint Configuration Manager on HyperV VM, and learn the “Differences between Capture image, Discover image, Install and Boot images.

Below is the issue, this guide tends to give more information on. Please see how to fix “Workaround and Permanent fix for this snap-in performed a non-valid operation and has been unloaded: To continue using this snap-in restart MMC or try loading the snap-in again“.

Why is the Problem with WinPE no longer present?

On April 9, 2024, Microsoft released a Windows security updates that should be applied to the Windows PE add-on for Windows ADK 10.1.25398.1 to work with Windows Server 2022, and Windows 10 version 2004 and earlier as shown in the image below.

Therefore I have decided to install Windows ADK 10.1.26100.1 (May 2024) , and WinPE for this version.

ADK 10.1.25398.1 (updated September 2023) Windows PE boot images aren’t supported for use with the below and as such. You are unable to deploy Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022.

• VBScript doesn’t work in WinPE.
• The Pre-provision BitLocker task doesn’t work in WinPE. Previously, we had version 10.1.25398.1 (updated September 2023) installed. Rather use a newer ADK 10.1.26100.1 (May 2024) (10.1.26100.1) or newer where these issues are resolved.

Please see Windows Deployment Services: How to setup and install WDS role, how to install Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol on Windows Server 2019, and Configuring DHCP: Post-deployment of Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol.

What are the fixes available?

Note: April 9, 2024 Microsoft released Windows security updates that should be applied to the Windows PE add-on and ADK 10.1.25398.1 (updated September 2023). Then you can update the Windows PE add-on once, or create bootable Windows PE media and apply Windows update to the Windows PE media.

Note: But I have decided to uninstall and reinstall the newer versions newer ADK 10.1.26100.1 (May 2024) (10.1.26100.1) where the issue have been resolved.

Download Windows ADK and WinPE

First, download and Install Windows ADK from this link. I will download it from here since I am concerned about ADK 10.1.26100.1 (May 2024), and WinPE Add-on for Windows ADK.

The Windows ADK 10.1.26100.1 (May 2024) and the Windows PE add-on for this ADK support the following OS releases:

• Windows Server 2025, and Windows Server 2022
• Windows 11, version 24H2 and all earlier supported versions of Windows 10 and 11

Uninstall Windows ADK and WinPE

To correctly install this version of Windows ADK and WinPE, we must uninstall any previous versions and reinstall this current version that supports Windows 11 v24H2 and Windows Server 2022, and 2025.

Please see how to uninstall and upgrade ADK, WinPE, and MDT, and how to check the version of Windows ADK.

To uninstall, please launch Windows Settings or Control Panel as shown below

Both Windows ADK and WinPE Has been uninstalled as shown below.

Install Windows ADK and WinPE

Note: It is always recommended to use the ADK version that matches the Windows version you are working with.

If your environment has a mix of Windows versions say Windows 10 and Windows 11, use the ADK version that matches the latest operating system in your environment.

Note: If you’re working with Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, see Support for the Windows ADK in Configuration Manager to learn about the versions of the Windows ADK that you can use with different versions of Configuration Manager. Please see “What is ADK, MDT, Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (SCCM), Intune, Autopilot, and WSUS“.

I will start off by installing Windows ADK as shown below by clicking on the setup file.

Select your required features

As you can see, the installation is in progress. When complete click on close.

Next, I will install Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE).

Windows PE is a Lite version of Windows 10 designed for deployment, replacing DOS or Linux boot disks. It requires drivers for network and storage devices in each PC, including the same ones as the full Windows 10, ensuring hardware compatibility. Luckily Windows PE includes the same drivers as the full Windows operating system, which means much of your hardware will work out of the box.

When the installation completes, click on close.

Install Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT)

The Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) is a free tool for automating Windows and Windows Server operating system deployment, leveraging the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) for Windows. Here is a comprehensive guide on ADK|WinPE|MDT: Deploy Windows with WDS.

If you do not already have MDT installed, you should install MDT as well. As you can see, we already have MDT running and as such I do not need to download it.

What Next? MDT

After downloading and installing the Windows PE add-on for the Windows AD. You should be a bale to deploy Windows 10, Windows, 11 and all server versions including Windows server 2022.

Note: Update MDT and upload the New Boot Image to WDS. Depending on your deployment scenario, you may also upload the Install Image to WDS.

For the deployment steps, please see related articles: ADK|WinPE|MDT: Deploy Windows with WDS. Also, learn more on ADK, MDT, Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (SCCM), Intune, Autopilot, and WSUS

I hope you found this blog post helpful on Windows PE working for Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comment session