MDT Workbench Crashes when opening WinPE tab Properties

Before diving into the issue resolution, let’s first discuss what the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) is. MDT is a tool that helps automate and streamline the deployment of Windows operating systems and applications. This article discusses the Fix MDT Workbench Crashes when opening WinPE tab Properties. Please see MySQL Workbench could not connect to MySQL server, “Windows PE working for Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022“, and How to deploy WordPress on Azure App Service.

The Deployment Workbench provides a graphical interface for managing deployment tasks as mentioned above and with this tool. You can configure deployment shares, create task sequences, add drivers and updates, and customize the deployment process. It helps in scenarios like when you need to fix crashes in MDT Workbench caused by opening the WinPE tab.

MDT simplifies the setup and execution of large-scale Windows deployments by providing an organized framework for managing all aspects of the deployment process, including troubleshooting crashes when accessing properties in the WinPE tab.

Also, learn the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit processors, NTuser.dat file: How to correctly load Windows Registry Hive, and how to “Download your MySQL database from Azure to a local PC with MySQL Workbench.

Why was the error “MDT has detected an Error in the Snap-in” Prompted?

As you can see from the error message, this snap-in performed a non-valid operation and has been unloaded. This is because of the deprecation of 32-bit support in the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK). This has led to an issue with the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) snap-in, causing crashes when opening WinPE tab properties.

Note: The 32-bit versions of Windows PE are no longer included in the Windows PE add-ons starting with the ADK for Windows 11, version 22H2. The last supported version of 32-bit Windows PE is available in the Windows PE add-on for Windows 10, version 2004.

As such, the 32-bit versions of Windows PE are no longer included in the Windows PE add-ons starting with the ADK for Windows 11. As a result, compatibility issues may arise because MDT is no longer actively developed or updated to address these changes, which can result in crashes when accessing the WinPE tab properties.

Windows PE is a minimal operating system designed to prepare a computer for installation and servicing of Windows. For more information, see Windows PE Technical Reference. This minimal OS plays a crucial role in many functions, including potentially causing crashes when accessing certain properties in MDT Workbench.

Note: The Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) is a separate download from the Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) itself. You may want to learn about these here: What is ADK, MDT, Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (SCCM), Intune, Autopilot, and WSUS.

Note: MDT is no longer developed. Therefore, this change is not reflected in MDT. MDT does not officially support the deployment of Windows 11.

Microsoft recommends using alternative deployment solutions such as Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager as it is more flexible and provides a richer experience for deploying Windows images. Nonetheless, in case you encounter crashes when opening WinPE tab properties, refer to the steps discussed.

Resolution

As you can see from the first error message shared above. There is an exception and the following path could not be found as shown in the image below: “C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Assessment and Deployment Kit\Windows Preinstallation Environment\x86\WinPE_OCs”.

Create the Missing x86/WinPE_OCs Folder

As you can see in the image, this x86 folder is missing. We need to create it to address the issue causing MDT Workbench crashes when accessing WinPE tab properties. Use this link to learn more about this optional component.

Therefore, we will have to manually create this folder in order to mitigate this issue. We really do not care about this but we just need to do this in order to eliminate the error. This is because, by default when you click on the WinPE tab. The x86 is first selected, which can lead to MDT Workbench crashes if the folder is missing.

To do this, I will be using the Command Prompt. You can do this with PowerShell or over the File Explorer.

mkdir "C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Assessment and Deployment Kit\Windows Preinstallation Environment\x86\WinPE_OCs"

Alternatively, you could copy the folder(s) over form a different MDT (WDS) Server that has it.

As you can see below, we have created the folder. I have tested to see if the error persists. It is no longer present.

Note: Microsoft has discontinued support for 32-bit systems starting with the Windows ADK for Windows 10, version 1809, and later versions. This is relevant when addressing issues with 32-bit compatibility and the motivation for Microsoft in discontinuing the support for WinPE.

I hope you found this article very useful on how to Fix MDT Workbench Crashes when opening WinPE tab Properties. Please feel free to leave a comment below.