Import an Operating System into the Deployment Workbench

You can import operating systems into the Deployment Workbench using the options listed in Table 31. You manage this import in the Import Operating System Wizard in the Deployment Workbench.

Table 31. Options for Importing Operating Systems into the Deployment Workbench

Option	Select this option to import an operating system from
Full set of source files	Windows distribution media, such as a DVD, CD, or equivalent media source.
Custom image file	A WIM image that was previously captured for deployment, typically from a reference computer.
Windows Deployment Services images	Images that exist on computers running Windows Deployment Services.

Note Always import operating systems from operating system sources that have the most recent updates. Doing so helps reduces the management effort and network traffic when applying the updates after the target operating system has been deployed. For example, import Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 operating systems from slipstreamed sources, or import Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Server 2008 operating systems from updated media obtained from Microsoft.

Start the Import Operating System Wizard using one of the following methods:

· In the Deployment Workbench console tree, click the Operating System node or a folder beneath the Operating System node. Then, in the Actions pane, click Import Operating System.

· In the Deployment Workbench console tree, click the Operating System node or a folder beneath the Operating System node. Then, from the Action menu, click Import Operating System.

· In the Deployment Workbench console tree, click the Operating System node or a folder beneath the Operating System node. Then, click Import Operating System.

You can also import operating systems into the Deployment Workbench from:

· Windows distribution media as described in Import an Operating System from Windows Distribution Media

· WIM images previously captured from reference computers as described in Import a Previously Captured Image of a Reference Computer

· Existing WIM images in Windows Deployment Services as described in Import an Operating System from an Existing Windows Deployment Services Image