Introduction

User Driven Installation (UDI) helps simplify the deployment of Windows® client operating systems, such as Windows 7, to computers using the operating system deployment (OSD) feature in Microsoft® System Center 2012 Configuration Manager and System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R3. UDI is part of the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT).

Typically, when deploying operating systems using the OSD feature, you must provide all the necessary information for deploying the operating system. The information is configured in configuration files or in databases (such as the CustomSettings.ini file or the MDT database [MDT DB]). You must provide all configuration settings before you can initiate the deployment.

UDI provides a wizard-driven interface that allows you to provide configuration information immediately prior to performing the deployment. This behavior allows you to create generic OSD task sequences, and then provide computer-specific information at the time of deployment, which provides greater flexibility in the deployment process.