A distribution share is an optional storage folder for third-party drivers, applications, and packages issued by Microsoft, such as security bulletins. To create a distribution share, you must first create a distribution-share folder.

You can create a distribution-share folder manually, or by using Windows® System Image Manager (Windows SIM). The procedures in this topic describe how to create a distribution-share folder.

After you create the distribution share with the required subfolders, you can add files to the subfolders by using Windows SIM or Windows Explorer.

Note:

You must use Windows SIM to add packages. For more information, see Add Packages to a Distribution Share.

To create a distribution share by using Windows SIM

  1. In Windows Explorer, create a new folder where you would like to place the distribution share. This folder can be on a network share (example: \\network_share\MyDistributionShare) or on your local computer (example: C:\MyDistributionShare).

  2. In the Distribution Share pane, right-click Select a Distribution Share, and select Create Distribution Share.

    The Create a Distribution Share window appears.

  3. Navigate to the folder you created in Step 1, and click Open.

    In the Distribution Share pane, the distribution share folder opens. Windows SIM automatically creates a folder structure for the distribution share.

To create a distribution share manually

  1. In Windows Explorer, create a new folder where you would like to place the distribution share. This folder can be on a network share (example: \\network_share\MyDistributionShare) or on your local computer (example: C:\ MyDistributionShare).

  2. Inside this folder, create the following subfolders:

    $OEM$ Folders

    Packages

    Out-of-Box Drivers

    LangPacks

    Note:

    Windows SIM recognizes only these subfolder names. A minimum of one of the four folders must be present to be a valid distribution share. The subfolder names must match exactly to enable Windows SIM to read the subfolder contents.

See Also