Installing windows with OSDCloud

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Step 1: Preparing Your Environment for OSDCloud Installation

This is a quick step. For more in-depth details, please visit OSDCloud.com.

Introduction

Before you begin the process of installing Windows using OSDCloud, it's crucial to prepare your environment. This preparation ensures that your system is ready and equipped with all necessary tools to facilitate a smooth and successful installation. Here are the detailed steps to set up your environment effectively.

Installing Essential Software

Windows ADK and WinPE Add-ons
- Begin by downloading and installing the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (Windows ADK) and the Windows PE add-on for the Windows ADK. These tools are essential for creating deployment solutions and customizing Windows PE, which is vital for the OSDCloud process.
- You can download these tools from the following links:
  - Windows ADK
  - Windows PE Add-ons
- After installation, ensure to open the Deployment and Imaging Tools Environment as an Administrator to proceed with the configurations.
PowerShell 7+
- OSDCloud requires the latest version of PowerShell, a more powerful scripting environment than its predecessors. Ensure you have PowerShell 7 or newer installed on your system.
- Download PowerShell 7.4 from Microsoft.

Configuring PowerShell

Set PowerShell Execution Policy
- To allow scripts to run in PowerShell, you might need to change the execution policy, especially if it's restricted on your system. This setting enables you to run scripts and enhances security by controlling the execution of PowerShell scripts.
- Run this command to modify the execution policy:
```
Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned
```

Install OSDCloud Module
- With PowerShell updated, the next step is to install the OSDCloud module. This module provides the necessary commands to download and deploy Windows images directly from the internet.
- Launch PowerShell as an Administrator and execute the following command:
```
Install-Module OSDCloud
```
- To import the OSDCloud module, run:
```
Import-Module OSDCloud
```
- To create a new OSDCloud template, run:
```
New-OSDCloudTemplate
```

Conclusion

By completing these steps, your environment will be fully prepared for using OSDCloud to install Windows. Each component plays a crucial role in the setup and ensures that the subsequent steps of creating boot media and deploying Windows can proceed without issues.