Businesses that need to deploy Windows in a larger environment often require customization before they can go about their operations and processes. This large-scale deployment is carried out by IT professionals and system administrators on many computers using the toolset, known as the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit, or simply, Windows ADK.
Microsoft Windows ADK is a collection of tools that you can combine to prepare, assess, and launch image-based large-scale Windows deployments. These tools are also used to test the operating system’s quality and performance, as well as the applications running on it.
The Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit was earlier known as the Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK).
Windows ADK can be deployed on a broad range of devices, such as desktops, notebooks, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, etc. This toolkit works across platforms that work with devices with and without screens.
Windows ADK was first introduced in Windows Vista and since then has always been available in the latest Windows operating systems. The tools currently available in Windows ADK have varied through the years, but currently, they include the following:
- Windows System Image Manager
- Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE)
- Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool (DISM)
The key advantage of using Windows ADK for IT teams is to apply different tools to test software, drivers, and hardware compatibility before finally moving to Windows 11 or 10.
The Application Compatibility Toolkit, for instance, lets developers and IT professionals test how 32 and 64-bit Windows applications work on a new operating system before the final installation. IT admins can also use Windows ADK to automate large-scale deployments of Windows.
Download Windows 10 and 11 ADK Versions
On a high level, Windows ADK has two different formats, which have their own versions. One format is reserved for Windows Insider Preview users. The other format is available publicly and can be downloaded via the Windows ADK page on Microsoft’s website.
The variant available publicly is usually around 2 MB in size and comes in different versions, where each new release of Windows ADK involves new features and product enhancements.
If you want to know about the version history, take a look at the list below:
| Windows ADK Versions | Download Links |
| Windows ADK for Windows 11 22H2 | Download ADK Download WinPE Addon |
| Windows ADK for Windows 11 21H2 | Download ADK Download WinPE Addon |
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 22H2 | Download ADK Download WinPE Addon |
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 21H2 | Download ADK Download WinPE Addon |
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 21H1 | Download ADK Download WinPE Addon |
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 20H2 | Download ADK Download WinPC Addon |
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 2004 | Download ADK Download WinPE Addon |
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 1909 | Download ADK Download WinPE Addon |
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 1903 | Download ADK Download WinPE Addon |
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 1809 | Download ADK Download WinPE Addon |
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 1803 | Download ADK |
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 1709 | Download ADK |
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 1703 | Download ADK |
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 1607 | Download ADK |
| Windows ADK for Windows Insider Preview | Download ADK |
The Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE) comes as a separate download from the Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK), before Windows 10 version 1809. To add Windows PE to your ADK installation, you need to download and install the Windows PE add-on after installing the ADK.
When it comes to features, Windows 10 ADK allows you to select specific features at the time of installation. You can pick and choose the exact features you want to include in the toolkit. The options include:
- Application Compatibility Tools
- Deployment Tools
- Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE)
- Imaging and Configuration Designer (ICD)
- Configuration Designer
- User State Migration Tool (USMT)
- Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT)
- Windows Performance Toolkit
- Windows Assessment Toolkit
- Microsoft User Experience Virtualization (UE-V)
- Application Virtualization Sequencer (App-V)
- Microsoft Application Virtualization Auto Sequencer (App-V)
- Media experience Analyzer
In general, these features let you perform the following functions:
- Add product branding, applications, along with settings
- Keep Windows up to date with the latest updates, language packs, and drivers
- Look for and identify application compatibility
- Perform user data migration between Windows installations
- Manage bulk activation of Windows
How to Install Windows ADK
Since you can only install one version of Windows ADK at a time, you will need to uninstall any existing ADK installation before installing the new one.
Otherwise, you will need to install the new ADK using the command line for multiple ADK versions working on the same computer.
Follow these steps to install Windows ADK using the traditional method:
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Download the correct ADK version from above.
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Run the “adksetup.exe” file to start the installation.
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Now select “Download the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit for installation on a separate computer” and click Next.
Install ADK on a separate computer -
Select either Yes or No for Windows Kits Privacy and click Next.
Select privacy preferences -
Click Accept to agree to the licensing terms.
Accept license agreement The download process will now start.
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Once downloaded, close the wizard.
Close the wizard
After the download process is complete, you can move the downloaded files onto the computer on which you want to install Windows ADK.
If you wish to install it on the current computer, then you must select the first option “Install the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit on this computer” in Step 3 above and then select the components to install.
Download and Install WinPE Add-On
As discussed earlier in the article, starting with Windows 10 ADK version 1809, WinPE is no longer part of the ADK tool. If you wish to get WinPE, follow these steps to download and install the add-on:
Note: The minimum estimated disk space required is 6.0 GB for the WinPE add-on. Hence, it may take longer for the installation to finish than the ADK. The package includes Windows PE(x86), Windows PE (AMD64), Windows PE (ARM), and Windows PE (ARM64).
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Begin by downloading the WinPE setup file from the links given above for your respective OS version.
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Run the downloaded “adkwinpesetup.exe” file.
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The rest of the process is the same as Windows ADK installation.
Windows ADK Validation
To confirm the Windows ADK installation on a device, follow these steps:
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Open the Programs and Feature applet by typing in “appwiz.cpl” in the Run Command box.
Open Programs and Features -
Check that Windows ADK and Windows PE have been installed.
Windows ADK has been installed
Conclusion
In order to deploy Windows OS on a large scale, you need a Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit. This article covers the basics of the Windows ADK toolkit, its download links directly from Microsoft, and how to install it.
You can also use this tool and its add-on in conjunction with Windows Deployment Server to level up your automation and operations.
It’s important for IT admins to know everything is going to work before they deploy Windows 10 desktops. They can use the tools in the Windows ADK to do just that and more.
The Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit is the go-to resource for IT administrators who want to assess their Windows systems and components before they deploy them to users.
Windows ADK, which has been around since the introduction of Windows Vista, is loaded with tools to help IT automate large-scale Windows deployments. The exact tools have changed a bit over the years, but the current lineup includes some staples, such as Windows System Image Manager (Windows SIM), System Preparation (Sysprep) and Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE), as well as the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool. DISM and WinPE are included with Windows itself. DISM runs at the command line, and WinPE is part of the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) that the Windows Installer builds by default. Windows SIM and SysPrep are included only in the ADK.
WinPE is probably the most important tool of the bunch because it provides a basic Windows runtime environment that admins can use to support the Windows OS installer and other key software components during OS deployment on target PCs.
Windows ADK versions
IT professionals can find two of the three current versions of Windows ADK on the Download the Windows ADK page in the Microsoft Hardware Dev Center. One version is for Windows 10 version 1703, and the other is for version 1607. A third version exists for the Windows 10 Insider Preview.
There’s a huge amount of capability and functionality in the various tools in the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit.
Each download consists of a version-specific downloader to a related set of files and applications. None is more than 1.7 MB in size. The on-disk sizes of the actual downloads vary from 3.1 GB (Insider Preview) to 4.4 GB (Current Branch version with all download options selected). The Insider Preview version packages the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit in an ISO file for download and installation.
What tools make up the Windows ADK?
The Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit consists of a host of tools that admins can pick from when they install the program. The options include:
Application Compatibility Toolkit: Tools developers and admins can use to assess the suitability and compatibility of 32- and 64-bit Windows applications for Windows 10. They can primarily use it to evaluate changes or upgrades to homegrown or proprietary software and applications.
Deployment tools: A collection of tools admins can use to create and manage Windows images for installation, including help files, software developer’s kits and image tools, in both 32- and 64-bit versions. They also include a modern version of Windows SIM.
WinPE: The basic Windows runtime environment that brings up enough of an OS to support repair and recovery, as well as OS install. WinPE sits at the core of the WinRE but offers significantly more functionality if admins sufficiently arm it with additional apps.
Imaging and Configuration Designer: A software tool admins can use to build and flash Windows images, create provisioning packages or set up devices for organizational use.
Configuration Designer: The modern tool of choice for creating provisioning packages for Windows images. It includes various wizards to simplify the process.
User State Migration Tool: A tool for capturing and moving user files, preferences and settings from an older Windows version to a new Windows version as part of an upgrade or migration.
Volume Activation Management Tool: A tool for managing license assignment and activation through Microsoft’s Volume Licensing Service Center. It is common in many organizations with volume licensing agreements.
Windows Performance Toolkit: A collection of tools for analyzing system and graphics performance on Windows platforms to help admins assess their suitability for Windows 10 deployment.
Windows Assessment Toolkit: A console-driven set of tools admins can use to access hardware performance; browsing experiences; apps and application experiences; startup and shutdown; and battery life on target PCs to help assess their suitability for Windows 10 deployment.
Microsoft User Experience Virtualization: A tool that supports the use of virtualized applications within Windows 10 so users can switch among multiple devices and retain the same user experience, along with data and runtime context, without interruption or loss of access.
Media eXperience Analyzer: A GUI that admins can use to collect and analyze media performance on target PCs to assess their suitability for Windows 10 deployment.
There’s a huge amount of capability and functionality in the various tools in the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit. Expect to spend some time learning and experimenting to get the most out of it.
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- Do I need Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit?
- How do I run Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit?
- What is Windows 10 ADK?
- How do I know what version of ADK I have Windows 10?
- Can I remove Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit?
- What is Windows ADK?
- Does Windows 10 upgrade save?
- What is Microsoft Deployment Toolkit used for?
- What is the latest ADK version?
- Where is Windows ADK?
- What are three components of the Windows ADK?
- What is new in ADK kits and tools?
Do I need Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit?
The Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) is required to create a Collection Key to conduct boot scans. The ADK must be installed in its default location and have the features «Preinstallation Environment and Deployment Tools» selected to be installed.
How do I run Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit?
Launch adkwinpesetup.exe and follow the Windows ADK Preinstallation Environment Add-ons wizard. On the Select the features you want to install panel, select the Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) check box. Click Install and complete the installation.
What is Windows 10 ADK?
Management Tools. Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) for Windows 10 provides new and improved deployment tools for automating large-scale deployments of Windows 10.
How do I know what version of ADK I have Windows 10?
Checking the version of Windows ADK
- In the Control Panel, if you are in the Control Panel Home view, select Programs, otherwise skip this step.
- Select Programs and Features.
- Select Assessment and Deployment Kit.
- If you cannot view the version number in the selected line, you can add a column with this information:
Can I remove Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit?
Or, you can uninstall Assessment and Deployment Kit from your computer by using the Add/Remove Program feature in the Window’s Control Panel. When you find the program Assessment and Deployment Kit, click it, and then do one of the following: Windows Vista/7/8: Click Uninstall.
What is Windows ADK?
Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (Windows ADK), formerly Windows Automated Installation Kit (Windows AIK or WAIK), is a collection of tools and technologies produced by Microsoft designed to help deploy Microsoft Windows operating system images to target computers or to a virtual hard disk image in VHD format.
Does Windows 10 upgrade save?
Yes, upgrading from Windows 7 or a later version will preserve your personal files (documents, music, pictures, videos, downloads, favorites, contacts etc, applications (ie. Microsoft Office, Adobe applications etc), games and settings (ie.
What is Microsoft Deployment Toolkit used for?
Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) is a software package primarily used to deploy images to a large number of physical machines. MDT, unlike its big brother System Configuration Manager (SCCM), is a free product by Microsoft and is relatively simple to use.
What is the latest ADK version?
List of Windows 10 ADK Versions and Downloads
| Windows 10 ADK Versions | Version | Download Link |
|---|---|---|
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 1709 | 10.1.16299 | Link |
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 1703 | 10.1.15063 | Link |
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 1607 | 10.1.14393.0 | Link |
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 1511 | 10.1.10586.0 | Link |
Where is Windows ADK?
You can use this option only if you are running ADK Setup from the Internet. The <path> argument is optional; if you omit it, Windows ADK Setup stores installer files in the %USERPROFILE%\Downloads\Windows Kits\8.1\ADK directory.
What are three components of the Windows ADK?
The tools available in the Windows ADK have fluctuated through the years, but currently they include Windows System Image Manager, System Preparation, Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE) and the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool (DISM).
What is new in ADK kits and tools?
The Windows ADK now includes Windows Imaging and Configuration Designer, the Windows Assessment Toolkit, the Windows Performance Toolkit, and several new and improved deployment tools that can help you automate a large-scale deployment of Windows 10.
This post contains a list of all the Windows 10 ADK versions, the ADK release history, and download links. Windows ADK version 10.1.26100.1 (May 2024) is the latest one available for Windows 10 and Windows 11.
The Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit was formerly known as the Windows Automated Installation Kit. The Microsoft Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) is a collection of tools that you can combine to prepare, assess, and launch image-based large-scale Windows deployments. These tools are also used to test the operating system’s quality and performance, as well as the applications running on it.
Every new release of Windows ADK for Windows 10 contains new features and enhancements. To keep track of new features and improvements in every Windows 10 ADK release, refer to the What’s new in the ADK tools article.
ADK Installation Modes
Windows ADK can be installed in two modes: online mode and offline mode. The setup files are downloaded and installed from the internet when the ADK installer is run in the online mode. In the offline install mode, you first download the ADK setup files from the internet and then run the installer. To install Windows 10 ADK, refer to the instructions below.
- Install Windows 10 ADK offline
- Install or Update Windows ADK on SCCM Server
Windows ADK is released separately for Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022 operating systems. Take a look at Windows 11 ADK version and downloads guide to learn about all the ADK versions released for Windows 11 OS.
Windows 10 ADK Features
All the Windows 10 ADK versions include the following features: When installing Windows ADK for SCCM or ADK manually for a PC, you have the option to install the following features:
- Application Compatibility Tools
- Deployment Tools
- Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE)
- Imaging and Configuration Designer (ICD)
- Configuration Designer
- User State Migration Tool (USMT)
- Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT)
- Windows Performance Toolkit
- Windows Assessment Toolkit
- Microsoft User Experience Virtualization (UE-V)
- Application Virtualization Sequencer (App-V)
- Microsoft Application Virtualization Auto Sequencer (App-V)
- Media experience Analyzer
Note: Starting with Windows 10, version 1809, the Windows Preinstallation Environment (PE) is released separately from the ADK. After installing the ADK, you can add Windows PE by downloading the Windows PE Addon and running the installer that comes with it. After you run the installer, the WinPE files will be in the same location as they were in previous ADK installs.
List of Windows 10 ADK Versions and Downloads
All the Windows 10 ADK versions are listed below, along with download links. As and when the new ADK versions for Windows 10 are released, I will update this post.
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 Version | ADK Version | Windows 10 ADK Download Link |
|---|---|---|
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 22H2 | A Windows ADK for Windows 10, version 22H2 will not be released. You can use the Windows ADK for Windows 10, version 2004 to deploy Windows 10 22H2. | NA |
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 21H2 | A Windows ADK for Windows 10, version 21H1 will not be released. You can use the Windows ADK for Windows 10, version 2004 to deploy Windows 10 21H2. | NA |
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 21H1 | A Windows ADK for Windows 10, version 21H1 will not be released. You can use the Windows ADK for Windows 10, version 2004 to deploy Windows 10 21H1. | NA |
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 20H2 | A Windows ADK for Windows 10, version 20H2 will not be released. You can use the Windows ADK for Windows 10, version 2004 to deploy Windows 10 20H2. | NA |
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 2004 | 10.1.19041.1 | Link |
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 1909 | A Windows ADK for Windows 10, version 1909 will not be released. You can use the Windows ADK for Windows 10, version 1903 to deploy Windows 10, version 1909. | NA |
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 1903 | 10.1.18362.1 | Link |
| Windows 10 ADK version Insider Preview | Link | |
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 1809 | 10.1.17763.1 | Link |
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 1803 | 10.1.17134 | Link |
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 1709 | 10.1.16299 | Link |
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 1703 | 10.1.15063 | Link |
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 1607 | 10.1.14393.0 | Link |
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 1511 | 10.1.10586.0 | Link |
| Windows ADK for Windows 10 version RTM | 10.0.26624.0 | Link |
| ADK for Windows 10 | 10.0.10240.0 | Link |
| ADK for Windows 8 | 8.100.26629 | Link |
| AIK for Windows 7 | Link |
Still Need Help?
If you need further assistance on the above article or want to discuss other technical issues, check out some of these options.
In this article, I will cover the steps to install Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit in Windows Server 2022. There are two ways to install the ADK on Windows: via the GUI or the command line. The Windows ADK (Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit) and PE (Windows Preinstallation Environment) add-ons are additions of tools and technologies manufactured by Microsoft designed to help install Microsoft Windows operating system images on the target system.
We need to download ADK – Windows PE and then install them one by one. First, we install Windows ADK and then add Windows PE to our ADK installation.
Visit the Microsoft website to download the Windows ADK and Download Windows PE Add-on.
Downloaded ADK Setup files
Download Offline Windows ADK
Download Offline Windows PE
Install Windows Assessment and Deployment KIT
Once you download the ADK offline version, mount the ISO file, then double-click to run adksetup.
Windows Assessment and Deployment kit install wizard
If you need to download and Install Windows ADK offline on a system that doesn’t have Internet access, select the second option and download the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit for installation on a separate system. Download the ADK installer files on a computer that has internet access. Copy the ADK-download files to a directory and run the installation in that directory. Click next.
Select the Windows Kits Privacy setting, and then select Next.
Accept the license agreement, and then click Next.
Select the minimum required component hardware under the required features. If you are developing an operating system deployment environment, you have to choose Deployment Tools and then click Install.
After selecting features, once the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit for Windows installation is completed, it may take a few minutes to complete the ADK installation.
Click Close
How to Install WinPE Add-ons for Windows
Mount the WinPE ISO file, and then run adkwinpesetup.exe as an administrator.
Install the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit and specify the location screen. Select Install the Windows Assortment and Deployment Kit Windows Preinstallation Environment Add-ons” for this system.
Windows Kit privacy screen, click next.
Accept the license agreement.
Select the checkbox for the Windows Preinstallation Environment feature, and then click Next.
The Windows PE installation is in progress.
Click the Finish button.
Refer to this article to learn more about downloading and installing the Windows ADK.
Jamilhttp://jamiltech.com
A Professional Technology Blog Writer | An energetic professional with more than 20+ years of rich experience in Technology, Planning, Designing, Installation, and Networking.