Microsoft® Windows® Desktop Deployment Resource Kit

Chapter 14. Preinstallation Environment

Half the job of installing Microsoft Windows XP Professional or building disk images is starting the computer. Microsoft Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) is just another way to start computers; it is similar to using MS-DOS, only better. It allows you to more fully automate the installation process than using MS-DOS does. This chapter describes how to use, customize, and automate Windows PE for the purpose of installing Windows XP Professional in enterprise environments.

In this chapter:

Exploring Windows PE

Using Windows PE as an Installation Platform

Customizing Windows PE

Starting Windows PE

Automating Installations

Best Practices

Checklist

• Have you designed and built the Windows XP Professional ...