Microsoft Windows SDK User Manual

Download

ContentsContents

Get started

Download and install the Windows ADK

Install the ADK offline

Kits and tools overview

What's new in the Windows ADK

What's new in Windows 11

Design

Customize

Manufacture

Service

Test for performance and compatibility

Get started

3/30/2022 • 2 minutes to read

Start building devices

BUIL D A W IN DOW S PCBUIL D A W IN DOW S PC BUIL D DR IVE RS F OR A WI ND O WS DEV ICEBUIL D DR IVE RS F OR A WI ND O WS DEV ICE

Download the Windows ADK to start building Windows PCs Download the WDK to start building drivers

What's new in Windows 11 What's new in driver development

Design your deployment Develop Universal Windows Drivers

Customize your Windows PC Sign drivers

Create an end-to-end deployment Test drivers

TIPTIP

Design hardware with the latest features

Customize Windows images to reflect your brand

Develop Universal Windows Drivers

Build innovative and differentiated devices with Windows 10 and Windows 11. Windows runs on a broad set of devices—from desktops, notebooks, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The operating system's common core works across platforms with 80-inch screens or devices with no screens at all.

You can create devices to use touch/pen, mouse/keyboard, controller/gesture—or you can build them to switch between input types.

See Kits and tools overview to learn how our kits and tools enable you to work with Windows.

Building a great Windows 10 or Windows 11 device starts with selecting the right components. Understanding the difference between minimum and optimal hardware requirements will ensure the best usability and performance. Our guidelines explain the requirements to implement Windows features like Cortana, Windows Hello, Touch, Windows Pen, and Continuum.

Hardware component guidelines

For desktop PCs, you can use your existing settings file (Unattend.xml) to add settings during Windows installation.

Build a Windows Setup unattend file

Learn fundamental concepts about drivers.

Concepts for all driver developers

Test system components for compatibility and performance

Manufacturing – putting it all together

Create a single driver that runs across multiple device types, from embedded systems to tablets and desktop PCs. UMDF and KMDF templates are included in Visual Studio to help you get started.

Get started with Universal Windows drivers

Write and run test automations with the Test Authoring and Execution Framework (TAEF). Share your tests across disciplines and teams.

Get started with the Test Authoring and Execution Framework (TAEF)

Test your hardware with the Windows Hardware Lab Kit.

Get started with the Windows Hardware Lab Kit

Analyze system and application performance using the Windows Performance Toolkit.

Get started with the Windows Performance step-by-step guides

For desktop PCs, learn strategies to build a set of images for specific markets to meet different customers' needs.

Build and deploy desktop devices

Learn about deploying Windows 10 in S mode, a configuration of Windows 10 Pro that offers a familiar, productive Windows experience that’s streamlined for security and performance.

Windows 10 S manufacturing overview

Build IoT Core devices, applying apps, drivers, and settings to new devices.

Build and deploy IoT Core devices

Download and install the Windows ADK

3/30/2022 • 4 minutes to read

Download the ADK for Windows 11

Choose the right ADK for your scenario

Considerations when you're working with more than one Windows versionConsiderations when you're working with more than one Windows version

The Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (Windows ADK) and Windows PE add-on has the tools you need to customize Windows images for large-scale deployment, and to test the quality and performance of your system, its added components, and the applications running on it. The Windows ADK includes:

The Windows Assessment Toolkit and the Windows Performance Toolkit to assess the quality and performance of systems or components.

Deployment tools such as Windows PE, Sysprep, and other tools that you can use to customize and deploy Windows 10 images.

The Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) as a separate download from the Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK). To add Windows PE to your ADK installation, download and install the Windows PE add-on after installing the ADK.

IMPORTANTIMPORTANT

The 32-bit versions of Windows PE in the Windows PE add-ons for Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022 aren't supported. The last supported version of 32-bit Windows PE is available in the Windows PE add-on for Windows 10, version 2004.

You can use the Assessment and Deployment Kit for Windows to install Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022.

Download the Windows ADK for Windows 11

Download the Windows PE add-on for the Windows ADK for Windows 11

What's new in the Windows ADK

For Windows 10 IoT Core, also download the IoT Core Add-Ins.

For previous versions of the ADK, see Other ADK downloads

If possible, use the ADK version that matches the Windows version you're working with. If your environment has a mix of Windows versions, use the ADK version that matches the latest operating system in your environment.

Windows PE

Deployment tools

Other tools

You can use Windows PE to deploy earlier operating systems.

If you customize Windows PE, make sure to use the WinPE optional components that match the version of Windows PE you're customizing.

Windows 11 is not available in a 32-bit architecture, so the 32-bit version of Windows PE for Windows 11 is not supported. The last supported 32-bit version of Windows PE is for Windows 10, and can't be used to deploy Windows 11.

Newer versions of the Deployment Tools can be used on versions of Windows that are older than the ADK version you're using.

Microsoft Endpoint Configuration ManagerMicrosoft Endpoint Configuration Manager

Other ADK downloads

A DK VERS ION A ND DOW NLO A D L IN KA DK VERS ION A ND DOW NLO A D L IN K DES C RIPT IONDES C RIPT ION

ADK for Windows Insider Preview Windows Insiders can download preview versions of the

ADK. See what's new for Windows Insiders for Business.

Download the ADK For Windows Server 2022: What's new in ADK tools for Windows Server 2022

Not eNot e: The Assessment Toolkit is not available in this release of the ADK, even though the option is available when you run the installer.

Download the ADK for Windows 10, version 2004: This ADK supports Windows 10, version 2004, and later

versions of Windows 10

Download the ADK for Windows 10, version 1903: What's new in ADK for Windows 10, version 1903.

You can use this version to deploy Windows 10, version 1909 as well.

Download the ADK for Windows 10, version 1809: What's new in ADK for Windows 10, version 1809

New as of Windows 10, version 1809, Windows Preinstallation Environment (PE) is avalable separately form the Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK)

ADK for Windows 10, version 1803 What's new in ADK for Windows 10, version 1803

ADK for Windows 10, version 1709 What's new in ADK for Windows 10, version 1709.

For IoT Core for Windows 10, version 1709, also download

the IoT Core Add-Ins v4.4.

ADK for Windows 10, version 1703 What's new in ADK for Windows 10, version 1703.

For IoT Core for Windows 10, version 1703, also download

the IoT Core Add-Ins v3.2.

ADK for Windows 10, version 1607 What's new in ADK for Windows 10, version 1607.

For IoT Core for Windows 10, version 1607, also download

the IoT Core Add-Ins v2.0 (14393_v1).

ADK for Windows 8.1 Use the ADK for Windows 10, version 2004

For USMT, WSIM, and the Assessment kit, use the versions from the ADK that match the OS you're using the tools on.

For other tools, check the documentation to determine compatibility with the OS you're working with.

If you're working with with Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, see Support for the Windows ADK in

Configuration Manager to learn about the versions of the Windows ADK that you can use with different versions

of Configuration Manager.

ADK for Windows Server 2022 Windows PE add-on for the ADK for Windows Server

2022

Windows ADK for Windows 10, version 2004 Windows PE add-on for the ADK, version 2004

Windows ADK for Windows 10, version 1903 Windows PE add-on for ADK, version 1903

Windows ADK for Windows 10, version 1809 Windows PE add-on for ADK, version 1809

Use the Windows Performance Toolkit for Windows

8.1 that's available in the Windows 8.1 SDK Assessments are no longer available

Windows OEM HAL Extension Test Cert 2017 To use the Windows ADK to work with HAL Extensions,

download and install the updated Windows OEM HAL Extension Test Cert 2017 (TEST ONLY) certificate. Learn

more.

A DK VERS ION A ND DOW NLO A D L IN KA DK VERS ION A ND DOW NLO A D L IN K DES C RIPT IONDES C RIPT ION

Install the ADK

Windows ADK tools for IT pros

Related downloads

Install the ADK based on what works best for your environment.

For computers that are connected to the internet, you can use any of the download links above.

For secure manufacturing environments, you can install the Windows ADK offline.

For automated installs, you can silently install the Windows ADK.

Windows ADK contains core assessment and deployment tools that IT Pros can use to deploy Windows 10 company-wide, including the User State Migration Tool (USMT) and Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT).

Learn more about VAMT

Learn more about USMT

Learn more about Application Virtualization (App-V)

Learn more about IT Pro scenarios

Download the Windows Driver Kit

Download the Windows HLK, HCK, or Logo Kit

Download the debugging tools for Windows (WinDbg)

Download the Windows Symbols Packages

Download Windows ADK Insider Preview builds

Install the Windows ADK offline

3/30/2022 • 2 minutes to read

Using the GUI

Using the command line

To install the Windows ADK on a PC that does not have Internet access, first download the installer files on a PC that has internet access. Next, copy the installer files to a location that is accessible to the offline computer. Then run ADKSetup.exe using either the GUI or the command line.

1. On a PC that has Internet access, see Download and install the Windows ADK.

2. Click one of the links to download the ADK version you desire, and Sav eSav e adksetup.exe to a location on your computer.

3. Run ADKSetup.exe. After a few seconds, the Specify L ocationS pecify L ocation screen appears.

IMPORTANTIMPORTANT

4. In the Specify Locati onSpecify Location screen, choose the second option that reads: "Download the Windows Assessment and Deployment Toolkit for installation on a separate computer". (The exact wording might differ, depending on the version of ADK.)

5. Follow the on-screen instruction to finish downloading Windows ADK.

6. Copy the downloaded files to a location that the offline computer can access. For example, copy the files to removable media or to a file server that the target computer can access.

7. On the offline computer, change directory to the location of the copied files.

8. Run ADKSetup.exe, and then select the Windows ADK features that you want to install.

The success of this step requires that you run ADKSetup.exe on a computer with an Internet connection and withoutwithout a copy of Windows ADK installed. If you have Windows ADK installed and do not wish to uninstall it, consider following the instructions in the "Using the command line" section below instead.

If you have a scenario where you need to silently install the Windows ADK, you can install using the command line.

cd %userprofile%\downloads

adksetup /quiet /layout c:\temp\ADKoffline

1. On a PC that has Internet access, see Download and install the Windows ADK.

2. Click one of the links to download the ADK version you desire, and Sav eSav e adksetup.exe to a location on your computer.

3. Open a Command Prompt window as administrator.

4. Change to the directory that stores the Adksetup.exe file:

5. Run adksetup.exe. Use /quiet to run the installer silently. Use /layout to specify where the offline install files will be copied to.

Kits and tools overview

3/30/2022 • 3 minutes to read

ADK for Windows 11

Learn about the ADK toolsLearn about the ADK tools

Microsoft Visual Studio 2017

Standalone Windows SDK for Windows 10

These kits and tools are available for use with Windows 10 for desktop editions (Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education) and Windows 10 Mobile for development and manufacturing.

Learn about known issues and workarounds for this release in our WinHEC forums.

Download the ADK for Windows 11

Download the Windows ADK to install tools and documentation for OEMs and ODMs to customize Windows 10 images, assess the quality and performance of systems or components, and to deploy Windows operating systems to new computers. The Windows ADK includes Windows 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. For more information, see What’s new in kits and

tools.

The topics below provide instructions on using the tools included in the Windows 10 ADK:

Windows Configuration Designer

Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE)

Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM)

Windows System Image Manager (WSIM)

Windows Assessment Toolkit

Windows Performance Toolkit

User State Migration Toolkit (USMT)

Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT)

User Experience Vir tualization (UE-V)

Application Virtualization (App-V)

Install Microsoft Visual Studio 2017

Start by downloading Visual Studio 2017 and Microsoft Visual Studio Tools for Windows 10. Used together, Microsoft Visual Studio, Visual Studio Tools for Windows 10, standalone Windows Software Development Kit (SDK) for Windows 10, and Windows Driver Kit (WDK) 10 provide an integrated development environment for creating efficient, high-quality drivers for devices running Windows 10.

Install the Standalone Windows SDK for Windows 10

Windows SDK for Windows 10 contains headers, libraries, and tools you can use when you create apps that run on Windows operating systems. You can use the Windows SDK for Windows 10, along with your chosen development environment, to write apps for Windows 10 for desktop editions and Windows 10 Mobile.

WDK 10

Enterprise WDK (EWDK)

Windows symbols

Windows Hardware Lab Kit (HLK) for Windows 10

HLK supplemental test content

What else is new?

Install the Windows Driver Kit (WDK) 10

Download Universal Windows driver samples

WDK 10 contains the tools to build, test, debug, and deploy drivers for Windows 10. WDK 10 unifies support for mobile and desktop devices, Universal Windows drivers, and, with Visual Studio, provides a unified test experience with reliable deployment and debug provisioning that includes WinDbg. You can run many basic certification tests in the integrated environment. The WDK 10 includes templates for several technologies and driver models, including Windows Driver Frameworks (WDF), Universal Serial Bus (USB), print, networking, and file system filters. WDK 10 also supports Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 driver development.

For more information about driver development for Windows 10, see What's new in Universal Windows driver

development and What's new in kits and tools.

The Enterprise WDK (EWDK) is a kit that large organizations can use as an alternative to downloading and installing the SDK and WDK individually on each computer. The EWDK has a command-line build environment that is based on files and is not computer-dependent, so after the environment file structure has been created, it can be distributed for direct use, such as through version control software or by zipping the contents and unzipping on other computers. It contains the necessary elements to build

Windows Driver Model

(WDM)

drivers, WDF drivers, and classic Windows test applications.

Symbol files make it easier to debug your code. The easiest way to get Windows symbols is to use the Microsoft

Symbol Server. If you prefer to download the entire set of symbols for a particular version of Windows, download a symbol package.

Download the HLK for Windows 10

The Windows Hardware Lab Kit (HLK) for Windows 10 is an all-purpose test and measurement kit to help you determine how well your hardware interacts with Windows. The HLK provides a test infrastructure for PCs. For more information on the using the HLK with Windows 10, see Windows Hardware Lab Kit User's Guide.

Some tests, like graphics and multimedia tests, require additional files for testing. You can find this content in the Windows HLK supplemen tal m edia test contentWindows HLK supplemen tal m edia test content section on the Download the Windows HLK, HCK, or Logo

Kit page.

See What's new in kits and tools

What's new in the ADK tools

3/30/2022 • 9 minutes to read

What's new in the ADK for Windows 11

Assessment toolkit known issuesAssessment toolkit known issues

What's new in the ADK for Windows Server 2022

Windows Performance Recorder (WPR

)

Windows Performance Recorder (WPR

)

Windows Performance AnalyzerWindows Performance Analyzer

What's new in the Windows ADK for Windows 10, version 2004

Windows Performance Recorder (WPR

)

Windows Performance Recorder (WPR

)

What's new in the Windows ADK for Windows 10, version 1903

Windows Performance Analyzer (WPA

)

Windows Performance Analyzer (WPA

)

Modern Standby performance assessmentModern Standby performance assessment:

Microsoft Edge performan ce assessmentMicrosoft Edge performan ce assessment: On entry-level hardware with low memory or two cores, the results may show an large amount of outliers in the results distribution due to a race condition in the test logic. In that case, only the fastest iterations should be considered valid.

Microsoft Store App perf ormance ass ess m entMicrosoft Store App perf ormance ass ess m ent: If you don't specify a filter the test may fail on ARM64 when trying to assess some infrastructure appx packages. If this happens, you can specify a filter to only test the apps you desire, or add the failing package name to blocklist.txt.

If you enable the new LockScreen option: For the "When should Windows require you to sign-in again" question in the Settings app sign-in options, make sure to select "When PC wakes up from sleep".

Some regions of interests may randomly appear in the Windows Assessment Toolkit assessment report due to a known issue in Windows Performance Toolkit. Re-analysis of the results may correct the issue.

See Windows Assessment Toolkit for more information about the Windows Assessment Toolkit.

The WPR command line has a few new features and updates to improve your developer analysis. See What's

New in the Windows Performance Toolkit for more information.

WPA's code structure and tooling has been rewritten with early support of the Performance Toolkit SDK. With the rewrite, WPA is now a self contained .NET Core 3.1 application, allowing for extensibility by loading plugins to process any specific data sources (outside of ETL).

To learn more, please see our readme.

See What's New in the Windows Performance Toolkit for known issues with the updated code structure and tooling.

New S k ipPDBGen OptionNew SkipPDBG en Option - During WPR stop, you can now specify in the command line the ability to skip generation of PDBs (NGen & Embedded) to help reduce trace stop time.

wprwpr -stop-stop <

recording filename

> <

Problem description

> [-s kipPdbGen-skipPdbGen ]

The latest WPA has two new features:

Windows System Image Manager known issueWindows System Image Manager known issue

Windows Assessment Toolkit known issueWindows Assessment Toolkit known issue

What's new in the Windows ADK for Windows 10, version 1809

Windows PEWindows PE

WPTWPT

Retail Demo Experience (RDX)

Answer file setting changesAnswer file setting changes

Right-Click Tooltips for Column HeadersRight-Click Tooltips for Column Headers - Use this for “one click” changes to ColumnColum n Aggr egationAggr egation , FormatFormat, and ModesModes.

Utility Colum ns for CPU Tables (Sampled & Preci se)Utility Colum ns for CPU Tables (Sampled & Preci se) - This augments the WeightWeight or UsageUsage columns values by performance characteristics of the Processor Architecture.

When using Window System Image Manager (SIM), you might encounter errors if the ADK is installed on a device running a 64-bit version of Windows. To create unattended Windows Setup answer files on a 64-bit version of Windows, download the WSIM 1903 update, and follow the included installation instructions.

Hashes for the WSIM 1903 update download:

SHA1 - EB6F0DDE2CBEF44261174E23BFF844418E1CC428

SHA256 - D20D0F5AA5E4AECC2D8E344B2A88E65AA799598C89CF19229C82E27C4E961D83

The Fast Startup assessment may not automatically reboot some systems using an ACPI Time and Alarm device after shutdown when the “use wake timers” option is selected in the assessment configuration. If this is blocking test automation, clear the option and retry.

Starting with Windows 10, version 1809, Windows Preinstallation Environment (PE) is released separately from the Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK). To add Windows PE to your ADK installation, download the Windows PE Addon and run the included installer after installing the ADK. This change enables post-RTM updates to tools in the ADK. After running the installer for the WinPE add-on, the WinPE files will be in the same location as they were in previous installs of the ADK.

See Download and install the Windows ADK and ADK tools to get the ADK and WinPE add-on.

With the latest version of Windows Performance Recorder (WPR), WPR Profiles (WPRP) with Custom Events in TraceMergeProperties now work as intended. Due to this change, if a custom WPRP contains an TraceMergeProperties XML element with an empty set of Custom Events, this will no longer include the default set of Custom Events (ImageIDs, WinSat, etc). To keep the same behavior with previous versions, make sure to include the following attribute as part of the TraceMergeProperties element: Base=”TraceMerge_Default”

With the latest version of Windows Performance Analyzer (WPA), .NET 4.5.2 framework is required for certain components when running on Windows 8 installations. To ensure proper use of WPA, download the latest

version of .NET.

RDX 3.0 is available in Windows 10, version 1809, and will be automatically updated on Windows 10, version

1803 for connected devices. Updates include a new webpage-style layout, a new API to allow you to manage your own assets, and a digital fact tag that can be updated locally from the sales floor.

For an overview of Unattend settings that are new, deprecated, and removed, see Changed answer file settings

for Windows 10, version 1809 for desktop editions.

To learn more, see Unattended Windows Setup Reference.

What's new in the Windows ADK for Windows 10, version 1803

PowerViewPowerView

New in Windows Assessment ToolkitNew in Windows Assessment Toolkit

Answer file setting changes for Windows 10, version 1803Answer file setting changes for Windows 10, version 1803

MDM: Enhanced device and PC managementMDM: Enhanced device and PC management

More changesMore changes

What’s new in the Windows ADK for Windows 10, version 1709

Support for A RM64 platformsSupport for A RM64 platforms

Answer file setting changes for Windows 10, version 1709Answer file setting changes for Windows 10, version 1709

MDM: Enhanced device and PC management for Windows 10, version 1709MDM: Enhanced device and PC management for Windows 10, version 1709

More changes for Windows 10, version 1709More changes for Windows 10, version 1709

TIPTIP

Learn about the ADK tools

PowerView is a new tool used to visualize data from Energy Estimation Engine logs produced by powercfg

/srumutil, and Windows Assessment Toolkit battery life tests.

Standby (S3) and Hibernate (S4) battery life workloads

Productivity Workload (prerequisite: install Microsoft Office 2016 before executing the test)

Modern Standby Performance

See Windows Assessment Toolkit for guidance.

For an overview of Unattend settings that are new, deprecated, and removed, see Changed answer file settings

for Windows 10, version 1803 for desktop editions.

To learn more, see Unattended Windows Setup Reference.

Check out the new CSPs settings.

See Mobile Device Management for more information.

See What's new in Windows 10 for the latest features and changes in design, customization, manufacturing, and drivers.

For an overview of Unattend settings that are new, deprecated, and removed, see Changed answer file settings

for Windows 10 version 1709 for desktop editions.

To learn more about Unattend settings, see the Unattended Windows Setup Reference.

Check out the new CSPs settings.

See Mobile Device Management for more information.

See What's new in Windows 10 for the latest features and changes in design, customization, manufacturing, and drivers.

Watch our video on ADK, HLK, HDK and EWDK updates for the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update to learn more.

The topics below provide instructions on using the tools included in the Windows 10 ADK:

Windows Configuration Designer

TIPTIP

What’s new in the Windows ADK for Windows 10, version 1703

Windows Configuration DesignerWindows Configuration Designer

New answer file settings addedNew answer file settings added

MDM: Enhanced device and PC management for Windows 10, version 1703MDM: Enhanced device and PC management for Windows 10, version 1703

What’s new in the Windows ADK for Windows 10, version 1607

Pick and choose desktop applicationsPick and choose desktop applications

Build IoT Core images for large-scale deploymentBuild IoT Core images for large-scale deployment

The Chinese (Hong Kong SAR) language pack (zh-HK) is no longer usedThe Chinese (Hong Kong SAR) language pack (zh-HK) is no longer used

You can limit access to a single Windows app (assigned access

)

You can limit access to a single Windows app (assigned access

)

New answer file settings added for Windows 10, version 1607New answer file settings added for Windows 10, version 1607

Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE)

Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM)

Windows System Image Manager (WSIM)

Windows Assessment Toolkit

Windows Performance Toolkit

User State Migration Toolkit (USMT)

Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT)

User Experience Vir tualization (UE-V)

Application Virtualization (App-V)

You can find ADK tools located in the following directory:

C:\Program Fil es (x86)\Windows K its\10\Assessment and Deployment Kit

Previously known as Windows Imaging and Configuration Designer (ICD), the tool for creating provisioning packages is renamed Windows Configuration Designer. Windows Configuration Designer in Windows 10, version 1703, includes several new wizards to make it easier to create provisioning packages.

To see the newest unattend settings, go to Changed answer file settings for Windows 10 version 1703 for

desktop editions.

Check out the new CSPs settings.

With siloed provisioning packages, you can now pick and choose which desktop applications to add to your images during deployment. You no longer need to recapture the entire set of applications into your recovery image, they’re added in automatically. These packages support space-saving features like Compact OS and single-instancing.

Capture your apps, drivers, and settings, and deploy them securely to new devices. Learn how with the IoT Core

manufacturing guides.

The Chinese (Taiwan) language pack (zh-TW) supports both Taiwan and Hong Kong locales. For more information, see Available Language Packs for Windows.

Configure Assigned Access

Add more tiles to the Start Menu: SquareOrDesktopTile7 through SquareOrDesktopTile12

Add an advanced pen settings app

MDM: Enhanced device and PC management for Windows 10, version 1607MDM: Enhanced device and PC management for Windows 10, version 1607

What’s new in the Windows ADK for Windows 10, version 1511

Windows Imaging and Configuration Designer (ICD

)

Windows Imaging and Configuration Designer (ICD

)

Push-button reset incorporates system updates by defaultPush-button reset incorporates system updates by default

Partial language packs now availablePartial language packs now available

New package type: CapabilitiesNew package type: Capabilities

Save space by running Windows from compressed OS filesSave space by running Windows from compressed OS files

What's new in Windows 11

3/30/2022 • 2 minutes to read

New in manufacturing

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Factory OS Factory OS is a lightweight OS image based on Windows

configured to support early hardware and factory line bringup. It boots to a minimal Factory OS Shell by default to support early hardware bring-up, device manufacturing and drivers/apps development. It can also be configured to boot to a Command Line interface to increase reliability on the factory line.

Languages overview Languages

Features on Demand The Features on Demand ISO has been replaced with the

Languages and Optional Features ISO. This ISO includes FOD packages and languages packs.

Manage inbox network drivers Inbox PCI ethernet and WiFi drivers are now Features on

Demand. You can easily remove these network driver FODs to reduce your disk footprint.

Using deployment tools with Windows 11 images When using deployment tools to work Windows 11 images,

the Name you expect to use with images might be different than you expect. This topic contains an overview of the issue as well as some workarounds.

Windows Setup Command Line Options New /EULA command line options lets you accept the

EULA when you launch setup.exe

New customization options

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Customize the Start menu Windows 11 has a new way to configure the apps that are

pinned to the Start menu.

Welcome to Windows 11! Here are some resources to get you acquainted with the new features and changes introduced for Windows 11.

More easily add and manage languages and Features on demand with the new Languages and Optional Features ISO. This ISO combines the previously separate Features on demand and language packs ISOs, and can be used as a FOD and Language pack repository.

Only LIP languages distributed as .cabs can be used in manufacturing. 5 LIP languages are now available as .cabs.

Configure the Taskbar Updated Taskbar topic to reflect changes to the Taskbar.

Desktop background and themes Gives guidance on how to create a custom wallpaper that is

optimized for the Windows 11 experience.

Unattend settings You can now use Unattend to disable the startup sound.

Customize OOBE Updated docs include new OOBE screen flow, information

about the new quiet period, the new <ShowPho neNumber> element for oobe.xml, and updated design guidance for

creating a EULA.

Settings for better tablet experiences Covers how to enable optimized experiences when tablets

and 2-in-1 devices are in tablet posture.

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New in design

TOP ICTOPIC DES C RIPT IONDES C RIPT ION

Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity enablement New installations on compatible systems have memory

integrity turned on by default, though device manufacturers and end users have the ultimate control of whether the feature is enabled.

Docking and multi-monitor experiences Covers the improved experience for users who work with

multiple apps at a time. Provides an overview of docking/redocking, snap groups, and guidance for docking stations.

Microsoft Windows SDK User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Get started

Download and install the Windows ADK

Kits and tools overview

What's new in Windows 11