Microsoft Windows SDK User Manual

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