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OPK Features | System Requirements | OPK Downloads | Known Issues | Technical Documents |
OPK Videos and Labs | OEM Technical Guide | Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC |
Language Interface Packs
The Windows OEM Preinstallation Kit (Windows OPK) is a set of tools and documentation that support automated installation and customization of the following Windows operating systems:
- Windows 7
- Windows Vista with Service Pack 1*
- Windows Server 2008 R2
- Windows Server 2008
* A previous Windows OPK version is available but should only be used for certain scenarios involving Windows Vista with SP1 and Windows Server 2008. Get details.
To help you build your first automated installation quickly, the Windows OPK includes two Getting Started documents:
- Quick Start for System Builders .pdf 116 KB | .xps 259 KB
This guide is for system builders who are new to deployment. It provides step-by-step instructions for using the Windows OPK with a Windows 7 product DVD. After completing this process, you’ll have a Windows installation that meets the minimum legal requirements.
- Step-by-Step: Basic Windows Deployment for OEMs .pdf 195 KB | .xps 337 KB
This step-by-step guide shows you how to create a basic automated Windows installation. This guide is ideal for new users who want to learn the basics of Windows deployment.
You can access both of these documents from your desktop after installing the Windows OPK with these steps:
- Click Start, click All Programs, click Microsoft Windows OPK, and click Documentation.
- Then click Step-by-Step: Basic Windows Deployment for OEMs or click Quick Start for System Builders. Both documents are also located in the root directory of your Windows OPK DVD.
The manufacturing environment varies from company to company. Depending on your business needs, you can use all or part of the resources available in the OPK.
By default, the OPK is installed to the C:\Program Files\Windows OPK directory. This directory contains all of the tools and documentation included in this release. The following are the core tools used in most Windows deployment scenarios:
| Tool |
Description |
| Windows System Image Manager (Windows SIM) |
Used to open Windows images, create answer files, and manage distribution shares and configuration sets. |
| ImageX |
Used to capture, create, modify, and apply Windows images. |
| Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) |
Used to apply updates, drivers, and language packs to a Windows image. It is available in all installations of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. |
| Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) |
Minimal operating-system environment used to deploy Windows. The OPK includes several tools you can use to build and configure Windows PE. |
| Windows Setup |
Used to install Windows. It is included in the Windows product DVD and is not part of the OPK installation. |
System Preparation
(Sysprep) |
Used to prepare a Windows installation for imaging or delivery to a customer. Sysprep.exe is available in all Windows installations in the %WINDIR%\system32\sysprep directory. |
The following are new key features included in the OPK for Windows 7:
- DISM, used for servicing Windows images, replaces many of the tools in previous releases of the Windows OPK, including:
- Package Manager (Pkgmgr.exe).
- International Settings Configuration Tool (Intlcfg.exe).
- Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) command-line tool (PEimg.exe).
- The default disk-partition structure has changed from previous releases. In default Windows-installation scenarios, Windows Setup creates two hard-disk partitions:
- System partition that stores the boot manager and other related data.
- Operating-system partition that stores the Windows image.
For a complete list of new features, see “New Features in the Windows OPK” in the Windows OEM Preinstallation Kit (OPK) User’s Guide (OPK.chm).
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To install the Windows OPK, your computer must meet the following prerequisites:
- An x86-based or x64-based computer running the Windows 7, Windows Vista, or a Windows Server 2003 operating system. This is the computer that you install the Windows OPK on.
The following list shows some of the recommended hardware and software for automated installation environments:
- A USB flash drive (UFD)
- A CD or DVD burner
- Image-burning software. Windows 7 includes image-burning features.
- .NET Framework 2.0 or higher (provided with the Windows OPK tools during setup)
- Network access to download the latest updates and transfer data to computers in your environment
During the OPK download process, you will be required to accept an online license agreement. These license agreements are in English only.
View localized versions of the OEM software license.
- Windows OPK Readme .pdf 154 KB | .xps 293 KB
Contains the latest known issues and workarounds for this release. Updates to this readme are made regularly throughout the release.
- Critical Update: Sysprep and Windows Media Digital Rights Management (WMDRM) Workaround for Windows 7 .pdf 278 KB | .xps 372 KB
Describes a scenario that might prevent playback and transfer of Windows DRM-protected content after using Sysprep. This issue only affects Windows 7 installations where Sysprep ran against a computer and either the "Home" or "Work" network was configured during Windows Welcome. This document contains the instructions to help you verify if the issue exists and how to resolve it.
- Additional Allowances and Recommendations: An Addendum to the Windows OEM Preinstallation Kit .pdf 357 KB | .xps 316 KB
Summarizes the various allowances and recommendations that have been released by Microsoft up until now.
The Windows OPK documentation provides instructions on using the tools included in this kit to install, customize, and deploy the Windows 7 operating system. The October 2009 Update includes:
Download the October 2009 release of Windows OPK documentation. .zip 9.8 MB (English only)
The following downloads are standalone versions of the localized documentation that is available with the OPK. Localized versions of the October 2009 update to the OPK documentation will be available at a future date.
* No OPK is currently available in this language.
Training labs, demonstration videos, and video transcripts provide information about how to deploy Windows 7 by using the OPK, including:
- An introduction to the Windows OPK.
- Preparing your lab environment.
- Detailed deployment instructions.
- Video demonstrations.
See Windows 7 OPK videos and labs.
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The OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 compiles information and best practices that OEMs can use when designing and manufacturing computers optimized for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.
Each section contains links to the following:
- Prerelease and public documentation
- Presentations
- Tools that provide technical implementation details
The guide begins with information about the product as a whole. Subsequent sections are organized in the following manner:
- Hardware
- Information on non-Microsoft software and driver development
- OEM modifications to the user experience
- Manufacturing
- Complete list of features included in each Windows 7 edition and the upgrade matrix for both Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 (appendix)
Review the OEM Technical Guide. .pdf 1.0 MB | .xps 1.3 MB
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Client virtualization software, such as Virtual PC, lets you create separate virtual machines (VMs) on the Windows desktop, each of which functions as the hardware of a complete physical computer. You can use VMs to run different versions of Windows operating systems, as permitted within the Microsoft Software License Terms (formerly "EULA").
In addition to Windows Vista, you can deploy many versions of Windows 7 inside a VM on a computer running an edition of Windows 7 that supports Virtual PC or third party virtualization software.* Virtualization together with Windows XP Mode allows customers to run legacy applications in a tested software environment, instead of delaying the deployment of a new operating system because of application-compatibility concerns.
*Provided that both the virtual and the physical software are properly licensed.
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With additional language files installed on the Windows operating system, you can change the display language to view wizards, dialog boxes, menus, help topics, and other items in Windows in a different language.
Learn more about Windows 7 Language Interface Packs.
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