Assessment and Deployment Kit for Windows Server Essentials

Applies To: Windows Server 2016 Essentials, Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials, Windows Server 2012 Essentials

The Windows Server® 2012 Essentials Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) is a collection of tools, binaries, and operating system language packs that you can use to customize, assess, and deploy Windows Server Essentials on new computers. This document includes information that is specific to partners who intend to preinstall the operating system for their customers and includes the following topics:

• Getting Started with the Windows Server Essentials ADK

  • Important Information for Using the Windows Server Essentials ADK

  • Hardware Requirements for the Target Computer

  • Preconfiguring a Router

  • Prepare the Technician Computer

  • Configure Server Storage

• Creating and Customizing the Image

  • Create a Simple Customized Image

  • Create a Bootable USB Flash Drive

  • Create an Image By Using Answer Files

  • Customize the Image

• Additional Customizations

  • Add Branding to the Dashboard, Remote Web Access, and Launchpad

  • Add a Tab to Settings

  • Add Top-Level Categories to the Launchpad (Macintosh Operating System)

  • Change Media Streaming Settings

  • Change the Color Scheme of the Dashboard and Launchpad

  • Change the Order and Grouping of Tabs

  • Install or Remove Language Packs

  • Manage Domain Names and Domain Name Providers

  • Customize Sign Up for Microsoft Online Backup Service task

  • Customize Storage Spaces

  • Build Multi-Language Client Restore Media

  • Automate Installation of Add-Ins During Setup

  • Add Microsoft Online Service Partner Agreement Partner-of-Record Information

  • Replace Microsoft 365 Integration Module Buy-Try Endpoint URL in Support of Microsoft Online Service Reseller Agreement

  • Create a Server Recovery DVD for Remotely Administered Servers

  • Create a Server Recovery DVD for Multi-Language Support

• Preparing the Image for Deployment

• Testing the Customer Experience

Copyright information

This document is provided as-is. Information and views expressed in this document, including URL and other Internet Web site references, may change without notice. Some examples depicted herein are provided for illustration only and are fictitious. No real association or connection is intended or should be inferred. This document does not provide you with any legal rights to any intellectual property in any Microsoft product. You may copy and use this document for your internal, reference purposes.

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