automatic driver installation during Windows 10 installation

Armen Khachikyan 1 Reputation point
2021-02-25T14:48:18.007+00:00

Hey guys, my name is Armen and I am working In an IT company with no more than 100 members.
I have created a Windows 10 installation iso file using SIM(system image manager) and Sysprep, DISM. With that iso I automated drive partition creating, interface language, etc.
And I got an issue with the automating drivers installation part.
We have laptops with different models, Is there any method to do that?
I think I need to add all drivers in the windows installer and force the windows installer to choose the right one for hardware(display, GPU, sound, etc) or any other solution. I researched the solution and found that with DISM I can add drivers in install.wim file, but I have different hardware, will the windows installer choose the right driver?

Windows 10 Setup
Windows 10 Setup
Windows 10: A Microsoft operating system that runs on personal computers and tablets.Setup: The procedures involved in preparing a software program or application to operate within a computer or mobile device.
1,898 questions
0 comments

2 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Teemo Tang 11,331 Reputation points
    2021-02-26T07:28:24.03+00:00

    You idea is correct, but reality is that different hardware configurations use different drivers, dism command can add drivers into install.wim but we don’t know which driver will be installed during Windows setup, this process cannot be set and intervened.
    In my opinion, we should just add the most universal drivers into wim, even only add general network adapter drivers is enough, other drivers let Windows update to install.
    About your idea: add all drivers in the windows installer is always used for same type of machines’ deployment. If we install the wrong drivers for devices, there is a possibility that computer boot failure or crash.

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If the Answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it.
    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

  2. Sean Liming 4,506 Reputation points
    2021-02-26T07:40:07.833+00:00

    If you are using SIM, I recommend create a distribution share, and putting the drivers in the out-of-box drivers folder. When working with multiple boards, I group the drivers in subfolders based on board of computer model. Just add the root driver group folders to the answer file Pass 2 offline services and create the configuration set.

    Since device drivers can conflict with each other if you want to build a one size image fits all, this separation can help diagnose conflicts if they arise. It also gives you teh option to pick and chose the driver sets to go into the image. Injecting the drivers into the install.wim is not recommended as you can loose track of what is in the install.wim.

    I have a paper that covers the steps: Windows 10 IoT Enterprise: Image Development Workflow. it works the same for any version of Windows.