How Deployment Image Servicing and Management Works
3/21/2011
Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) is a command-line tool for servicing Windows Embedded Standard 7 images.
Several platform technologies operate within the DISM framework and add functionality to it through the use of servicing command-line options. The servicing command-line options are typically associated with updating or configuring an offline Standard 7 image, and in some cases an online image (or running operating system). The functionality provided by the servicing command-line options is tied to DISM command-line options with a standard syntax model and a common logging engine used by DISM and all platform technologies. For more information, see Deployment Image Servicing and Management Command-Line Options.
The DISM command-line options are global and can be used with most servicing command-line options. The servicing command-line options work individually and cannot be used in combination with other servicing command-line options because only one platform technology can be called at a time. A Standard 7 image is made available by mounting the image, or by specifying an online image. When an action is specified by a servicing command-line option, the action is completed by the appropriate platform technology against the target image.
The following table describes the purpose of various platform technologies that operate within the DISM framework.
| Purpose | Technology |
|---|---|
To add, remove, or enumerate driver .inf files |
Device Management and Installation (DMI) |
To add, remove, or enumerate packages that are .cab or .msu files |
CAB files use Component Based Servicing (CBS) techology; the .msu file name extension is associated with the Windows Update Stand-Alone Installer technology |
To apply settings in an unattended answer file |
Settings Management Infrastructure (SMI) Device Management and Installation (DMI) Component Based Servicing (CBS) |
To modify Windows image .wim files |
Windows Image (WIM) file format |
To create and modify Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) images |
PEimg techology (a deprecated command-line tool) |
To change the language, locale, fonts, and input settings in a Windows image |
Intlcfg technology (a deprecated Windows Vista command-line tool) |
To check the applicability of an application update |
Microsoft Windows Installer Windows Anytime Upgrade |
See Also
Concepts
What Is Deployment Image Servicing and Management?
Deployment Image Servicing and Management Command-Line Options
Other Resources
Deployment Image Servicing and Management Technical Reference