Save Time With Windows 7 OPK and The Windows Automated Installation Kit

Have you ever dreamed of installing a fresh copy of Windows on a client’s system that already includes the product key, timezone, regional settings, updated drivers, applications, and even your own branding? No need to enter anything during the installing, just set it and forget it. When you come back, the system is ready to go.

Installing or re-installing Windows, while not terribly difficult, can be time consuming. The Windows 7 installer has sped up the process a bit, but during any installation of Windows there are points when the install stops and ask the user/technician for input. This can be to set the timezone, keyboard settings, and language, to setting up the initial users. However, these screens pop up somewhere in the middle of the install and if you aren’t there to input the data, the install cannot continue. This means that the technician must either wait at the PC until the entire process is finished, or keep checking periodically to see if the install is asking for input. Either way is not very efficient for the technician since an install of Windows can take normally take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour.

This is where the Window OEM Pre-Installation Kit (OPK) comes in handy. Currently the Windows 7 OPK is available to help OEM’s quickly deploy Windows 7 installations. The kit allows a technician to customize and automate the installation process, basically creating an image with an answer file that allows an unattended installation.

You can use pre-installation kits for the following applications:

• Windows 7 with Service Pack 1
• Windows Vista with Service Pack 1
• Windows Server 2008 R2 with Service Pack 1
• Windows Server 2008
• Small Business Server (SBS) 2011
• Windows Server
• Microsoft Office
• Internet Explorer
• Microsoft Security Essentials
• Windows Live Essentials

The OPK is mainly designed for large deployment environments or system builders that need to install Windows quickly on many new machines. However, having this kit available is a major time saver for any tech that needs to install Windows frequently. Even a simple pre-loaded Windows image that you can install unattended will save you time in not having to wait for prompts and installing updates after the install.

The Contents of the Windows 7 OPK:

OPK Benefits

• Saves time and money because by automating installation and recovery.
• Lets you add your company branding to the operating system.
• Allows you to test pre-installed PCs without interrupting the pre-installation process.
• Supports all processes and scenarios, from the largest multinational Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to the smallest system builder.

For information, technical documents, instructional videos, and downloads check out the Microsoft OEM Pre-installation Kits Info Page.

The Windows Automated Installation Kit (Windows AIK)

The Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) is very similar to the OPK. The OPK is generally intended for system builders where the AIK is intended for corporate volume installs. The terms and licenses are also slightly different for each one, so be sure to read through and choose the kit that is more beneficial for your use.

AIK vs OPK Comparison

AIK Download

AIK Readme