Notes from the Lab on Windows ADK for Windows 11 22H2

You probably noticed that Microsoft release a new version of Windows ADK for Windows 11 last month (May 2022), the 22H2 version. One major change in this version compared to the 21H2 version of the kit is that x86 boot images are no longer included. In this post you learn about what this means for ConfigMgr and MDT Lite Touch environments.

Update August 16, 2022: ConfigMgr 2111 and later versions now officially support Windows ADK for Windows 11 22H2.

Update October 5, 2022: There is now a fix available for the MDT Lite Touch script issue. Thank you, Daniel, for bringing that to my attention. See the official docs here for a workaround: https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/memdocs/blob/main/memdocs/configmgr/mdt/known-issues.md

Below is the new content inside the Windows Preinstallation Environment folder:

Windows ADK for Windows 11 22H2

What's new in Windows ADK for Windows 11 22H2

According to the official documentation covering the new features for the 22H2 version, Microsoft only mentions improvements for the Windows Performance Recorder (WPR) and Windows Performance Analyzer (WPA). The what's new information don't even mention the fact the x86 boot images are removed from WinPE, but there is a note about the on the Download and install the Windows ADK page.

When doing a file comparison between 21H2 and 22H2 I did notice there was a new optional component for WinPE: The winpe-hsp-driver.cab file. This seems to be support for the new Microsoft Pluton Processor. Below is a listing of the new files in 22H2 (when installing only the OSD components and WinPE):

.\assessment and deployment kit\imaging and configuration designer\x86\hwreqchk.dll
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows preinstallation environment\amd64\winpe_ocs\winpe-hsp-driver.cab
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\amd64\sources\background_cli.png
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\amd64\sources\hwreqchk.dll
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\amd64\sources\windlp.dll
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\amd64\sources\asz\arunimg.dll
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\amd64\sources\asz\arunres.dll
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\amd64\sources\asz\spwizres.dll
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\amd64\sources\replacementmanifests\fsdepends-replacement.man
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\amd64\sources\replacementmanifests\nchostagent-replacement.man
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\amd64\sources\replacementmanifests\systemsettings_handlers_cortana-replacement.man
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\amd64\sources\replacementmanifests\updateagent-replacement.man
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\amd64\sources\svr\arunres.dll
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\amd64\sources\svr\background_svr.png
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\amd64\sources\svr\spwizres.dll
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\arm64\sources\background_cli.png
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\arm64\sources\hwreqchk.dll
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\arm64\sources\windlp.dll
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\arm64\sources\asz\arunimg.dll
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\arm64\sources\asz\arunres.dll
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\arm64\sources\asz\spwizres.dll
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\arm64\sources\replacementmanifests\fsdepends-replacement.man
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\arm64\sources\replacementmanifests\systemsettings_handlers_cortana-replacement.man
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\arm64\sources\replacementmanifests\updateagent-replacement.man
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\arm64\sources\svr\arunres.dll
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\arm64\sources\svr\background_svr.png
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\arm64\sources\svr\spwizres.dll
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\x86\sources\background_cli.png
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\x86\sources\hwreqchk.dll
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\x86\sources\windlp.dll
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\x86\sources\asz\arunimg.dll
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\x86\sources\asz\arunres.dll
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\x86\sources\asz\spwizres.dll
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\x86\sources\replacementmanifests\fsdepends-replacement.man
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\x86\sources\replacementmanifests\systemsettings_handlers_cortana-replacement.man
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\x86\sources\replacementmanifests\updateagent-replacement.man
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\x86\sources\svr\arunres.dll
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\x86\sources\svr\background_svr.png
.\assessment and deployment kit\windows setup\x86\sources\svr\spwizres.dll

Note: Funny enough, Microsoft didn't even update the installer to reflect that x86 boot images (including the 32-bit ARM boot image) are no longer installed. See below screenshot.

The 22H2 ADK Installer, incorrectly showing the x86 and ARM boot images being installed.

ConfigMgr Support

First of all, ConfigMgr 2111 now supports the 22H2 version of Windows ADK for Windows 11. If you upgrade Windows ADK to this version in your ConfigMgr environment, ConfigMgr won't be able to reload or update the x86 boot image anymore. Not the end of the world if you don't need it, but still.

The official docs: Support for the Windows ADK in Configuration Manager.

Note: Upgrading to Windows ADK to 22H2 technically works for an existing ConfigMgr setup, even though it obviously won't be able to upgrade the x86 version of the boot image.

ConfigMgr console after upgrading to the new ADK and reloading the x64 boot image.
ConfigMgr console after new install of ConfigMgr 2203 on a server with the new ADK

MDT Lite Touch Support

Like ConfigMgr 2203, MDT Lite Touch does not have official support for the new ADK either. In fact, MDT, which has not been updated since 2020, don't even have official support for anything Windows 11, even though it happens to work just fine.

In my testing the x64 22H2 boot image does not seems to work with MDT Lite Touch, even if following the instructions later in this post to prevent the Deployment Workbench from crashing. When starting an MDT Lite Touch Deployment using Windows 11 ADK 22H2 the HTA-based wizard is not very happy.

Update: A fix for the script issue is now available, see the official docs here for a workaround: https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/memdocs/blob/main/memdocs/configmgr/mdt/known-issues.md

The MDT Lite Touch deployment wizard crashing in WinPE from ADK 22H2.

If you upgrade Windows ADK to 22H2 on your MDT server, the Deployment Workbench will crash once you click on the Windows PE tab in the deployment share properties. To prevent that from happening, simply copy in the x86 boot image structure from an earlier version of the ADK to the install folder.

x86 folder added to 22H2 install folder to prevent the Deployment Workbench from crashing.
Deployment Workbench crashing if x86 folder is not missing.
About the author

Johan Arwidmark

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Brett Brownderville
Brett Brownderville
3 months ago

Johan,

I just upgraded to MCM 2303. At this point in time, what version of ADK would you recommend? We are looking to start deploying Win. 11 soon.

Thanks,
Brett.

Donnie
Donnie
6 months ago

Hey Johan! Thank you for the Infor on MDT, i always check your page for solutions. I am currently stuck on upgrading MDT to Windows 11 22H2. I did everything that was highlighted as the main issues of MDT with Windows 11 22H2 but i am still having issues with loading WinPE into the Task sequence menu. In Dell Latitude 7480 it let me loads until clicking Run the Windows Deployment Wizard to install a new OS , after clicking it loads and error pops up saying "A connection to the deployment share could not be made. Connection ok. Possible… Read more »

Keith
Keith
7 months ago

Unfortunately the fix did not work for me, any other tips?

Daniel Barras
Daniel Barras
10 months ago

I think I've found a solution. When I installed the ADK for Windows 11 22H2 with the WinPE add-on for Windows 11 2004, I did not get the script errors in the task sequence. Hope this helps.

Loïc MARCEL HOSONO
Loïc MARCEL HOSONO
11 months ago

I have a stupid question but I'm wondering why I don't find any clue.

How about the Windows 11 ADK compatibility with Windows 10 deployment?
Context : MECM 2207 and no need for Windows PE x86 anymore.

There is the good old Windows 10 ADK 2004, but what is the best choice when deploying both Windows 10 and Windows 11 ?

Last edited 11 months ago by Loïc MARCEL HOSONO
Johnathan Milgie
Johnathan Milgie
6 months ago

I'm not sure if you've seen this but it appears they're now stating that MDT is not supported for Windows 11. Blue Banner – https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/mdt/known-issues

Daniel
Daniel
11 months ago

The javascript error can be fixed by editing the WinPE unattend xml and adding a synchronous command to update a registry value as seen here: https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/memdocs/blob/main/memdocs/configmgr/mdt/known-issues.md

Last edited 11 months ago by Daniel
Nick
Nick
1 year ago

Ok, I fixed it myself – uninstalled the ADK, installed an older one, created the x86 boot image and then reinstalled the Windows 11 ADK…

Nick
Nick
1 year ago

Hi Johan,
I was just wondering if you (or anyone else) has installed a new CM Server with the latest ADK.
As you note, in this case there is no X86 boot image – normally not such a problem since we don't really need it…
Except when setting up a PXE server – without the x86 boot image, PXE boot does not work.

Is there any known workaround?
tnx,
Nick

Joe
Joe
1 year ago

I can't fix the Windows PE tab crash on the latest kit version. I guess my copy of x86 from the Windows 10 version isn't old enough? I tried copying it over but no dice. Tried making empty x86 folder. Tried turning off x86 etc.

I see this error often on Google but no official Microsoft solution.

Feel I have no choice but to start all over from scratch again but I don't feel confident that anything will be different.

Joshua Szanto
Joshua Szanto
1 year ago

@Johan: did you know that Microsoft is deprecating use of boot.wim from WDS?
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/wds-boot-support

Mike Douglas
Mike Douglas
1 year ago

ADK 10.0.22621.1. still has the issue of the Dot3Svc not starting. It says
> net start dot3svc
The Wired Autoconfig Service could not be started.
More help is available by typing NET HELPMSG 3523.
> net helmpsg 3523
The *** service could not be started.
> netsh lan show interfaces
The following helper DLL cannot be loaded: DOT3CFG.DLL
The following command was not found: lan show interfaces.

Any fix for this yet?

mike douglas
mike douglas
1 year ago

Johan,
It's a bug. Here is what I had to do to get it working again.
802.1X is not working properly with Windows 11 ADK – OSCC

Tony
Tony
1 year ago

I'm still getting the script error when the deployment wizard loads. Anybody find a fix for this? I can ignore the error and continue as usual however…

Tony
Tony
1 year ago

I'll definitely stay away from W11ADK 22H2. Thanks!!

sphbecker
sphbecker
1 year ago

I ran into both of the above issues with MDT this week. I was drawn to 22H2 PE because the old 2004 PE build doesn't seem to support AMD's 6000 series USB4 controller…at least I was unable to get it working with any of HP's or AMD's provided chipset drivers. 22H2 works, but has the issues above. What I found is script error during the workflow can be ignored, it seems to only effect the workflow UI, fonts look odd, error messages can't be shown, but the workflow will complete if you close the error. The MMC error message can… Read more »

Daniel
Daniel
1 year ago
John Delise
John Delise
1 year ago

I found myself on vacation and going through my LinkedIn list and clicking on one of your posts as I am wont to do. But, like a bag of Jay's Potato chips, you can't eat just one. So I noticed the previous and next post buttons and proceeded to binge. I realized that not all articles were relevant to my interests (most were). It would have been nice to have the previous and next post buttons on the top so that I could skip back to past articles I may have missed and not have to scroll to the bottom… Read more »

FuxMak
FuxMak
1 year ago

Do you think there will be any future for MDT? Probably not….,right?

Mike Douglas
Mike Douglas
1 year ago
Reply to  FuxMak

I think eventually CM/AutoPilot (provisioning) will take its place.

avi kroparo
avi kroparo
1 year ago
Reply to  Mike Douglas

there is also a problem when importing windows 10 22h2 to deploymentshare
mdt recognize it as windows 10 unknown and there is an error when trying to create task sequence with this version of windows.


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