🧰 Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) + WinPE Add-on

Category: Microsoft Official Tools

Author: jmarket (PCHF Founder)

Verified by: PCHF Staff • October 2025

Overview

The Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) provides a comprehensive set of tools used by IT professionals and system integrators to deploy, assess, and customize Windows images.
It includes key components such as Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM), Windows System Image Manager (Windows SIM), and the Windows Performance Toolkit (WPT).

The companion WinPE Add-on delivers the Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE) — a lightweight, bootable environment used to capture, deploy, and repair Windows installations offline.
Together, these toolsets form the foundation for modern Windows deployment pipelines and imaging workflows in both enterprise and lab environments.

Key Features

• Deployment Tools: DISM, USMT, and Windows SIM for building and maintaining deployment images.


• Performance Analysis: Includes the Windows Performance Recorder and Analyzer for system diagnostics.


• Preinstallation Environment (WinPE): Create and customize bootable environments for offline deployment and recovery.


• Automation Support: Compatible with MDT (Microsoft Deployment Toolkit) and Configuration Manager.


• Offline Servicing: Add drivers, updates, or language packs to images without booting the OS.

System Requirements

• Operating System: Windows 10 or Windows 11 (version 21H2 or newer)


• Architecture: x64 or ARM64


• Administrator privileges for installation


• Internet connection for feature downloads

Installation

1. Download the ADK installer from Microsoft Learn:
   
   https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/get-started/adk-install


2. Run the ADK setup and select the required features (Deployment Tools, Windows Performance Toolkit, etc.).


3. After installation, download and install the WinPE Add-on from the same Microsoft Learn page.


4. Launch the tools via the Start Menu under Windows Kits or through PowerShell.

Usage

1. Use DISM to mount, service, and capture Windows images.


2. Launch Windows System Image Manager (SIM) to create answer files (unattend.xml).


3. Build and boot into WinPE for image deployment, partitioning, or troubleshooting.

Example Commands

Create a bootable WinPE USB drive:

	
Code:
	
copype amd64 C:\WinPE_amd64
MakeWinPEMedia /UFD C:\WinPE_amd64 E:

Mount and customize an image with DISM:

	
Code:
	
dism /mount-image /imagefile:D:\install.wim /index:1 /mountdir:C:\Mount
dism /image:C:\Mount /add-driver /driver:C:\Drivers /recurse
dism /unmount-image /mountdir:C:\Mount /commit

Notes

• The WinPE Add-on must be installed separately from the main ADK package.


• Recommended for enterprise technicians and deployment engineers.


• Integrates seamlessly with MDT and other Microsoft imaging solutions.


• Fully compatible with Windows 11 25H2 and Windows Server 2025 environments.

Policy

Only official ADK and WinPE Add-on downloads from Microsoft are permitted.
Redistribution, modification, or repackaging of the binaries is prohibited.
PCHF links exclusively to verified Microsoft Learn pages to ensure integrity and authenticity.

Download

Official Microsoft ADK + WinPE Download Page

Technical Information

• Publisher: Microsoft Corporation


• Version: 25H2 (10.1.26100.1)


• Release Date: October 2025


• License: Freeware (Microsoft Official Utility)

Related Articles

• DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management Tool)


• Windows 11 ISO (Official Microsoft Download)


• SetupDiag (Windows Setup Failure Diagnostic Tool)


• Windows 11 Media Creation Tool (Official Microsoft Utility)

All content © 2025 PC Help Forum. The Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit and WinPE Add-on are developed and maintained by Microsoft Corporation.
All binaries are distributed exclusively through Microsoft’s servers. Redistribution or modification is not permitted.