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Quick start

This is the fastest path from an empty workstation to a completed deployment.

What this page helps you do​

Use this page when you want the shortest route to your first successful deployment without reading the internal architecture first.

Stay in standard mode unless you need more control

Use expert mode only when you must predefine network, localization, Autopilot, or machine naming behavior.

1. Prepare the admin workstation​

  • Install the Windows ADK and WinPE add-on, or let Foundry install or upgrade them from the main window if the ADK banner is shown.
  • Download the latest Foundry release.
  • Make sure the workstation has internet access.

2. Launch Foundry​

Open Foundry on the workstation that will build the media.

If Foundry shows an ADK warning banner:

  • use Install ADK when no compatible ADK is present
  • use Upgrade ADK when the installed version is incompatible
  • wait until the ADK verification step finishes before continuing

In the main window you can choose:

  • ISO output path
  • USB target disk
  • Architecture
  • WinPE language
  • Included WinPE driver vendors
Suggested screenshot

Add a capture of the main Foundry window right after launch, with the standard output controls visible.

3. Decide between standard and expert mode​

Use standard mode when you just want to build media quickly.

Use expert mode when you need to define:

  • Wired 802.1X
  • Wi-Fi provisioning
  • Deployment language visibility and defaults
  • Autopilot profiles
  • Machine naming rules
Need the full configuration surface?

Open Expert Mode only after you know which extra controls you actually need.

4. Build the media​

Choose one of the two output paths:

OutputUse it when
Create ISOYou want a reusable artifact for VMs, remote media, or later USB writing
Create USBYou want Foundry to prepare the bootable device directly, including its cache partition

During this stage, Foundry prepares the WinPE image and stages the runtime assets for Foundry.Connect and Foundry.Deploy.

Suggested screenshot

Add a capture of the output section with both the ISO and USB actions visible.

What happens behind the scenes

Both output modes start from the same prepared WinPE workspace, but they finish differently:

  • ISO produces a single .iso artifact from the prepared workspace.
  • USB provisions and formats the target disk, copies the boot media, and initializes a persistent Foundry Cache partition for runtime, operating system, and driver-pack data.

5. Boot the target device​

Start the target device from the media you created.

The WinPE bootstrap then follows this sequence:

  1. Foundry.Connect
  2. Foundry.Deploy

6. Validate connectivity​

If your workflow requires network access, Foundry.Connect confirms that the target environment is ready before bootstrap continues.

This is where wired 802.1X or Wi-Fi provisioning matters.

7. Run deployment​

Inside Foundry.Deploy:

  • load the catalogs
  • choose the target disk
  • choose the operating system
  • review driver pack behavior
  • apply deployment options
  • start the deployment workflow
Suggested screenshot

Add a capture of the first Foundry.Deploy wizard page after catalogs and runtime context are loaded.