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Foundry overview

Foundry is a Windows deployment platform for building boot media and running guided Windows deployment workflows.

Start here

If your goal is to deploy devices, go straight to Download and Requirements and then Quick Start.

If you are contributing code or validating internal behavior, use the Developer and Deep Dives sections instead.

For most users, the docs should answer four things quickly:

  • where to download Foundry
  • what you need before you start
  • how to create a bootable image
  • how to personalize the workflow only when needed

The deeper architecture is still documented, but it is no longer the first thing you need to read.

What Foundry includes​

Foundry is built around three applications and one supporting data repository:

  • Foundry: the desktop app used on the admin workstation to build deployment media
  • Foundry.Connect: the WinPE network readiness app that runs first after boot
  • Foundry.Deploy: the WinPE deployment app that loads catalogs and executes deployment
  • catalog: the automation repository that generates OS, driver pack, and WinPE XML feeds

Start with the user path​

  1. Read Download and Requirements.
  2. Follow Quick Start.
  3. Use Standard Workflow for the normal day-to-day operator flow.
  4. Open Create Boot Media when you need more detail about ISO or USB output.
  5. Use the Personalize It section only if you need expert configuration.

When to use the deep dives​

Use the Deep Dives section when you need:

  • product boundaries
  • WinPE runtime details
  • catalog internals
  • developer and local testing workflows