Microsoft Windows ADK is a collection of tools that you can combine to prepare, assess and launch image-based large-scale Windows deployments. These tools are also used to test the operating system’s quality and performance, as well as the applications running on it. The Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit was earlier known as the Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK). Windows ADK can be deployed on a broad range of devices, such as desktops, notebooks, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, etc. This toolkit works across platforms that work with devices with and without screens. Windows ADK was first introduced in Windows Vista and since then has always been available in the latest Windows operating system versions. The tools currently available in Windows ADK have varied through the years, but currently, they include the following:
Windows System Image ManagerWindows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE)Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool (DISM)
The key advantage of using Windows ADK for IT teams is to apply different tools to test software, drivers, and hardware compatibility before finally moving to Windows 11 or 10. The Application Compatibility Toolkit, for instance, lets developers and IT test how 32- and 64-bit Windows applications work on a new operating system before the final installation. IT can also use Windows ADK to automate large-scale deployments of Windows.
Download Windows 10 and 11 ADK Versions
On a high level, Windows ADK has two different formats, which have their own versions. One format is reserved for Windows Insider Preview users. The other format is available publicly and can be downloaded via the Windows ADK page on Microsoft’s website. The variant available publicly is usually around 2 MB in size and comes in different versions, where each new release of Windows ADK involves new features and product enhancements. If you want to know about the version history, take a look at the list below:Windows ADK VersionsDownload LinksWindows ADK for Windows 11 22H2Download ADKDownload WinPE AddonWindows ADK for Windows 11 21H2Download ADKDownload WinPE AddonWindows ADK for Windows 10 version 22H2Download ADKDownload WinPE AddonWindows ADK for Windows 10 version 21H2Download ADKDownload WinPE AddonWindows ADK for Windows 10 version 21H1Download ADKDownload WinPE AddonWindows ADK for Windows 10 version 20H2Download ADKDownload WinPC AddonWindows ADK for Windows 10 version 2004Download ADKDownload WinPE AddonWindows ADK for Windows 10 version 1909Download ADKDownload WinPE AddonWindows ADK for Windows 10 version 1903Download ADKDownload WinPE AddonWindows ADK for Windows 10 version 1809Download ADKDownload WinPE AddonWindows ADK for Windows 10 version 1803Download ADKWindows ADK for Windows 10 version 1709Download ADKWindows ADK for Windows 10 version 1703Download ADKWindows ADK for Windows 10 version 1607Download ADKWindows ADK for Windows Insider PreviewDownload ADKWindows ADK download links for all Windows versions Since Windows ADK is a set of tools, not a standalone application. It contains the following tools:
Windows Assessment Toolkit and Windows Performance Toolkit: these tools are used to assess the quality and performance of systems or components.WinPE, Sysprep (or System Preparation), and other tools: these are the deployment tools that you can use to customize and deploy Windows 10 images.
The Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE) comes as a separate download from the Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK), prior to Windows 10, version 1809. To add Windows PE to your ADK installation, you need to download and install the Windows PE add-on after installing the ADK. When it comes to features, Windows 10 ADK allows you to select specific features at the time of installation. You can pick and choose the exact features you want to include in the toolkit. The options include:
Application Compatibility ToolsDeployment ToolsWindows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE)Imaging and Configuration Designer (ICD)Configuration DesignerUser State Migration Tool (USMT)Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT)Windows Performance ToolkitWindows Assessment ToolkitMicrosoft User Experience Virtualization (UE-V)Application Virtualization Sequencer (App-V)Microsoft Application Virtualization Auto Sequencer (App-V)Media experience Analyzer
In general, these features let you perform the following functions:
Add product branding, applications, along with settingsKeep Windows up to date with the latest updates, language packs, and driversLook for and identify application compatibilityPerform user data migration between Windows installationsManage bulk activation of Windows
Since you can only install one version of Windows ADK at a time, you will need to uninstall any existing ADK installation before installing the new one. Otherwise, you will need to install the new ADK using the command line for multiple ADK versions working on the same computer. This will start the download process.Downloading ADK features After the download process is complete, you can select the tools you want to install and continue with the installation. Windows ADK has different features that you can install. The default selections are Deployment Tools, Imaging and Configuration Designer (ICD), Configuration Designer, User State Migration Tool (USMT), Windows Performance Toolkit, and Microsoft User Experience Virtualization (UE-V) Template.
2. Download and Install WinPE Add-on
As discussed earlier in the article, starting with Windows 10 ADK version 1809, WinPE is no longer part of the ADK tool. If you wish to get WinPE, follow these steps to download and install the add-on: Note – The minimum estimated disk space required is 6.0 GB for the WinPE add-on. Hence, it may take longer for the installation to finish. The package includes Windows PE(x86), Windows PE (AMD64), Windows PE (ARM), and Windows PE (ARM64). To validate the Windows 10 ADK Installation in a specific device, follow these steps: Navigate to Control Panel > Program and Features. Here you can see the Windows ADK, Windows Preinstallation Environment Add-ons installed successfully. In order to deploy Windows 10 on a large scale, you need a Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit. This article covers the basics of the Windows ADK toolkit and how to install ADK for Windows 10. You can also use this tool and its add-on in conjunction with Windows Deployment Server to level up your automation and operations. Also see:
Ultimate Guide To Creating Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE)Download and Install Windows 11 Enterprise ISO & Virtual Machine (VHD, VMDK, VDI)Download Windows 11 22H2 Enterprise (2022 Update) ISO ImageDownload Windows Server ISO All Versions (2022, 2019, 2016, 2012 R2)Download Windows 10 22H2 Enterprise (2022 Update) ISO Image
