Free XP SP3 and Vista SP1 Deployment Toolkit Available for Download

Microsoft has made available for download a Solution Accelerator designed specifically to handle the deployment of the company's desktop and server software products including Windows XP Service Pack 3, Windows Vista Service Pack 1, the Office 2007 System, as well as Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2003 R2. Essentially, Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2008 Update 1 is offered as the next iteration of the original MDT 2008, which, in turn, represented the evolution of the Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) 2007 delivered in 2007.

"We are pleased to announce the release of our first update to Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2008 (MDT 2008). We have added two major features: OEM preload scenarios for Lite Touch Installation and Zero Touch Installation with System Center Configuration Manager 2007 and a new management pack for System Center Operations Manager 2007 SP1. Minor updates include bug fixes and design changes to override driver platforms as well as the ability to inject all drivers into Windows PE," stated Nick MacKechnie, Senior Technical Account Manager at Microsoft New Zealand.

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2008 Update 1 fits perfectly into the software giant's efforts of streamlining and automating the deployment of its flagship products, specifically the Windows Server and Client operating systems and the Office platform. What the resource is designed to deliver is a comprehensive toolset comprised of both process guidance and tools, centralizing them into a single Solution Accelerator aimed at IT Professionals.

In this context, customers will be able to access and leverage a collection of scenario-based guides and automations, unified into a single common deployment console via MDT 2008 Update 1. But, in the end, the actual role of the toolkit is to compensate for the price of Microsoft's proprietary software by reducing the Total Cost of Ownership. With standard server and desktop images, cut down installation time and service disruptions, and boosted configuration management, MDT 2008 Update 1 will help businesses save money on the long run. This is provided through the deployment flexibility introduced by the toolkit, including options such as Lite Touch Installation (LTI) or even Zero Touch Installation (ZTI).

"MDT 2008 Update 1 enables deployment of the following Microsoft products: Windows Vista Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate (32 and 64 bit) RTM and SP1; Office Professional, Professional Plus, Enterprise, and Ultimate 2007; Windows Server 2008; Windows Server 2003 R2 (32 and 64 bit); and Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2 and Service Pack 3 (32 and 64 bit) or Windows XP Tablet PC Edition," Microsoft added.

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2008 Update 1 is available for download here.