OSDCloud

What is OSDCloud ?

OSDCloud is a solution for deploying Windows 10/11 x64 over the internet using the OSD PowerShell Module. This works by booting to WinPE where the OSDisk is wiped and partitioned. Once this is complete, the Windows Operating System is downloaded from Microsoft Update (using CuRL), before finally being staged (expanded) on the OSDisk. Driver Packs from Dell, Lenovo, and HP are downloaded directly from each of the manufacturers where they are installed in WinPE or in the Windows Specialize Phase. For computers that do not have a Driver Pack, hardware drivers are downloaded from Microsoft Update, so this should work on just about any computer model out there.

https://www.osdcloud.com/

I’ve been working in IT for some time now and I’ve seen many technicien install OS from different way.

  • USB/DVD Bootable Media:
    A straightforward method for installing an OS using a bootable USB drive. The ISO file is written to the USB, which is booted by the target machine, making this ideal for individual installations or systems without network deployment options.
  • MDT (Microsoft Deployment Toolkit):
    A free tool from Microsoft for automating the deployment of Windows operating systems and applications. Best suited for small to medium environments, it allows you to create deployment shares and task sequences to simplify OS installations.
  • SCCM (System Center Configuration Manager):
    A comprehensive enterprise-level solution for deploying operating systems, applications, and updates to multiple devices. SCCM supports PXE boot, task sequences, and large-scale management, making it suitable for IT professionals in corporate environments.
  • Intune (Microsoft Endpoint Manager):
    A cloud-based service for deploying and managing Windows operating systems remotely. Intune integrates with Windows Autopilot, allowing for a seamless out-of-the-box experience for new devices, particularly in remote or hybrid work setups.

While SCCM and Intune are powerful tools, they tend to be more costly and require additional management overhead. On the other hand, MDT, in its current form, struggles with full compatibility for Windows 11, and its long-term future remains uncertain.

As a result, when deploying operating systems for users, the options can be limited and often rely on bootable media for installation.

In this context, OSDCloud offers an alternative solution, providing a modern and flexible approach to operating system deployment.

Deploying an Operating System onto a Completely Clean Computer

Why would you want to do this in the first place? My computer already comes with one!

My answer to this is the following:

Clean OS installation

  • Devices shipped from OEMs often come with unnecessary “bloatware” that organizations want to remove.
  • Organizations may want to perform customizations, add applications, and make other adjustments to simplify configurations or speed up the deployment process.
  • Organizations might also want to change the Windows edition, SKU, or version that comes pre-installed on the device.

Break/fix

  • Drive failure or corruption can occur and break your OS. In many cases, it’s faster to replace the drive, reinstall the OS, and restore files and configurations.
  • Start from scratch: When the process of installing an OS is quick, why spend long hours troubleshooting when you can simply do a fresh and fast installation?

Cyberattack/malware/disaster recovery

  • When any of these events occur, you need a quick way to provide your users with a fresh computer to continue working.
  • Malware can, and often does, hide in many places.

I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure.

  • Source: Aliens (1986)

Why OSDCloud ?

For me, OSDCloud is the best solution for effectively and easily wiping and installing a Windows OS in the shortest amount of time, with minimal management required.

With OSDCloud, the operating system is downloaded directly from Microsoft and staged on the OS disk. Driver packs from Dell, Lenovo, and HP are also downloaded directly from their respective manufacturers and installed. For devices without specific driver packs, hardware drivers are retrieved automatically from Microsoft Update.

In the end, OSDCloud is an incredible tool that allows you to quickly prepare devices in various scenarios where such functionality is needed.

Even if you are using Intune or SCCM, OSDCloud can serve as a valuable backup solution in many situations.

For example, in the event of a ransomware attack, even if Intune or SCCM were in place, this type of scenario would require fully wiping affected devices. Since Intune cannot install an OS from scratch and SCCM might be compromised during such an attack, OSDCloud would prove invaluable in providing a clean and efficient way to restore systems.

TLDR

In today’s IT landscape, having a reliable and flexible solution like OSDCloud is essential. Its ability to simplify OS deployments, retrieve drivers automatically, and work independently of traditional management tools makes it an indispensable option for modern IT environments. Whether as a primary tool or a backup in critical situations, OSDCloud ensures you can restore and prepare devices quickly and effectively with minimal effort.