© 2024 SkillPoint IT. All rights reserved.
Module 13: Deploying Windows Professional Using RIS (Remote Installation Services)
Remote Installation Services (RIS) is a Windows Server feature that enables administrators to remotely deploy Windows Professional operating systems to client computers over the network using PXE boot.
Overview of RIS
Requirements for RIS Setup
Windows Server 2003 (RIS is deprecated in newer versions)
NTFS partition on the server
DHCP and DNS configured
Client systems with PXE-enabled NICs
Windows Professional installation media
Installing and Configuring RIS
- Installing and Starting RIS
- Folder location for images and supporting files
- Initial client support settings
- Location of source files
- Initial image folder name
- Friendly description and Help text
- Create a RIS folder structure
- Copy supporting RIS files to the server
- Create a CD-based image of Windows 2018
- Start the services required for RIS
Install RIS on Windows Server
Go to Control Panel → Add/Remove Programs → Windows Components
Select Remote Installation Services
Click Next to complete installation
📝 Note: RIS installs the service and sets up the initial configuration wizard.
- Configuring RIS Security Settings
Configure RIS for First Use
Run the RIS setup tool:
Powershell
risetup
Choose a location to store the OS images (must be NTFS)
Provide Windows installation CD when prompted
Configure network settings, licensing, and PXE response policy
4. Authorize RIS in DHCP
Open DHCP console
Authorize the RIS server in Active Directory:
Powershell
netsh dhcp add server
Start and Configure RIS Service
Open Administrative Tools → Remote Installation Services
Configure options:
Automatic or manual OS installation
User permissions
Client naming conventions
6. Boot a Client and Deploy OS
On the client system, enable PXE boot in BIOS
Boot client — press F12 to start network service boot
RIS server will respond and begin installation
Follow the guided setup to deploy Windows Professional
How to Configure Remote Installation Options in RIS on Windows Server
Configuring Remote Installation Options in RIS lets administrators customize how client computers receive Windows OS installations, including automated setup, naming conventions, and user interaction levels.
Step-by-Step Guide: Configuring Remote Installation Options
Access the RIS Management Console
Go to:
Start → Administrative Tools → Remote Installation Services Setup
or run:
Powershell
risetup
After initial setup, open the Remote Install tab under the server’s properties in Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC).
Set Client Installation Options
From the RIS Server Properties, choose how client installations will proceed:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| ✅ Automatic Setup | Installs Windows without user interaction (fully unattended) |
| 🧑💻 Custom Setup | User selects OS image and answers setup questions |
| 🖥️ Restart Setup | Re-runs setup if client installation is interrupted or fails |
| 🔐 Require Administrator Approval | Ensures only authorized devices receive the installation |
Powershell
I am a description. Click the edit button to change this text.
Configure Naming Format for Deployed Clients
Under the Advanced Settings tab:
Use predefined naming schemes for deployed clients:
Powershell
CLIENT-%Username%
PC-%MACAddress%
This helps in tracking and managing systems after deployment.
Assign Group Policies (Optional)
Configure post-deployment policies:
Use Group Policy to push:
Software
Scripts
Security policies
Apply them to the OU where RIS-deployed systems are added.
Manage Available Installation Images
To manage or add OS images:
Re-run
risetupto add a new Windows imageStore in:
Powershell
\RemoteInstall\Setup\Language\Images\
- Configuring Client Computer Names and Locations
- Prestaging Client Computers
- Configuring Client Installation Options
- Allow: Option Will Be Available to Users
- Don’t care: Setting Will Be Inherited from Parent Site, Domain, or OU
- Deny: Option Will Not Be Available to Users
- Configuring Maintenance and Troubleshooting Utilities
- Diagnose Hardware Problems
- Upgrade BIOS
How to Deploy Windows OS Images Using RIS (Remote Installation Services)
Deploying images using RIS allows administrators to install Windows operating systems remotely on client computers through PXE boot by using preconfigured OS images stored on a Windows Server.
Prepare the RIS Server
Ensure RIS is installed and configured:
Install RIS via
Add Windows ComponentsRun
risetupto initialize setupChoose an NTFS volume to store images
Insert Windows installation media to copy image files
📁 Default image path:
plaintext
C:\RemoteInstall\Setup\English\Images\WinXPPro\
Authorize RIS Server in Active Directory
Ensure RIS is authorized in DHCP:
plaintext
netsh dhcp add server
Also ensure the server is joined to the domain and has permissions to create computer accounts.
Customize and Manage Images
Create multiple OS images for different departments (e.g., Sales, HR)
Use unattend.txt files for silent installations
Store them in separate folders inside
RemoteInstall\Images\
You can generate these using Setup Manager or manually edit them.
Boot Client via PXE and Deploy
Enable PXE boot in BIOS of the client PC
Connect client to LAN
Power on and press F12 during PXE prompt
RIS server responds and displays available images
User selects image and installation begins
Optional: Use pre-staged clients in AD for controlled deployment.
Monitor Deployment Progress
RIS will copy files from server to the client
No CD/DVD required
Review logs and progress via the RIS console or event viewer
- Modifying the Installation of a CD-Based Image
- Associating an Answer File with an Image
- Restricting Images
- Creating a RIS Startup Disk
- Installing an Image on a RIS Client Computer
Creating an RIPrep Image (Remote Installation Preparation) in Windows Server
RIPrep (Remote Installation Preparation) is a tool used with RIS to capture a pre-configured Windows installation from a client computer and convert it into a deployable image for other systems across the network.
Set Up the Source Client Computer
Prepare a reference computer with:
Windows XP/2000 Professional installed from a CD-based image (not another RIPrep)
All required:
Drivers
Applications
Updates
Configurations (e.g., user profiles, desktop setup)
🔄 Avoid domain-joining the system before imaging.
Install RIS on the Server (if not already installed)
Make sure:
The RIS server is fully configured using
risetupA CD-based image is present (required before any RIPrep image can be added)
Run the RIPrep Tool on the Source Client
On the reference (source) computer:
Press
Win + R, then type:
Bash
\\\REMINST\Admin\i386\riprep.exe
The Remote Installation Preparation Wizard launches
Follow the prompts:
Choose the RIS server where image will be stored
Enter a friendly image name and description
Select what to include in the image (user profiles, system settings)
Wait for Image Creation and Upload
RIPrep will:
Sysprep the system (removes SID and prepares for duplication)
Capture the image
Upload the image to the RIS server under:
SQL
\RemoteInstall\Setup\Language\Images\ImageName\
After upload, the client PC will reboot or shut down
Deploy the RIPrep Image via PXE Boot
From any PXE-enabled client:
Boot from LAN → Press F12
Connect to RIS server
Select the newly created RIPrep image
Complete installation with minimal input (depending on setup)
- Modifying the Default User Profile
- Creating an Image by Using the Remote Installation Preparation Wizard
- Removes All SIDs and Unique Registry Settings
- Creates the Image on a RIS Server
CD-Based vs. RIPrep Images in RIS: What’s the Difference and When to Use Each
In Remote Installation Services (RIS), a CD-based image is created directly from the Windows installation media, while a RIPrep image is captured from a configured reference computer. Each has distinct use cases and requirements for network OS deployment.
Quick Comparison Table:
| Feature | CD-Based Image | RIPrep Image |
|---|---|---|
| 📀 Source | Windows installation CD | Pre-configured client system |
| 🛠 Setup Required | Basic, uncustomized | Fully configured and customized |
| 💼 Use Case | Clean OS installs | Clone setup with apps and drivers |
| 🧪 Automation Level | Supports unattended setup (via unattend.txt) | Can be semi or fully automated |
| ⚠ Hardware Specific | Hardware-independent | May require similar hardware |
| 🧬 Includes Applications | No | Yes (apps installed on source PC) |
| 📤 Image Creation Tool | risetup | riprep.exe |
| 🧩 Driver Support | Default drivers only | All drivers installed on reference system |
| 💻 Ideal For | Standard OS builds with post-install config | Rapid deployment with ready-to-go environment |
When to Use Each:
Use CD-Based Images When:
You want to install a clean, standardized OS
All configurations will be applied after deployment
You need to support multiple hardware types
Your network policies or security require a fresh OS
Use RIPrep Images When:
You need to deploy fully configured systems
Applications and settings should be pre-installed
Hardware across devices is similar or identical
You want to save post-installation time
Identifying Solutions to RIS Problems
Client Computers Do Not Get Past the BootP Message
Client Computers Do Not Get Past the DHCP Message
Client Computers Do Not Get Past the BINL Message
Computer Cannot Connect by Using a RIS Boot Disk
You Press F12, but the Computer Cannot Connect to the Server
Expected Installation Options Are Not Available to a User
Lab A: Deploying Windows 2018 Professional by Using Remote Installation Services
Add comment