Thin Client Template (Standard 8)

  • Article

7/8/2014

Review the description and functionality provided in the Thin Client Template in Windows Embedded 8 Standard (Standard 8).

This template includes the most common features required for thin client devices and is a starting point to create a customized template to meet the needs of your device.

This template provides functionality that allows the administrator, IT Pro or end user to do the following:

Connect remotely:

  • Use Remote Desktop Connection that uses Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP 7) to connect to a server.
  • Use RemoteFX to support multiple monitors and provide USB and multimedia redirection.
  • Use wired and wireless network connection.

Run applications:

  • Use Win32 applications.

Manage security:

  • Use BitLocker encryption to help secure storage identity.
  • Use Smartcard Active Directory Group Policy to push password policy to devices.

Monitor and manage devices:

  • Use Group Policy to enforce network and user access to the devices, and to configure security, device configuration, and access policies centrally in a domain controller.
  • Use automation scripts with Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) to push settings, such as firewall settings.
  • Use Active Directory Domain Participation and Remote Desktop (RDP) to manage devices from a central location.
  • Use Unified Write Filter (UWF), which combines the functionality of Enhanced Write Filter, File-Based Write Filter, and Registry Filter, to manage disk protection settings.
  • Monitor device health by receiving an alert when Windows Embedded Device Manager (WEDM) detects a predefined failure,

Service devices:

  • Use Windows Update (WU) to install updates to the devices.
  • Manage the system through System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM), a remote client management suite.

Support peripherals:

  • Use built-in drivers to support smart card and USB storage

Collaborate:

  • Use enterprise resources such as shared files and network printers.

Provide a good user experience:

  • Choose Windows 8 Shell or Standard desktop user interface.
  • Use Windows 8 apps.
  • Use Internet Explorer 10 for a Windows 8 web browsing experience.
  • Use Windows Media Player 12 for an enhanced multimedia experience.

Name

Thin Client Template

Category

Templates

Supported Architecture

x86, x64

Settings

None.

Dependencies for x86-Based Devices

When you include this module in your image, any modules that are required are automatically added to your image. To add specific functionality, you can add optional modules.

Required Modules

Requires all of the following:

Dependencies for x64-Based Devices

When you include this module in your image, any modules that are required are automatically added to your image. To add specific functionality, you can add optional modules.

Required Modules

Requires all of the following:

Common Uses

The following user scenarios show the capabilities that this module provides.

The example of how to create an operating system for a thin client shows how to create an operating system for a low-end thin client device that has only basic functionality, such as Remote Desktop Service, Write Filters, and Explorer.

To create an operating system for a thin client

  1. In Image Builder Wizard (IBW), select Thin Client as the starting point.

  2. Make the following changes to the image:

    1. Select the appropriate language, time and currency format.

    2. Select the appropriate keyboard or input method to install on the image.

    3. Unselect the media player.

    4. Select the Unified Write Filter.

  3. Resolve the dependencies.

  4. Use Image Builder Wizard (IBW) to create the embedded image.

  5. Change the desktop wallpaper to a specific picture.

  6. Use an unattended installation to deploy the Standard 8 image to a thin client device.

  7. Install a proprietary application to the thin client, and verify that it is working properly.

  8. Use sysprep to modify certain settings to prevent users from changing system settings.

  9. Use Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) to capture the image, and then deploy it onto other thin client devices.

To install updates to deployed thin clients

  1. Use Windows Update to download the updates to a standalone computer.

  2. Use Windows Update Standalone Installer to install the updates, and then verify that the update was successful.

  3. Use System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) to install the updates to all other thin clients, which allows the Unified Write Filter to remain active.

  4. Update the thin client with additional features, such as driver, service pack, language pack, custom application, or custom driver.

To test the image

  1. Troubleshoot a thin client with an incorrect driver or a missing update.

  2. Use RDP to remotely connect to the server.

  3. Update the machine via SCCM so that the Unified Write Filter remains active.

  4. Restart and verify that everything works correctly.

  5. Start a thin client with a preconfigured Standard 8 image using Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) 4.0.

  6. Run initial steps.

  7. Install a custom application.

  8. Change the settings for a feature.

  9. Run sysprep for generalization.

  10. Capture the image using DISM.

  11. Deploy the image to other machines using DISM or IBW.

Notes

This template does not support Turn Windows features on or off in the Get Programs section of Control Panel.

See Also

Tasks

Use a Template to Build an Image in Image Builder Wizard

Other Resources

Templates Technical Reference