When an In-Place upgrade is not possible, and you need to wipe the old operating system before installing the new operating system and migrate user data and applications.
In Configuration Manager, create the WSA Script Package first. Next, create the base task sequence and then customize it with logic to execute the Capture Data and Settings Task Sequence
Wipe and load without user state migration
The Task Sequence detailed below assumes the Windows Servicing Assistant will be used to capture data and settings from the current OS and migrate these, along with applications, to the new OS. If you only want to migrate applications using the Windows Servicing Assistant and want to skip user state migration, you can add a condition to the Capture Files and Settings group and Restore User Files and Settings group so they only execute if the TS variable 1ESkipUserStateCapture is not true. 1ESkipUserStateCapture is set by the WSA Actions - Initialize step if the option Do not capture user files and settings is enabled in the Data Capture tab of the Wipe and Load Non-destructive WSA Application settings. If you will never use user state migration, you can remove the Capture Files and Settings group and Restore User Files and Settings group altogether, but you must still enable the option Do not capture user files and settings in the Data Capture tab of the Wipe and Load Non-destructive WSA Application settings, otherwise WSA will fail as it will attempt to locate these steps in the Task Sequence when it determines how much space is required.
Creating the Wipe and Load Non-Destructive base task sequence
Nested Task Sequences
The Windows Servicing Assistant (WSA) does not currently support nested Task Sequences (Task Sequences that include the Run Task Sequence step). If your Task Sequence includes Run Task Sequence steps, WSA will fail. You will need to copy the steps from the included Task Sequence and paste them into a group in the WSA Task Sequence.
The process and procedure is described below.
To create the Wipe and Load Non-Destructive Task Sequence:
- From the Configuration Manager console, select the Software Library workspace.
Expand the Operating Systems tree and choose Task Sequences.
- Right-click Task Sequences.
- From its context menu, choose Create Task Sequence.
On the Create New Task Sequence screen:
- Select the Install an existing image package option.
- Click Next.
On the Task Sequence Information screen:
- In Task sequence name, enter a logical name for it. For example, Computer Refresh.
- In Description, enter a description for it.
On the Install Windows screen:
- In Image package, select the image package you want.
- In Image index, select the image index you want.
- Uncheck the option Partition and format the target computer before installing the operating system. As this is a non-destructive Task Sequence, the disk partition/format cannot be changed.
- In Product key, enter your Windows operating system licence key.
- Select the administrator password option that suits your security policy - enter and confirm the local admin password if the administrator account is to be enabled..
- Click Next.
On the Configure Network screen:
- Select the Join a domain option.
- Enter or browse for the Domain and Domain OU that the machine should be joined to. Note that you must specify a valid OU and cannot use the Computers container
- In Account, enter the name of the account you want to use to join the domain.
- Click Next.
On the Install Configuration Manager screen:
- If required, add any Installation Properties specific to your environment and click Next.
On the State Migration screen:
- Ensure the Capture user settings and files option is selected.
- Ensure the USMT Package refers to the correct USMT package (click Browse to locate the USMT package if necessary).
- Select the Save user settings and files locally option and check the option Capture locally by using links instead of by copying files
- Click Next.
On the Include Updates screen:
- Select the Required for installation – Mandatory software updates only option.
- Click Next.
On the Install Applications screen:
- Define the applications to be installed by the task sequence after the OS has been upgraded.
- Click Next.
On the Nomad Settings screen:
- Select the Enable Nomad – Modifies currently associated reference packages option.
- Click Next.
On the Summary screen:
- Review your settings.
- Click Next.
- When the Create Task Sequence wizard completes, click Close.
The process for customizing the base task sequence
The Task Sequence to the left is the base task sequence created from the previous steps. We are going to use this base task sequence and extend its functionality by adding action steps as well groups and sub groups with their own action steps to extend its functionality. As you build the task sequence, define the behavior for groups and add the logic to each of the steps you create. In our example, at the root of the task sequence we are going to create:
Within the Main group, we are going to customise by:
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The process and procedures follows:
- On the Configuration Manager console, right-click the Wipe and Load Non-Destructive Task Sequence from the list of task task sequences.
From its context menu, choose Edit.
Customizing the base task sequence
To customize the newly created task sequence with sequential steps to specifically address the destructive wipe and load:
In the Capture User Files and Settings group, remove the Set Local State Location step
- Move the Restore User Files and Settings group down so that it becomes a direct child of the Main group.
- Click OK to save the task sequence.