Frequently Asked Questions
This page answers the most common questions about ArkDeploy services and the ArkDeploy Toolkit. If your question is not covered here, feel free to get in touch.
General Questions
For paid services, ArkDeploy delivers a fully built, serviced, and validated Windows image tailored to your requirements. Images are delivered as standard WIM or ESD files that you own and can redeploy as needed.
The ArkDeploy Toolkit is provided separately as a free, open-source Windows deployment framework.
Yes. Every image is rebuilt from clean Windows installation media using a controlled build process. No legacy base images are reused and no incremental patch-over workflows are used.
This ensures consistent, reproducible results across releases.
Most customers engage ArkDeploy for a one-off image build. Some return for refreshes, additional variants, or periodic update work. There is no lock-in or subscription requirement.
Yes. ArkDeploy works with businesses, MSPs, system builders, and IT teams across a range of environments. Education pricing is offered separately.
A standard image build typically takes several working days from confirmed requirements to delivery. More complex builds or multi-variant work may take longer.
A Windows Golden Image is a fully configured and serviced Windows installation used as a deployment baseline. ArkDeploy builds Windows Golden Images from clean Microsoft installation media, integrates required updates and customisations, validates recovery functionality, and delivers a deployment-ready image for use across multiple devices. Read our complete guide to Windows Golden Images.
Standard Windows image builds start at £500. Education packages start at £450 for schools and colleges. Custom projects are quoted based on servicing requirements, application integration, hardware targeting, and deployment complexity.
Yes. ArkDeploy does not provide Windows licences. Customers must hold appropriate Microsoft licences for Windows and any software included within the image. ArkDeploy builds and customises deployment-ready Windows images from official Microsoft installation media.
No. ArkDeploy provides image engineering, servicing and deployment preparation services. Windows licensing remains the responsibility of the customer.
Technical
ArkDeploy supports modern Windows 10 and Windows 11 releases, including Pro, Pro for Education, Education, and Enterprise editions. Other editions can be discussed if required.
Both. ArkDeploy can deploy, capture, and service images in WIM or ESD format depending on your workflow and requirements.
Images are serviced against a defined Windows release baseline with the latest available updates integrated at build time. This includes Servicing Stack Updates, Cumulative Updates, .NET updates, and Microsoft Defender platform and intelligence updates.
The Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) is also serviced and aligned with the image baseline.
Yes. Microsoft Defender platform and intelligence updates are integrated at build time so systems are protected from first boot.
Yes. Customisations, applications, and servicing components are engineered to persist correctly after Windows Reset (Push Button Reset). Reset functionality is validated before delivery.
Basic driver integration is included when drivers are supplied as INF-based packages. Drivers are integrated into the image but are not individually hardware-certified unless agreed as part of advanced work.
Yes. Delivered images are standard Windows image files and can be deployed using your existing tooling, USB-based imaging, network deployment, or the ArkDeploy Toolkit.
ArkDeploy applies engineering practices commonly used in OEM manufacturing environments. Images are rebuilt from clean source media, fully serviced, validated, and tested before delivery, with particular focus on recovery behaviour, servicing integrity, and long-term maintainability.
Security and Process
Yes. All images are created, serviced, and validated on a closed, offline build network and are never exposed to the public internet prior to delivery.
No third-party software is included unless explicitly requested. Images contain only the components agreed during scoping.
Yes. Each image is manually deployed and validated for successful installation, servicing integrity, reset behaviour, and recovery functionality before delivery.
No. ArkDeploy does not require customer credentials for standard image builds. Any exceptions are discussed and handled securely on a case-by-case basis.
Delivery
Images are delivered using encrypted file transfer with password-protected, time-limited download links. Passwords are shared separately from the download link.
Yes. Every delivered image includes a SHA-256 integrity hash so customers can independently verify file integrity after transfer.
No. ArkDeploy does not retain customer images after delivery unless explicitly agreed as part of repeat or ongoing work.
ArkDeploy Toolkit
Yes. The toolkit is free, open source, and released under the MIT License.
No. Delivered images can be deployed using your existing deployment solution, including MDT, SCCM, Microsoft Configuration Manager, USB deployment, network imaging solutions, or the ArkDeploy Toolkit.
Still Have Questions?
If you have specific requirements or want to discuss your environment, get in touch and ArkDeploy will be happy to help.