Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) vs OEM Preinstallation Kit (OPK): The Differences
1. Target audience, Terms and Licenses (obviously).
See more on this on relative product official pages.
All the comparison below is based only on file contents between two medias and does not include differences in folder names, shortcuts and/or registry entries.
2. OPK DVD is bootable
OPK DVD is bootable and thus it includes the following files and folders. AIK DVD does not—and that's why its media is quite smaller.
| .\bootmgr | |
| .\boot\bcd | |
| .\boot\boot.sdi | |
| .\boot\bootfix.bin | |
| .\boot\bootsect.exe | |
| .\boot\etfsboot.com | |
| .\boot\fonts\chs_boot.ttf | |
| .\boot\fonts\cht_boot.ttf | |
| .\boot\fonts\jpn_boot.ttf | |
| .\boot\fonts\kor_boot.ttf | |
| .\boot\fonts\wgl4_boot.ttf | |
| .\efi\microsoft\boot\bcd | |
| .\efi\microsoft\boot\fonts\chs_boot.ttf | |
| .\efi\microsoft\boot\fonts\cht_boot.ttf | |
| .\efi\microsoft\boot\fonts\jpn_boot.ttf | |
| .\efi\microsoft\boot\fonts\kor_boot.ttf | |
| .\efi\microsoft\boot\fonts\wgl4_boot.ttf | |
| .\sources\boot.wim |
3. Branding.
The following files are different.
| .\background.bmp | |
| .\startcd.ini | |
| .\waik_license.rtf |
(The last file is obviously located only on the AIK media and not in the OPK).
4. Documentation (also obviously).
Here's the difference in what's provided with both kits. A lot of AIK documentation is available online and is not included into the media.
| AIK | OPK |
| .\readme.htm | .\readme.htm |
| .\docs\chms\waik.chm | .\docs\chms\opk.chm |
| .\docs\chms\usmt.chm | |
| .\docs\whitepapers\stepbystep_itpro.htm | .\docs\whitepapers\stepbystep_oem.htm |
| .\docs\whitepapers\system_builder_quick_start.htm | |
| .\docs\whitepapers\hardware requirements\media center\green_button_art_rbg.png | |
| .\docs\whitepapers\hardware requirements\media center\ime_localization.xls | |
| .\docs\whitepapers\hardware requirements\media center\mcb_11mm_universal_keycap_asm.eps | |
| .\docs\whitepapers\hardware requirements\media center\mcb_11mm_universal_keycap_asm.stp | |
| .\docs\whitepapers\hardware requirements\media center\mcb_6_6mm_universal_keycap_asm.eps | |
| .\docs\whitepapers\hardware requirements\media center\mcb_6_6mm_universal_keycap_asm.stp | |
| .\docs\whitepapers\hardware requirements\media center\mcb_9mm_universal_keycap_asm.eps | |
| .\docs\whitepapers\hardware requirements\media center\mcb_9mm_universal_keycap_asm.stp | |
| .\docs\whitepapers\hardware requirements\media center\mediacenterinternationalsupport.pdf | |
| .\docs\whitepapers\hardware requirements\media center\mediacenterinternationalsupport.xps | |
| .\docs\whitepapers\hardware requirements\media center\ocur_deployment_guidelines.pdf | |
| .\docs\whitepapers\hardware requirements\media center\ocur_deployment_guidelines.xps | |
| .\docs\whitepapers\hardware requirements\media center\printed_thin_profile_button_art_cmyk.eps | |
| .\docs\whitepapers\hardware requirements\media center\rc-ir-collection.pdf | |
| .\docs\whitepapers\hardware requirements\media center\rc-ir-collection.xps | |
| .\docs\whitepapers\hardware requirements\media center\wmc_opk_intro.pdf | |
| .\docs\whitepapers\hardware requirements\media center\wmc_opk_intro.xps | |
| .\docs\whitepapers\hardware requirements\media center\xp_ir_trans_rec_req.rtf | |
| .\docs\whitepapers\hardware requirements\tablet\vista_mobile_pc_technical_guidance_whitepaper.pdf | |
| .\docs\whitepapers\hardware requirements\tablet\vista_mobile_pc_technical_guidance_whitepaper.xps | |
| .\docs\whitepapers\software customization\oem_user_experience_guidelines.pdf | |
| .\docs\whitepapers\software customization\oem_user_experience_guidelines.xps | |
| .\localized_docs\bg-bg\oem_user_experience_guidelines.pdf | |
| .\localized_docs\bg-bg\oem_user_experience_guidelines.xps | |
| .\localized_docs\bg-bg\system_builder_quick_start.htm | |
| .\localized_docs\et-ee\oem_user_experience_guidelines.pdf | |
| .\localized_docs\et-ee\oem_user_experience_guidelines.xps | |
| .\localized_docs\et-ee\system_builder_quick_start.htm | |
| .\localized_docs\hr-hr\oem_user_experience_guidelines.pdf | |
| .\localized_docs\hr-hr\oem_user_experience_guidelines.xps | |
| .\localized_docs\hr-hr\system_builder_quick_start.htm | |
| .\localized_docs\lt-lt\oem_user_experience_guidelines.pdf | |
| .\localized_docs\lt-lt\oem_user_experience_guidelines.xps | |
| .\localized_docs\lt-lt\system_builder_quick_start.htm | |
| .\localized_docs\lv-lv\oem_user_experience_guidelines.pdf | |
| .\localized_docs\lv-lv\oem_user_experience_guidelines.xps | |
| .\localized_docs\lv-lv\system_builder_quick_start.htm | |
| .\localized_docs\ro-ro\oem_user_experience_guidelines.pdf | |
| .\localized_docs\ro-ro\oem_user_experience_guidelines.xps | |
| .\localized_docs\ro-ro\system_builder_quick_start.htm | |
| .\localized_docs\sk-sk\oem_user_experience_guidelines.pdf | |
| .\localized_docs\sk-sk\oem_user_experience_guidelines.xps | |
| .\localized_docs\sk-sk\system_builder_quick_start.htm | |
| .\localized_docs\sl-si\oem_user_experience_guidelines.pdf | |
| .\localized_docs\sl-si\oem_user_experience_guidelines.xps | |
| .\localized_docs\sl-si\system_builder_quick_start.htm | |
| .\localized_docs\sr-latn-cs\oem_user_experience_guidelines.pdf | |
| .\localized_docs\sr-latn-cs\oem_user_experience_guidelines.xps | |
| .\localized_docs\sr-latn-cs\system_builder_quick_start.htm | |
| .\localized_docs\th-th\oem_user_experience_guidelines.pdf | |
| .\localized_docs\th-th\oem_user_experience_guidelines.xps | |
| .\localized_docs\th-th\system_builder_quick_start.htm | |
| .\localized_docs\uk-ua\oem_user_experience_guidelines.pdf | |
| .\localized_docs\uk-ua\oem_user_experience_guidelines.xps | |
| .\localized_docs\uk-ua\system_builder_quick_start.htm |
5. OPK includes the following items that are not available in AIK.
5a. Microsoft Windows Recovery OPK Configuration Tool (WinReCfg.exe).
5b. The Windows Recovery Environment feature package for Windows PE (WinPE-SRT).
It provides a recovery platform for automatic system diagnosis and repair and the creation of custom recovery solutions. It includes the following Optional Components (OC).
| Component | File name | File Description |
| Microsoft-Windows-BootEnvironment-DVD-BOOTFIX | - | - |
| Microsoft-Windows-BootEnvironment-DVD-EFI | BCD | - |
| boot.sdi | - | |
| Microsoft-Windows-BootEnvironment-DVD-EFISYS | efisys.bin | - |
| Microsoft-Windows-BootEnvironment-DVD-ETFSBOOT | etfsboot.com | - |
| Microsoft-Windows-BootEnvironment-DVD-PCAT | BCD | - |
| boot.sdi | - | |
| Microsoft-Windows-BootEnvironment-DVD | - | - |
| Microsoft-Windows-DisasterRecoveryUI | bmrui.exe | Microsoft® Windows Disaster Recovery UI |
| Microsoft-Windows-ErrorReportingCore | wer.dll | Windows Error Reporting DLL |
| WERDiagController.dll | WER Diagnostic Controller | |
| wermgr.exe | Windows Problem Reporting | |
| Microsoft-Windows-ErrorReportingUI | werui.dll | Windows Error Reporting UI DLL |
| Microsoft-Windows-ICacls | icacls.exe | - |
| Microsoft-Windows-Memory-Diagnostic-Schedule | MdSched.exe | Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool |
| Microsoft-Windows-RecDisc-Main | recdisc.exe | Microsoft® Windows Repair Disc |
| Microsoft-Windows-SPP-Main | spp.dll | Microsoft® Windows Shared Protection Point Library |
| sxproxy.dll | Microsoft® Windows System Protection Proxy Library | |
| Microsoft-Windows-SRT | - | - |
| Microsoft-Windows-SystemRestore-Main | srclient.dll | Microsoft® Windows System Restore Client Library |
| srcore.dll | Microsoft® Windows System Restore Core Library | |
| rstrui.exe | Microsoft® Windows System Restore | |
| Microsoft-Windows-SystemRestore-SrHelper | srhelper.dll | Microsoft® Windows driver and windows update enumeration library |
| Microsoft-Windows-VssService | VSSVC.exe | Microsoft® Volume Shadow Copy Service |
| Microsoft-Windows-WinPE-OC-SRT-Deployment | - | - |
| Microsoft-Windows-WinRE-RecoveryAgent | ReAgent.xml | - |
| ReAgent.dll | Microsoft Windows Recovery Agent DLL | |
| Microsoft-Windows-WinRE-Tools | StartRep.exe | Startup Repair |
| RecEnv.exe | Windows Recovery Environment | |
| BootRec.exe | Disk Metadata Diagnosis and Repair Tool (aka FixPart.exe) |
6. Code samples.
They are a bit different between the Kits. I have no idea on what all these files are about so here's just the list.
6a. Help Customization.
| AIK | OPK |
| .\f_sample_aik_helpcust_escalation.h1c | .\f_sample_opk_helpcust_escalation.h1c |
| .\f_sample_aik_helpcust_escalation.h1v | .\f_sample_opk_helpcust_escalation.h1v |
| .\f_sample_aik_helpcust_escalation.xml | .\f_sample_opk_helpcust_escalation.xml |
| .\f_sample_aik_helpcust_escalation_assetid.h1k | .\f_sample_opk_helpcust_escalation_assetid.h1k |
| .\f_sample_aik_helpcust_escalation_bestbet.h1k | .\f_sample_opk_helpcust_escalation_bestbet.h1k |
| .\f_sample_aik_helpcust_escalation_linkterm.h1k | .\f_sample_opk_helpcust_escalation_linkterm.h1k |
| .\f_sample_aik_helpcust_escalation_subjectterm.h1k | .\f_sample_opk_helpcust_escalation_subjectterm.h1k |
| .\f_sample_aik_helpcust_f.png | .\f_sample_opk_helpcust_f.png |
| .\f_sample_aik_helpcust_fabrikam.windows.client.f.png | .\f_sample_opk_helpcust_fabrikam.windows.client.f.png |
| .\f_sample_aik_helpcust_fabrikam.windows.client.stylesheets.escalation.css | .\f_sample_opk_helpcust_fabrikam.windows.client.stylesheets.escalation.css |
| .\f_sample_aik_helpcust_fabrikam.windows.client.stylesheets.helphome.css | .\f_sample_opk_helpcust_fabrikam.windows.client.stylesheets.helphome.css |
| .\f_sample_aik_helpcust_helphome.h1c | .\f_sample_opk_helpcust_helphome.h1c |
| .\f_sample_aik_helpcust_helphome.h1v | .\f_sample_opk_helpcust_helphome.h1v |
| .\f_sample_aik_helpcust_helphome.xml | .\f_sample_opk_helpcust_helphome.xml |
| .\f_sample_aik_helpcust_helphome_assetid.h1k | .\f_sample_opk_helpcust_helphome_assetid.h1k |
| .\f_sample_aik_helpcust_helphome_bestbet.h1k | .\f_sample_opk_helpcust_helphome_bestbet.h1k |
| .\f_sample_aik_helpcust_helphome_linkterm.h1k | .\f_sample_opk_helpcust_helphome_linkterm.h1k |
| .\f_sample_aik_helpcust_helphome_subjectterm.h1k | .\f_sample_opk_helpcust_helphome_subjectterm.h1k |
| .\f_sample_helpcust_corporate.h1c | .\f_sample_helpcust_oem.h1c |
| .\f_sample_helpcust_corporate.h1t | .\f_sample_helpcust_oem.h1t |
| .\f_sample_helpcust_corporate_assetid.h1k | .\f_sample_helpcust_oem_assetid.h1k |
| .\f_sample_helpcust_corporate_bestbet.h1k | .\f_sample_helpcust_oem_bestbet.h1k |
| .\f_sample_helpcust_corporate_linkterm.h1k | .\f_sample_helpcust_oem_linkterm.h1k |
| .\f_sample_helpcust_corporate_subjectterm.h1k | .\f_sample_helpcust_oem_subjectterm.h1k |
6b. Mobility Center Customization.
This is available in the OPK only.
| .\f_mobility_icon1.ico | |
| .\f_mobility_icon2.ico | |
| .\f_mobility_icon3.ico | |
| .\f_mobility_icon4.ico | |
| .\f_mobility_icon5.ico | |
| .\f_mobility_icon6.ico | |
| .\f_mobility_icon7.ico | |
| .\f_mobility_icon8.ico | |
| .\f_mobility_mobilitycenterextensibility.idl | |
| .\f_mobility_mobilitycenterextensibility_sample.idl | |
| .\f_mobility_mobilitycenterrefresh.h | |
| .\f_mobility_mobilitycenterrefresh.h_sample | |
| .\f_mobility_mobilitycenterrefresh.lib | |
| .\f_mobility_mobilitycenterrefresh_amd64.lib | |
| .\f_mobility_mobilitycenterrefresh_ia64.lib | |
| .\f_mobility_mobilitycenterrefresh_x86.lib | |
| .\f_mobility_mobilitycentersample.cpp | |
| .\f_mobility_mobilitycentersample.h | |
| .\f_mobility_mobilitycentersample.rc | |
| .\f_mobility_mobilitycentersample.reg | |
| .\f_mobility_mobilitycentersample.rgs | |
| .\f_mobility_mobilitycentersample.sln | |
| .\f_mobility_mobilitycentersample.vcproj | |
| .\f_mobility_oemlogo.png | |
| .\f_mobility_resource.h | |
| .\f_mobility_stdafx.cpp | |
| .\f_mobility_stdafx.h | |
| .\f_mobility_tilebutton1.cpp | |
| .\f_mobility_tilebutton1.h | |
| .\f_mobility_tilebutton2.cpp | |
| .\f_mobility_tilebutton2.h | |
| .\f_mobility_tilebutton3.cpp | |
| .\f_mobility_tilebutton3.h | |
| .\f_mobility_tilebutton4.cpp | |
| .\f_mobility_tilebutton4.h | |
| .\f_mobility_tiledropdown.cpp | |
| .\f_mobility_tiledropdown.h | |
| .\f_mobility_tileslider.cpp | |
| .\f_mobility_tileslider.h | |
| .\f_mobility_tilesliderlive.cpp | |
| .\f_mobility_tilesliderlive.h |
All other content is identical.
Including
- .\Neutral.cab (that contains the vast majority of tools) and
- .\WinPE.cab (that is different for some reason but its contents is absolutely the same).