Microsoft WDS reference: Imports an install image to an image store. The syntax and selected example below are adapted from the pinned Windows Server 2025 reference. Module availability, target configuration and delegated permissions determine whether it can run in your environment. Documentation and parameter text: Microsoft, CC BY 4.0; formatting adapted by Cmdlet World. No execution testing is claimed.
Use an account with the target resource permissions documented for Import-WdsInstallImage. Modifying administrative cmdlets may require elevation or delegated administration. This catalog does not assert that ordinary users can execute the command.
Supported environments
Windows / WDS · Windows Server 2025 documentation; feature/module prerequisites apply
Parameters
-AsJob
Runs the cmdlet as a background job. Use this parameter to run commands that take a long time to complete. The cmdlet immediately returns an object that represents the job and then displays the command prompt. You can continue to work in the session while the job completes. To manage the job, use the *-Job cmdlets. To get the job results, use the Receive-Job cmdlet. For more information about Windows PowerShell® background jobs, see about_Jobs.
-CimSession
Runs the cmdlet in a remote session or on a remote computer. Enter a computer name or a session object, such as the output of a New-CimSession or Get-CimSession cmdlet. The default is the current session on the local computer.
-ClientCount
Specifies the number of clients that must connect to a transmission. If you also specify *MulticastTransmission*, this parameter specifies the number of clients that must connect to the ScheduledCast transmission for it to begin. The *StartScheduledCast* parameter can start a transmission before reaching the client count. If you specify the *ClientCount* parameter with the *StartTime* parameter, the transmission starts when either a sufficient number of clients connect, or at the time specified by the *StartTime* parameter. D not use this parameter together with the *ManualStart* parameter.
-DisplayOrder
Specifies the order in which images appear in the boot menu on Pre-Boot Execution Environment (PXE) clients. The menu lists the boot images in ascending order, smallest number to largest number.
-ImageGroup
Specifies the name of an image group. This image group contains the image to import. If you do not specify an image group, and only one image group exists on the server, the cmdlet uses that image group by default. If more than one image group exists on the server, you must specify the image group.
-ImageName
Specifies the name of an image. This is the name of the image to import. This parameter does not support VHD images.
-ManualStart (required)
Indicates that the transmission uses a manual start. If you also specify the *MulticastTransmission* parameter, the cmdlet creates a ScheduledCast transmission that does not begin until a StartScheduledCast command is given.
-Multicast (required)
Indicates that the cmdlet enables an AutoCast transmission on the image. If you do not specify a name by using the *TransmissionName* parameter, the multicast transmission uses the image name.
-NewDescription
Specifies a new description for the install image to create in the import operation.
-NewFileName
Specifies a new file name for the install image to create in the import operation. If you do not specify a name, the cmdlet uses the display name of the source image. The file name must be unique. If you add more than one image, a number is appended to the file name.
-NewImageName
Specifies a new name for the image file to create in the import operation.
-Path (required)
Specifies a fully-qualified path that is available to the Windows Deployment Services server.
-SkipVerify
Indicates that Windows Deployment Services does not verify the source image file before it adds it to the image store.
-StartTime
Specifies a day and time, in MM/DD/YYYY.hh:mm:ss format, that denotes the start time. When you specify the *MulticastTransmission* parameter, this parameter denotes the time the ScheduledCast transmission starts. The StartScheduledCast command can start a transmission before reaching the client count. If you specify both the *StartTime* parameter and the *ClientCount* parameter, the transmission starts when either a sufficient number of clients connect, or the time specified in this parameter is reached. Do not specify this parameter together with the *ManualStart* parameter.
-ThrottleLimit
Specifies the maximum number of concurrent operations that can be established to run the cmdlet. If this parameter is omitted or a value of 0 is entered, then Windows PowerShell® calculates an optimum throttle limit for the cmdlet based on the number of CIM cmdlets that are running on the computer. The throttle limit applies only to the current cmdlet, not to the session or to the computer.
-TransmissionName
Specifies a name for the multicast transmission.
-UnattendFile
Specifies the full path of the answer file associated with the image.
Prerequisites
Windows with the WDS module and the Windows feature or management tools that provide it. Confirm target connectivity and version compatibility using the linked Microsoft reference.
Security considerations
This cmdlet changes system state. Review every target and parameter in the official reference, test outside production, and prepare an appropriate backup or rollback. Do not execute the example automatically.
This command imports an install image and skips the verification of the image. Source: Microsoft, CC BY 4.0; transcript prompt/output removed. This example was not executed.