SDI File Documentation

Overview

Feature Value
File Format SDI (System Deployment Image)
Primary Usage Windows imaging, deployment, and servicing
Developed By Microsoft
MIME Type application/vnd.ms-sdi
File Extension .sdi
Compression Optionally compressed
Encryption Supports encryption
Partition Style Supports both MBR (Master Boot Record) and GPT (GUID Partition Table)
Bootable Can be made bootable
Integration Integrates with Windows Deployment Services (WDS)
Modification Can be modified using tools like ImageX or DISM
File System Support FAT, FAT32, NTFS
Supported OS for Creation Windows XP and newer
Usage Scenarios Pre-installation environments, operating system deployment
Tool to Create Windows Imaging and Configuration Designer (ICD)
Accessibility Mountable as a volume in Windows
Multi-Image Support Supports multiple images within a single file
Customization Supports adding drivers, updates, and packages
Size Limit Dependent on the file system and partition style used
Usage in Embedded Systems Often used for Windows Embedded systems
Update Mechanism Can be updated without recreating the entire image