Linux (LIE)
The Linux environment is the default imaging environment and is included with CloneDeploy. No extra setup is required to use it. CloneDeploy was created mainly for this environment and in most cases, this is the one you want to use. It supports imaging a wide variety of Filesystems.
WinPE (WIE)
The WinPE environment is an additional environment created solely for imaging Windows. Most of the time it is not needed, but does offer some additional features, such as secure boot support. It also serves as a backup option for computers that are not compatible with the LIE. Due to licensing restrictions, it is not distributed with CloneDeploy, but I have created an automated tool to create it for you. See WinPE Imaging Environment for more info.
WinPE
Linux
Supported Filesystems
FAT32 / NTFS
Almost Anything
Supported Filesystem Capture Level
File
File / Block
Capture Only Used Blocks Filesystems
N/A
FAT(12-16-32) / NTFS / exFAT
ext(2-3-4) / XFS / HFS+
Supported File Level Filesystems
FAT32 / NTFS
NTFS / ext(2-3-4)
Supported Partition Type
GPT / MBR
GPT / MBR
Supported Bios Type
Legacy BIOS / EFI
Legacy BIOS / EFI
Supported Boot Methods
ISO / USB / PXE
ISO / USB / PXE
Secure Boot Support
Yes with
ISO / USB / PXE
Partial - only with
ISO / USB Or
PXE mode set to Grub
Speed Comparison
Slower Than Linux Block
Comparable To Linux File
Faster Than WinPE
Multicast
Yes
Yes
Supports Dual Boot
No
Yes - Results Vary
Restore EFI Image To Bios Computer
Yes
Partial(Only with Standard partition layout)
Restore Bios Image to Efi Computer
Yes
Partial(Only with Standard partition layout)
Restore 4k Native Image To 512b
Yes
Partial(Only with File based image)
Restore 512b Image To 4k Native
Yes
Partial(Only with File based image)
Change Computer Name
Yes
Yes - Ntfs Only
Restore Image To Smaller Hard Drive
Yes
Yes - NTFS and
ext(2-3-4) Only
Expand Image To Fill Larger Hard Drive
Yes
Yes - NTFS XFS
and ext(2-3-4) Only
Extended Partitions
No
Yes