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VHD_WIMBOOT - Apply and Capture of WIM Files for OS in VHD

ramdisk grub4dos wimlib svbus windows 10 ssd usb wim vhd wimboot

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#851 antonino61

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Posted 11 January 2022 - 06:37 AM

well, here I am, the pc has just woken me up after a still night of 1.7gig used space, so no "spontaneous writing" on the vhd, and the sizes ofl assembly and framework folders the same thru the night, perhaps because I have adopted what came out to be the gbrao way - prefill everything before it wants anything.

#852 antonino61

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Posted 11 January 2022 - 06:48 AM

sorry, was it there and then I accidentally took it away and then restored it? I noticed textshaping in the last version whereas I did not see it in the second last. I must have mixed up between syswow64 and system32. I did not see oledlg., absences might also be due to customized removal so I will check better and, sorry if I did take them off. well, I have just checked my custom remove files list and I cant find either, neither in system32 nor in syswow64. who knows what might have happened, sorry anyway if I did. it might happen when we r dealing with thousands of files and hundreds of folders.

#853 wimb

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Posted 12 January 2022 - 10:18 AM

Update Download:  from wimb GitHub  -  Win_Debloat-37  and  Win_Reduce_Trusted-57
 

Download File E = Encrypted PassWord = bootwimb

 

Update Manual:   VHD_WIMBOOT.pdf   - Download: Win10_2004_English_x64.iso for smaller size

 

- Changed - script disable-tasks.ps1 - most Tasks are Deleted, 6 Tasks are Disabled and we Keep 9 tasks needed to get System Up and Running

 

- List_TaskInfo.txt in Debloat_Lists folder gives Info on 9 Tasks needed to get System Up and Running

 

Previously a limited number of Tasks were only Disabled instead of Deleted.

Analysis of Tasks makes it possible to keep only alive the 9 needed Tasks from the List of 190 Tasks  :rolleyes:


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#854 antonino61

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Posted 13 January 2022 - 01:04 AM

Well, ... Superwimb is the right word!!! the debloater makes the system much more slender. as regards the reducer, for the first time my favorite sofware has worked even without winsxs manifest reintegration (so first selection item perfect); the syswow64 selection yields a situation whereby I have to reintegrate the rooot files in order to restore functionality to my favorite software (pretty much like what would happen with winsxs manifest in earlier versions. the rest is still being tested (still on the left side of the mask, though - testing the items one by one). overall, the system seems to be running smaller and smoother. Again, Attaboy Wimb!!!



#855 antonino61

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Posted 13 January 2022 - 06:30 AM

as I said after I tested the second last version, even after testing this version i can confirm that no "spontaneous increase" in used vhd space or assembly and ms.net folders has taken place, and it has been so for the past 5 hours at least. At bootup, I have tried a blank search on swiftsearch and the list of "written things" will not exceed the default swiftsearch page (no need to scroll to go thru it) - which I consider solvable by a few folder-zerobyting sessions - at the end of which, only some 2.5megs get written to the vhd every bootup.


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#856 alacran

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Posted 14 January 2022 - 06:40 PM

@ wimb

 

Just tested Win_Debloat-37 and  Win_Reduce_Trusted-57 on a fresh installed Win10_2004_Spanish(Mexico)_x64.iso

 

My findings are:

 

On remove_DLL_System32.txt

; \Windows\System32\oledlg.dll >>> required for DiskGenius
; \Windows\System32\SensApi.dll >>> required for notepad++

 

The activation was lost.

 

Can't set (ES) Spanish keyboard as default keyboard. (Even if adding it, there is no option to select it as default keyboard, only US or LA (Latin American) are available to select.

 

Other than that all the rest is working fine.

 

Used size is 1.39 GB from a 2 GB Mini-10x64-2004-LZX.vhd, additional programs: Classic Shell and 7-zip.

 

NOTE: I deleted all other KBD*.DLL(s) only KBDUS.DLL, KBDES.DLL and KBDLA.DLL are into \Windows\System32\ folder.

 

In my country desktop keyboards sold in stores are usually es-ES and laptop keyboards are usually LA, (so I need to be able to use both).

 

alacran

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  • Mini-10x64-2004-LZX-es-MX.png

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#857 wimb

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Posted 14 January 2022 - 07:22 PM

@ wimb

 

On remove_DLL_System32.txt

 

The activation was lost.

 

Can't set (ES) Spanish keyboard as default keyboard. (Even if adding it, there is no option to select it as default keyboard, only US or LA (Latin American) are available to select.

 

 

@alacran

 

Thanks for testing  :) I really need such detailed feedback to make further improvements.

 

Removal of half of the System32 DLL files is experimental and I will make corrections in remove_DLL_System32.txt file.

 

Do you mean that without Extra DLL Removal that Activation still exist and that you can Load ES keyboard Or is it a general problem of Mini-10x64 ?



#858 antonino61

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Posted 14 January 2022 - 10:22 PM

well, folks, I have just found out that, whether we like it or not, "clinical zerobyting" of folders is the only solution to keep "spontaneous writing" to vhd as low as 2.5megs. I say clinical because the procedure does not work for all folders. now, if I give u my detailed zero-byte list, can u batch them all together in the following fashion?

 

@echo off
rmdir "i:\System volume information"/s /q
copy "System Volume Information" i:\
echo Done.
:finished
timeout /T 10 >nul
exit

 

system volume information being a mere example

 

I ask u this because doing it one by one might take hours. If it turns out well, we might consider including it in the reducer, since it must be done offline.



#859 antonino61

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Posted 15 January 2022 - 07:06 AM

something like this, I mean.

 

Attached Files



#860 wimb

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Posted 15 January 2022 - 08:19 AM

The activation was lost.

 

Can't set (ES) Spanish keyboard as default keyboard. (Even if adding it, there is no option to select it as default keyboard, only US or LA (Latin American) are available to select.

 

Other than that all the rest is working fine.

 

 

Activation survives Win_Debloat, but is Lost indeed after Win_Reduce (is Activation important and how can we keep Activation ?)

 

Spanish Keyboard Layout requires to keep KBDSP.DLL whereas I kept KBDES.DLL which is Spanish Variation Alternate Keyboard Layout

 

I will change to keep KBDSP.DLL - Next version it will work ....

 

Mini_2004_US_2022-01-15_090029.jpg == KBDSP_2022-01-15_091051.jpg


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#861 antonino61

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Posted 15 January 2022 - 10:15 AM

anyway, if I may, it is enough for alacrán to maintain the 2 kbd*.dll and get rid of the rest, both in system32 and syswow64. that is what I do with the Italian equivalent, and it works fine. it is strange to me, though (just outta curiosity, by all means), that Alacrán does want ES and not MX.

 

As for the rest of dll's, if u want fewer of them, taking a hint from Alacrán, I have found out that diskgenius is less whimmy and demanding than minitool partition wizard.



#862 wimb

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Posted 15 January 2022 - 11:34 AM

Update Download:  from wimb GitHub  -  Win_Debloat-38  and  Win_Reduce_Trusted-58
 

Download File E = Encrypted PassWord = bootwimb

 

Update Manual:   VHD_WIMBOOT.pdf   - Download: Win10_2004_English_x64.iso  and  Win11_English_x64v1.iso

 

- support for Spanish Keyboard - keep KBDSP.DLL  and  KBDLA.DLL in case of Remove Extra DLL files

- several Fixes to support Windows 11x64 - Less Services are Disabled as needed for Network Taskbar Interface

- Keep \Users\USER_NAME\AppData\Local\Packages - needed for W11 Start Menu

- Remove Extra System32 DLL Files Disabled for Win 11x64

  Too many DLL Files are needed for Win11 and the reduction in UsedSize is rather limited

 

Activation survives Win_Debloat, but after Win_Reduce Activation is Lost for Win 10x64 and is still present for Win 11x64

 

2004_Mini_KBBSP_2022-01-15_122018.jpg == W11_Mini_US_2022-01-15_105225.jpg


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#863 antonino61

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Posted 15 January 2022 - 12:38 PM

do u suggest that one keep 2 versions of each separate (1 for Win10 and the other for Win11)?



#864 wimb

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Posted 15 January 2022 - 12:43 PM

do u suggest that one keep 2 versions of each separate (1 for Win10 and the other for Win11)?

 

No. I propose to use DLL reduction only as Option for Win 10x64. For Win11x64 it is already Disabled .....

 

But also for Win10x64 it might be better to just keep the Extra 1450 DLL files, since the space reduction is rather limited .....


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#865 alacran

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Posted 15 January 2022 - 12:49 PM

@ wimb

 

Activation survives Win_Debloat, but is Lost indeed after Win_Reduce (is Activation important and how can we keep Activation ?)

 

Spanish Keyboard Layout requires to keep KBDSP.DLL whereas I kept KBDES.DLL which is Spanish Variation Alternate Keyboard Layout

 

Thanks my friend, I confirm just adding KBDSP.DLL the Spanish keyboard is available and can be selected as default keyboard.

 

I will download Win_Debloat-38 and Win_Reduce_Trusted-58 and comment my findings.

 

 

@ antonino61

 

it is strange to me, though (just outta curiosity, by all means), that Alacrán does want ES and not MX.

 

In my country if you buy an OEM PC (desktop or laptop) it usually has LA (Latin American) keyboard, which is the standard IAW Win.

 

But if you go to any store to buy a keyboard (to replace a broken one or for a desktop you builded), only the Spanish keyboards are available, nobody sells LA (Latin American) keyboards (and don't ask me why but this is a fact).

 

So to summarize I need to have both keyboard options available to let me boot from a USB device and use any of both keyboards as required.

 

alacran


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#866 alacran

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Posted 15 January 2022 - 03:10 PM

@ wimb

 

 

Update Download:  from wimb GitHub  -  Win_Debloat-38  and  Win_Reduce_Trusted-58
 

- support for Spanish Keyboard - keep KBDSP.DLL  and  KBDLA.DLL in case of Remove Extra DLL files

- several Fixes to support Windows 11x64 - Less Services are Disabled as needed for Network Taskbar Interface

- Keep \Users\USER_NAME\AppData\Local\Packages - needed for W11 Start Menu

 

 

- support for Spanish Keyboard - keep KBDSP.DLL  and  KBDLA.DLL in case of Remove Extra DLL files:

 

Good, as I can see this update was made into \Win_Reduce_Trusted-58\Win_Reduce\File_List\remove_DLL_System32.txt file.

 

But I have a couple of questions my friend, Where can I find this 2 updates?:

 

- several Fixes to support Windows 11x64 - Less Services are Disabled as needed for Network Taskbar Interface

- Keep \Users\USER_NAME\AppData\Local\Packages - needed for W11 Start Menu

 

To let me compare with older version and see if I can re-add and/or remove required files to the Mini-10x64-LZX.vhd without a full rebuild and following full debloat and reduce procedures, or Do this 2 updates only apply to Mini-Win11 and Mini-Win10 wasn't moddified?

 

Thanks in advance for yor answer.

 

alacran



#867 wimb

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Posted 15 January 2022 - 03:21 PM

@ wimb

 

 

- support for Spanish Keyboard - keep KBDSP.DLL  and  KBDLA.DLL in case of Remove Extra DLL files:

 

Good, as I can see this update was made into \Win_Reduce_Trusted-58\Win_Reduce\File_List\remove_DLL_System32.txt file.

 

But I have a couple of questions my friend, Where can I find this 2 updates?:

 

- several Fixes to support Windows 11x64 - Less Services are Disabled as needed for Network Taskbar Interface

- Keep \Users\USER_NAME\AppData\Local\Packages - needed for W11 Start Menu

 

To let me compare with older version and see if I can re-add and/or remove required files to the Mini-10x64-LZX.vhd without a full rebuild and following full debloat and reduce procedures, or Do this 2 updates only apply to Mini-Win11 and Mini-Win10 wasn't moddified?

 

Thanks in advance for yor answer.

 

alacran

 

The Download Links are given and it is the usual place as part of VHD_WIMBOOT Releases

 

The 2 modifications for support of Win 11x64 are also applied in case of Win 10x64, but not really necessary in that case.

 

So if you don't rebuild Mini-10x64 there is no problem. The Updates are needed in case of Win 11x64

 

The programs Win_Debloat and Win_Reduce can be used and are the same for Win 10x64 and Win 11x64

 

EDIT: Important Changes for Win11x64 support are here:

 

\Win_Debloat-38\Debloat_Scripts\scripts\disable-services.ps1  - Less Services Disabled so that Taskbar Network Icon is working now OK

 

\Win_Reduce_Trusted-58\Win_Reduce\File_List\remove_sub_Users.txt - Keep \Users\USER_NAME\AppData\Local\Packages - needed for W11 Start Menu

 

Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_*  needed for Win 11x64 Start Menu


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#868 alacran

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Posted 15 January 2022 - 04:36 PM

I start thinking it may be good Win_Debloat and Win_Reduce have separate versions for Win10 and for Win11 as it is becoming very notorious they do not fully share same internal layout and programs.  And the differences will be bigger on every new version of Win 11.

 

Why add unnecessary things to Mini-10x64.vhd just to let Mini-11x64.vhd work fine?, if to start Win_Debloat and Win_Reduce programs were created to remove as much as possible unnecessary things from Mini-10x64.vhd.

 

It seems to me that forcing this 2 programs to keep working for both OSs, avoid to optimize the reductions and functionality in each separate OS. Which is contrary to the desired goal of the programs.

 

alacran


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#869 wimb

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Posted 15 January 2022 - 04:53 PM

At the moment support for Win11x64 in Win_Debloat and Win_Reduce has nearly no effect in the UsedSize of Win10x64.

 

But if in future the UsedSize of Win10x64 would grow in order to support Win11 then I will indeed make different versions for 10 and 11 

 

Also I can make use of File_List files that are specifically used to Reduce Win10 as e.g. remove_DLL_System32.txt


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#870 antonino61

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Posted 16 January 2022 - 08:09 AM

... and there's another thing I have found out while testing - reducing each item one by one is one thing (--> usually success), reducing all items together is another (--> usually failure). How come? or How So? (as u like it)



#871 wimb

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Posted 16 January 2022 - 10:46 AM

 

Activation survives Win_Debloat, but after Win_Reduce Activation is Lost for Win 10x64 and is still present for Win 11x64

 

 

I found the reason why Activation is Not shown in case of Mini-10x64

 

The file that should NOT be removed is 

\Windows\System32\sppobjs.dll

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#872 alacran

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Posted 16 January 2022 - 11:02 AM

@ wimb

 


EDIT: Important Changes for Win11x64 support are here:

 

\Win_Debloat-38\Debloat_Scripts\scripts\disable-services.ps1  - Less Services Disabled so that Taskbar Network Icon is working now OK

 

\Win_Reduce_Trusted-58\Win_Reduce\File_List\remove_sub_Users.txt - Keep \Users\USER_NAME\AppData\Local\Packages - needed for W11 Start Menu

 

Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_*  needed for Win 11x64 Start Menu

 

Thanks, this answer better my questions on post No. 866

 

To make a comparative I made 2 Mini-10x64-2004.vhd(s):

 

Mini-10x64-2004-LZX-Full.vhd  >>>  includes .Net Framework & PowerShell, no DLLs reduced.  Used size is 1.48 GB

Mini-10x64-2004-LZX.vhd  >>> without .Net Framework, DLLs reduced.  Used size is 1.38 GB

 

So as we can see there is not a big space gain if fully removing .Net Framework + reducing DLLs. Please see attached picture.

 

IMHO as long as the final VHD has a maximum of 1.5 GB used space, it is fine to me.

 

alacran

Attached Thumbnails

  • Comparative.png

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#873 wimb

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Posted 16 January 2022 - 11:14 AM

So as we can see there is not a big space gain if fully removing .Net Framework + reducing DLLs. Please see attached picture.

 

IMHO as long as the final VHD has a maximum of 1.5 GB used space, it is fine to me.

 

 

Indeed removal of .NET Framework x64 and  reducing DLL is Not worth the gain in UsedSpace.

 

I think it is fine to have PowerShell x64 support which needs .NET Framework x64


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#874 antonino61

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Posted 16 January 2022 - 11:35 AM

getting to know more and more, but it's not over with, I guess.



#875 wimb

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Posted 17 January 2022 - 08:46 AM

Update Download:  from wimb GitHub  -  Win_Debloat-39  and  Win_Reduce_Trusted-59
 

Download File E = Encrypted PassWord = bootwimb  -  AntVirus Software and Windows Defender must be Disabled for working with signed SVBus driver !!

 

Update Manual:   VHD_WIMBOOT.pdf   - Download:  Win10_2004_English_x64.iso  and  Win11_English_x64v1.iso

 

Short Manual: to make Mini-10x64.vhd with UsedSize Less 1.5 GB in 2 GB VHD booting in UEFI Mode from RAMDISK using SVBus driver

 

WinNTSetup in 25 GB VHD + Online Win_Debloat-39 + Offline Win_Reduce_Trusted-59 + VHD_WIMBOOT_Trusted-65 = Mini-10x64.vhd on USB_FORMAT-63

 

Changes this Update:

- Win_Debloat - "Remove Microsoft Store App" is now seperately Selectable Item

  In case of Normal Windows the average User wants to keep Microsoft Store App, whereas for Mini Windows we want to remove MS Store App

- Win_Debloat - Check / Uncheck All button can be used to Switch to "Preset Normal Windows" Setting - Less agressive Debloat than "Preset Mini Windows"

- Win_Debloat - Less Services are Disabled in disable-services.ps1 script - Only Disable Telemetry, Update and Error Reporting / Log Services

- Win_Reduce - remove_files_System32.txt script - Keep \Windows\System32\sppobjs.dll and wuaueng.dll - needed for Activation

 

Win_Debloat_2022-01-17_085729.jpg


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