Make_WinPE - Make PE WIM File from x64 Windows ISO

 

Update Download:  Make_WinPE_Trusted-29 -  pw=bootwimb   for Windows 10/11 x64 OS 

 

1 - EXPL requires in Add_10_EXPL\Windows\System32\config folder to Add  DEFAULT + DRIVERS + SYSTEM + SOFTWARE registry Hives of 10XPE 2004

 2 - EXPL FileList Add_Install_Files_LARGE_EXPL.txt is OK for Booting with 10XPE 2004 Registry, but Desktop background turns from blue into black

I want to make a build with Explorer, but I have some questions:

1 - Does this mean I have to manually copy there the mentioned Registry Hives?

If the answer is yes, mine could be different than yours, depending of selected options and apps when building my Win10XPE.

 2 - How do I select to use Add_Install_Files_LARGE_Expl.txt?  Could it be just renaming it to Add_Install_Files_LARGE.txt?

alacran

1 = Yes - 10XPE 2004 Registry 4 Hives can be used and you need to copy them to the indicated location

My registry .reg files do not work yet for Explorer Version - That's why I name it Experimental Version  

- for now use Brute Force Fixing until someone solves the issue by making good .reg files for import 

\Windows\System32\Pecmd.ini is auto replaced by version to Launch Explorer Shell instead of WinXShell

2 = EXPL Setting will auto select and use Add_Install_Files_LARGE_EXPL.txt - You need to do nothing

Surprise - When you open Drive Y: then Desktop turns into Blue

Desktop in Explorer Version has different location

Explorer    Version - X:\Users\Default\Desktop

WinXShell Version - X:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\Desktop

My PE_10x64_US_E.wim doesn't boot, all I see is a black screen and the mouse arrow.

I had to use the Reset button to reboot the PC.

alacran

My new SMALL PE is working fantastic, it is only 428 MB, and now it's capable to attach ISO files, Select Files works fine too, and this lets work fine FireFox-64 and WinNTSetup, so far both seem to work fine, also Wimlib-clc can be launched as Admin now.

NOTE: Attach VHD files was working fine before this moddification.

Attached the File_lists I used, and including also some lists with changes for MEDIUM an LARGE remove lists too.

In fact I'm posting from my new SMALL PE.

Attached File_List.7z  Password = alacran

EDIT: I will see if I can make it smaller.

EDIT-2: You can find the new verion of the File_Lists used to reduce the SMALL version to 398 MB, with same funtions mentioned here, in post No. 84.

EDIT-3: The SMALL Final version is only 366 MB now, please see this post.

alacran

I made a new version of my preconfigured LaunchBar (Program page), now the name for the link on the desktop of MEDIUM and LARGE PEs version is LaunchBar_x86-x64, with the idea to make more clear in what architecture it can be used, and by the way added some more sample programs, and also the WinXShell Start Menu, to have it handy there too.

Also edited the Remove_Files for the new link name, but it will be required to first delete the old link into \Wimb\Make_WinPE_Trusted\Make_WinPE\Add_Folders_Files\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\Desktop, and manually add the LaunchBar_x86-x64.lnk

Attached LaunchBar-2.7z and Remove_Files.7z  Passwords = alacran

NOTE: The Remove_Files.7z content is part of the info into File_List.7z  attached in previous post.

alacran

My new build of Small version is now 398 MB, and all seems working fine.

Attached Improved SMALL version.7z    Password = alacran

It contains all the edited File_Lists used to make a SMALL build of this size, with added functionality.

Well I can say it has now all the funtions I was looking for in a only x64 PE, and it's back to same size as before I started moddificating the File_Lists.

By the way I found Remote Regedit and MSPaint stoped working in MEDIUM, maybe caused for some moddifications made by wimb to the Reg files, but this was at least since Make_WinPE v2.8 as I was able to check.  So in consequence both don't work also on this SMALL build.

alacran

My new build of Small version is now 398 MB, and all seems working fine.

 

Attached Improved SMALL version.7z    Password = alacran

 

It contains all the edited File_Lists used to make a SMALL build of this size, with added functionality.

 

Well I can say it has now all the funtions I was looking for in a only x64 PE, and it's back to same size as before I started moddificating the File_Lists.

 

By the way I found Remote Regedid and MSPaint stoped working in MEDIUM, maybe caused for some moddifications made by wimb to the Reg files, but this was at least since Make_WinPE v2.8 as I was able to check.  So in consequence both don't work also on this SMALL build.

 

Thanks for new SMALL File Lists. I will check why Remote Regedit and Paint Stop working in SMALL and MEDIUM version

Well, see you latter my friend, it's 5:00 am here and I need to sleep some hours.

Just downloade your v3.0, and I will test it when I wake up.

alacran

My new build of Small version is now 398 MB, and all seems working fine.

 

Attached Improved SMALL version.7z    Password = alacran

 

It contains all the edited File_Lists used to make a SMALL build of this size, with added functionality.

 

Well I can say it has now all the funtions I was looking for in a only x64 PE, and it's back to same size as before I started moddificating the File_Lists.

 

By the way I found Remote Regedit and MSPaint stoped working in MEDIUM, maybe caused for some moddifications made by wimb to the Reg files, but this was at least since Make_WinPE v2.8 as I was able to check.  So in consequence both don't work also on this SMALL build.

 

@ wimb

wimb, on 20 Feb 2022 - 09:41 AM, said:

1 - Fixed - Paint needs Full WinSxS x64 - So you need to Uncheck the Reduce WinSxS Checkbox that occurs since version 27
2 - Fixed - Runscanner Language dll files were missing since version 24 - Major Update
3 - Info - since version 29 use wimlib instead of dism - Trailing * is allowed for Folder Names - useful for Removal x86 WinSxS folders in SMALL version
reason is that dir fails for case of dism Mount, but works OK for wimlib Apply in Mount (dism non-real versus real file for wimlib case)

1 - Thanks my friend, I apreciate a lot your work, even if you don't use Paint and prefer to use IrfanView.

But after reading your comment, I will use IrfanView too, Paint is very costly in terms of MBs at the end.

Sorry to make you invest your time in finding the cause of the issue, but at least we can say we learned someting else.

2 - Good finding, I checked and the *.exe and the main *.dll were there, (but forgot about the lang *.dll), that's why I thought it was something caused for some possible changes in some of the *.reg files.

3 - Thanks for the info, this simplifies a lot the list editing (if required).

Suggestion:

Since v2.9 the building is faster, but you could improve it even more re-using the WinRe.wim file keeping it in 10-2004 or 11-XXXX folders, and then the program will not need to create WinRe.wim file every build.

EDIT: Of course following will apply only if:

1. Reduce WinSxS was selected.
2. And before Extract the WinRe.wim file.

Optionally running following sample command (just adapt it to your needs), will delete (avoid to Extract) \Windows\WinSxS folder to the Mount folder:

NOTE: If the WIM file has only one index (as in this case), there is no need to type the index number (1 in the following sample), also the number of threads can be omited then all threads will be used (--threads=2 in my sample):

"E:\Make_WinPE_Trusted-30\Make_WinPE\wimlib_x64\wimlib-imagex.exe" update  --include-integrity  --force  --recursive  "E:\Make_WinPE_Trusted-30\Make_WinPE\Build_PE\Winre.wim" 1  --command="delete '\Windows\WinSxS'" --threads=2

This command works at warp speed, as it only writes some info into [DELETED] folder at the root of the WIM file, and it doesn't rebuild the WIM file, in fact after using this command the image becomes 1 MB bigger as I just tested.

The full Windows\WinSxS sub-directory is marqued/identified as deleted into the WIM file in maybe less than a second, with the added benefit that less info (MBs) will be Extracted to Mount folder, reducing then the extraction time and following delete time too.

Or if you prefer you can also use wimupdate.cmd, that is equivalent to:

@echo off
"%~dp0\wimlib-imagex" update %*

For more info see wimupdate.pdf, it has all required info, and it's more explicative than I can be.

Well, now I'll test the new v3.0 and comment back.

alacran

@ wimb

This time making the build using v3.0 my PE_10x64_US_E.wim booted fine to the desktop.

Good work, Congratulations my friend!!!!!

Of course I didn't hope all was going to be working perfectly fine, and I expected some issues, but I can say:

Mainly it is working fine and only has certain minor issues, that seem not so difficult to fix.

Findings:

Not working programs:

From the desktop:

The desktop background is black  >>> opened Y drive and it remains black.
LaunchBar >>> it opens but if make a click in destop it disapears, but still running as checked in Task Manager.
FirefoxPortable >>> it doesn't run. No message.
MSPaint >>> it doesn't run. No message. Not needed having IrfanView, better remove the link.
PowerRun_x64 >>> it doesn't run. Message says: The Sec. logon doesn't exists
Remote Regedit >>> it doesn't run. No message. Possible because of The Sec. logon doesn't exists
VLC >>>  it's not registered, only plays files using SenTo

From Start Menu >>> Programs:

Accesories:

MSPaint >>> it doesn't run. No message. Not needed having IrfanView, better remove the link.
Wordpad >>> it doesn't run. No message.

Registry:

Remote Regedit >>> it doesn't run. No message. As said possible because of The Sec. logon doesn't exists


Attached all LOG files into System32, into System32-logs folder.

Also attached in Extras folder::

B:\Temp\wmsetup.log
Pecmd.ini
PecmdAdmin.ini

Hope this info could be useful for you.

Attached E version Comments.7z  Password = alacran

alacran

Thanks for testing and nice to hear that you can Boot with Explorer Version.

Sure there are more Fixes needed for the Desktop black issue and the Icons and the disappearing Launchbar.

For me FirefoxPortable and Remote Regedit are running fine (did you re-download version 30 to get the RunScannerRes_SP.dll ?)

Strangely Paint and Wordpad also don't work for me allthough I unchecked the Reduce WinSxS Checkbox.

The internal HDD of this PC failed, I replaced it with an spare HDD.

I'm in the process of download your programs, and will make new builds to test again FirefoxPortable and Remote Regedit.

I'll give you new info ASAP.

alacran

FirefoxPortable and Remote Regedit are running fine now.

Maybe the HDD started failing and some sectors were damaged, because I'm sure I redownloade v3.0 and made a new build before running previous test.

In fact a few minutes after that test when booted to the main OS it booted fine but suddenly the HDD fail, I started hearing the classic tic, tic sporadically, and after a few minutes it died, even booting from USB I can't access it.

By the way now during first test something hapenned, I was making a screen refresh  and the desktop background changed from black to blue, but 1 or 2 minutes latter the taskbar disapeared, I created a Shutdown link in drive Y (to keep it handy, just in case) and used it to shutdow the PC, booted again to try to repeat what I did before when the desktop background turned to blue, but I never got it.

alacran

Nice to hear that FirefoxPortable and Remote Regedit are working fine now.

Yes Screen Refresh by pressing F5 can help to turn Desktop from black into blue.

Today I make a detailed comparison between EXPL Version and 10XPE and have found missing and extra files in EXPL Version.

Will try to make them on file level equal and see what happens with the screen color ....

EXPL Version contains WallpaperHost.exe which is removed in 10XPE in Core.Script

GOOD NEWS 

The Black Screen issue in EXPL Version is solved by making EXPL Version more equal to 10XPE Version.

In EXPL Version Add Missing files and Remove Extra files has worked ....

 

Update Download:  Make_WinPE_Trusted-33 -  pw=bootwimb   for Windows 10/11 x64 OS

Just tested Make_WinPE_Trusted V3.3, all working fine in LARGE (Explorer) version, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

My findings:

In Remove_Files_LARGE_EXPL.txt the very last line should not be on the list: \Users\Default\Desktop\IrfanView_x64.lnk

The program is there, and working fine.

In Remove_Folders_LARGE_EXPL.txt This line should be added:  \Program Files\WinXShell

Lines from 79 to 86 in the Pecmd.ini file for LARGE version should be deleted or commented.

This folder is shown as a Sub-section of System Tools in Start Menu, and none of the items it contents work on LARGE version.

alacran

JFYI

Just in case you would like to add additional context menu to the PC icon in LARGE (Explorer) version.

README.txt file content:

NOTE: This addition doesn't work on MEDIUM or SMALL as these two versions lack Windows Explorer.

alacran

In Remove_Files_LARGE_EXPL.txt the very last line should not be on the list: \Users\Default\Desktop\IrfanView_x64.lnk

 

The program is there, and working fine.

 

In Remove_Folders_LARGE_EXPL.txt This line should be added:  \Program Files\WinXShell

 

Lines from 79 to 86 in the Pecmd.ini file for LARGE version should be deleted or commented.

 

This folder is shown as a Sub-section of System Tools in Start Menu, and none of the items it contents work on LARGE version.

 

Thanks for testing and nice to hear that LARGE Explorer Version is working fine.

Indeed the IrfanView Desktop Link should Not be Removed by Remove_Files_LARGE_EXPL.txt

The WinXShell Options are all working fine in LARGE Explorer Version, so I propose to keep the WinXShell Menu Items. They have value.

Thanks for sharing PC-CTMenu.exe , which can be added to LARGE Explorer version allthough 4 of the PC Context Menu Entries don't work.