Hi . I'm used to make portable Windows installs by first installing the OS on the local disk, then use Disk2VHD.
But this method is long and slow, so I want to learn other ways, to level up my skills.
I'm been spending this last week booting from a NASIBOOT(WINPE11 flavor) ISO, learning everything I could about WinNTSetup. I followed a few guides, tutorials at youtube, etc. You know, "rinse & repeat"...
So, more or less, I know my stuff and how to setup things properly. At least the basic steps...
The objective is always the same: To install Windows 10/11 on a VHD then boot it with Ventoy.
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The testing environment I use is the following:
- Intel core I5-10210Y Chuwi UbookX 2023 Tablet, 8 GB DDR4.
- 256GB SSD as the main local disk (C:), where .vhd will reside.
- Ventoy USB Pendrive for booting things, portable tools, etc. (Ventoy partition is on G:)
- I use the MiniTool Partition Wizard for cleaning partitions, etc.
- Ventoy is well installed and configured on the USB drive, I can boot VHDs, vlnks, etc.
Now, my problem. I'm stuck. No matter what I do, I always end with a .VHD that seems ok, boots ok, then after a while it shows the next message:
Things I've tried at this point:
- I can't pass though that message. It only allows to reboot the machine.
- Running msoobe.exe won't fix the problem. It only makes this popup disappear, keeps loading forever.
- I've tested almost every possible combination of settings in WinNTSetup. Same results...
- All check lights are green.
- I've tried with several Windows distros: Windows10, 11, Tiny11, etc.
- Those all boot fine the traditional way. I can install them on my machine, they all run ok.
- I've also try to create the VHD both from the Disk Manager & from the very WinNTSetup option.
- Enabling/Disabling the error checking for VHDs, by right-clicking on the VHD button at the bottom.
- The former option seems doesn't seem to affect at all in the final install step. It's just a warning.
- I've tried all three types of VHD, VHD(x) and different sizes for the boot partition (100, 256, 512 MB).
- Choosing between both GPT and MBR layout for the VHD.
- I've tried both assigning a drive letter for the boot partition and leaving it unassgined.
- Enabling/disabling Windows 10 reserved space option checkbox, in the 2nd menu...
- Tried few Compact Modes: none, WimBoot, Xpress4K, etc.
- At the next setup screen, choosing between different checkboxes for the BCD, etc.
- At that same screen, deleting the $OEM line, or leaving it as is.
- Running BootIce after the setup to re-process the MBR/PBR on the boot partition of the VHD.
Things I haven't tried yet:
- Booting the resulting VHD onto a virtual machine yet. You know, for Testing purposes...
- ???
- Profit
I may be considering quitting WinNTSetup and try the DISM script method, but I'd like to figure this out first...
OffTopic question: I didn't manage to enter the "hidden menu" at the bottom of WinNTSetup. I click at that area, nothing happens. I'm using WinNTSetup v.5.23. Is it still working? Is it now somewhere else?
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Sorry for the light reading! I suspect this may not be the best place to ask about WinNTSetup, but I can't seem to signup to MSFN forums yet, unrelated problem...
Please feel free to move my topic to wherever suits better.
Thank you all.