8 replies to this topic

[webopolis]

I love this whole winpe thing...pretty cool. I want to be able to use a program I built in C# using .Net for the shell. That means I do not need explorer, or anything else. Just my app with a webbrowser control in it, and access to the web. Can this be done? That should make this thing tiny.

Thanks for any help.

[Brito]

Yep, it's possible.

First you should choose a project and then use the search tool to find what you need and ask around at the respective forum sections where the projects you like are discussed for the steps that you don't understand.

So, start by creating a "normal" Windows PE boot disk and then start tweaking and removing whatever you see as redundant until it gets slim enough for your taste.

Look on the winbuilder section for some of the currently discussed projects.

Last but not least, welcome to the forums!

[webopolis]

Are there any restrictions to the use of this "mini windows" that I should know about? What I have read recently about winpe, is that it shuts down after 72 hours, and does not save any changes made. Does the projects created by WB eliminate these issues?

Thanks...

[Brito]

Most of those limitations come as default on Windows PE.

But the good news is that they can be disabled or solved with some smart techniques.

On each project you test, for example LiveXP or VistaPE - the 72 hour limitation has long ago been solved.

About saving changes - this depends.

Depends on what sort of changes you want to see saved in the first place. As strange as it may seem - sometimes it's an advantage to know that your OS is fresh clean every time you boot it again.

If changes are needed - just let wb build a new project with your new changes. After you get everything configured the way you like, it's a very straightforward process.

Adding programs (if they are not portable), can only be done by rebuilding a new project.

Or you might use some other methods that have been discussed in the past but for the moment, I seriously advice you to first try out the available projects, tweak them and learn how to use wb and then move onto more advanced features.


Once you try out, things will look much more clear.

[MedEvil]

I love this whole winpe thing...pretty cool. I want to be able to use a program I built in C# using .Net for the shell. That means I do not need explorer, or anything else. Just my app with a webbrowser control in it, and access to the web.

And don't forget .net package and IE!

That should make this thing tiny.

Huge, is the word that comes to my mind.

[webopolis]

With just IE, .Net and my tiny little app for a shell, it would be huge?

Hmmm...what about boot time with only those items?

[paraglider]

.net apps are best avoided on pe. Not all projects support .net apps. Adding .net support considerably increases the size of the iso.

[MedEvil]

With just IE, .Net and my tiny little app for a shell, it would be huge?

Hmmm...what about boot time with only those items?

I expect your shell to require about 80 to 90 additional MB on a PE.
This would mean to double the min. size of NaughtyPE, for instance.

[webopolis]

My shell, as it stands right now, is about 10k. It's a very simple C# app with a webbrowser control, that automatically connects to a specific address on my server. For my purposes, I don't need a disk explorer, or anything. Just the ability to view websites online, and printer support.