This web site is for information technology personnel and home users who need to capture and apply Windows system images. An ISO file is available for download (see link below) to assist in this task. It is a modified version of Windows PE 10 64-bit. The unmodified Windows PE works fine but requires the user to type several commands at the command line. This tends to be tedious so batch scripts were developed to automate the process. See "ReadMe.txt" in the root of the ISO file for instructions on how to create a bootable USB flash drive from the ISO file. Video files are available below (.MP4 format) which illustrate how to create and deploy .WIM images. Change the background color of this page with buttons at the bottom.
Two choices are displayed when the system boots into Windows PE:
Deploy or Create
Deploy - to apply a captured WIM image.
Create - to capture a WIM image.
Figure 1 - Windows PE main menu
Microsoft uses the terms "capture" and "apply". The modified Windows PE described here uses "create" and "deploy" instead but they do the same thing.
Use the download link below to get the Windows PE ISO file.
Right-click the downloaded file and mount it to view the contents of the ISO.
See "System-Imaging-via-Windows-PE-and-USB-Flash-Drive.pdf" for an overview. You can create a WIM image immediately after creating the bootable USB flash drive. However, to deploy a WIM image it is necessary to edit the "PROCEED.CMD" file and specify the WIM file you wish to deploy.
Please note this modified version of Windows PE was developed only for computers that use Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) boot mode. It will not work with computers that use BIOS boot mode. Boot mode (UEFI or BIOS) might be configurable on certain computer brands. Check your computer by entering system setup at startup. F2 key for Dell, Enter key for Lenovo, F10 key for HP. Then browse the boot settings for compatibility. If your computer cannot use UEFI boot mode, then this ISO would not be useful to you.
A word of caution - Do not double-click PROCEED.CMD for editing purposes. Instead, open notepad first, then browse to PROCEED.CMD and open it with notepad.
Why?
The PROCEED.CMD file is a script that formats and partitions the internal storage device. PROCEED.CMD can be edited after Windows PE boots. Type "notepad" at the Windows PE command line.
Figure 2 - Specify WIM file to deploy
IT personnel are advised to test this imaging method in a non-production environment, then use in production if appropriate.
Technical notes, tips and general information
[a] Turn off BitLocker drive encryption prior to image capture (create).
Run cmd.exe as administrator, then issue this command: manage-bde -off c:
Check status of decryption progress with this command: manage-bde -status c:
Image capture will fail if BitLocker is on.
[b] Turn off secure boot in your computer system setup. This is necessary to boot from the Windows PE USB flash drive.
[c] Ensure that UEFI boot mode is enabled in your computer system setup. BIOS boot mode will not work.
[d] This imaging method is successful with Windows 11 and Windows 10.
[e] Captured WIM files are stored in the root of the USB flash drive.
[f] Rufus software (to create the bootable flash drive) is in the Rufus folder.
[g] ISO file editor "UltraISO Premium" was used to modify the original Windows PE ISO file.
[h] boot.wim (Windows PE boot file) is stored in the \sources folder. It was modified to show "Windows PE 10 64-bit" overlay on the wallpaper bitmap file.
[i] boot.wim can be modified further if desired via dism.exe (a Microsoft utility).
[j] Use dism.exe and an ISO file editor to design different functions from this ISO.
[k] Windows commands (cmd.exe) to show checksum values:
Create WIM video
00:02 <Enter> to interrupt normal startup
00:13 F12 to choose temporary startup device
00:33 USB flash drive selected as boot device
00:49 Main menu
01:01 Type "create"
01:03 Option to abort
01:39 Specify .WIM file to create
01:40 Creation is underway
08:05 100% progress - file integrity check
10:10 Finished
10:19 Spacebar pressed - end of video
Deploy WIM video
00:06 <Enter> to interrupt normal startup
00:17 F12 to choose temporary startup device
00:38 USB flash drive selected as boot device
00:52 Main menu
01:00 Type "dir *.wim" to list stored WIM files
01:20 Select and copy file name to clipboard
01:32 Open notepad
02:02 Open PROCEED.CMD
02:18 Paste file name in PROCEED.CMD
02:27 Save PROCEED.CMD
02:31 Close notepad
02:42 Type "startnet" for main menu
02:55 Type "deploy"
03:07 Type "proceed" - deployment is underway
04:52 Finished
05:08 Type "exit" - end of video
A new boot.wim file is available for download. It replaces the old boot.wim in the \sources folder on the ISO image. The updated file contains additional drivers for internal storage devices. Specifically, it has Intel Rapid Storage Technology drivers. Storage devices in Dell OptiPlex Micro 7020 systems (manufactured in 2025) are now visible when booting Windows PE with the new boot.wim file. It is likely that storage devices in other systems would be visible as well.
There is no need to recreate the USB flash drive from the ISO. Create the USB drive as described in the ISO documentation. Then just replace the boot.wim file (via link below) and you are done. You may wish to backup the old boot.wim before replacing it.
