Prepare the Windows PE Folders

Prepare the Windows PE Folders

This is part 2 of a 6 part series that will give you information on capturing and deploying images using ImageX. In this part, you will prepare the folders used to create a bootable WinPE disk.

• Part 1 Download and Install Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK)
• Part 2 Prepare the Windows PE Folders
• Part 3 Prepare a Bootable CD
• Part 4 Prepare a Bootable USB (optional)
• Part 5 Run Sysprep and Capture an Image using ImageX
• Part 6 Deploy an Image using ImageX

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1. Launch the Windows PE Tools Command Prompt. Click Start -> All Programs -> Windows AIK -> Windows PE Tools Command Prompt.
   
2. Enter the following command at the command prompt:
   Copype.cmd x86 c:\winpe_x86
   This will create c:\WinPE_x86 directory structure and copy files into it. It will also modify the path so that you’ll have access to the peimg, oscdimg and imagex commands.
   
3. Use the following command to add the ImageX program to your directory. ImageX is needed to capture, deploy and manage images. The entire command should be entered on one line. Since the source path has spaces, the quotes must be included.
   Copy “C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\x86\imagx.exe”
   c:\winpe_x86\iso
   If you entered the command correctly, it will respond with “1 file(s) copied.”
   Note: When typing in these long command line commands it’s very likely you’ll have a typo. Expect them and you won’t be disappointed. Common problems are missing spaces or missing quotes. In the previous command, there is a space between Program and Files, and between Windows and AIK. Quotes are used to identify the entire path.
   
4. Install the Package Manager with the following commands. This will allow you to modify Windows image (.wim) files from your bootable disk.
   The XCopy command should be entered on one line.
   XCopy “C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\x86\Servicing”
   c:\winpe_x86\iso\Servicing\ /s
   If prompted if this is a file or directory, enter D for directory. If entered correctly, over 40 files will be copied.
   
5. Enter the following copy command. As with other commands, this should be entered on one line.
   Copy %windir%\System32\msxml6*.dll c:\winpe_x86\iso\servicing
   This command will copy two files.
   
6. Since you included ImageX in step 3 and the purpose of these steps is to capture images, you’ll want to include an exclusion list. This list will prevent ImageX from failing due to some files being locked.
   At the command prompt, enter the following command:
   Notepad
   
7. Notepad will launch. Enter the following exclusion and compression exclusion lists.
   [ExclusionList]
   tfs.log
   hiberfil.sys
   pagefile.sys"
   System Volume Information
   "RECYCLER
   Windows\CSC
   [CompressionExclusionList]
   *.mp3
   *.zip
   *.cab
   \WINDOWS\inf\*.pnf
   
8. Click File -> Save As. On the Save As dialog box, click Browse Folders and browse to the c:\winpe_x86\iso\ folder.
   
9. In the File Name text box, enter “wimscript.ini” and click Save.

You have created your folders that will be used to create a bootable disk. If you want to additional files to your bootable disk, you can add them to the c:\winpe_x86\iso folder. For example, you may want to create a batch file that makes it easier to capture or deploy an image.

In the next part you'll create a bootable CD.

Part 1 Download and Install Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK)
Part 2 Prepare the Windows PE Folders
Part 3 Prepare a Bootable CD
Part 4 Prepare a Bootable USB (optional)
Part 5 Run Sysprep and Capture an Image using ImageX
Part 6 Deploy an Image using ImageX

This information is valuable when preparing for the MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician exams.