Tuesday, October 8, 2013

How to create Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE) CD or USB?

WinPE is a lightweight version of Windows, it is commonly used for trouble shooting a computer problem or deployment of a OS system.

It is my first time trying it. My purpose is to use it for:
  1. Google
  2. Youtube
  3. Listen Music
  4. Watch CD/VCD/DVD

However, after the try, i can install a browser (Qt Web Browser) to visit the internet, but no more. For me, the only purpose to create it is for trouble shooting, which i think it is a really good tool! (I have tried Puppy Linux for my desktop OS purpose, and this LiveCD site gives others options)

Anyway, this is the step to create the WinPE:

But first of all, these 2 pages also give the installation steps, but they need to use Windows Vista or better, my OS is Windows XP, so my steps are a little bit different.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x6mnMoiv2w
http://www.svrops.com/svrops/articles/winvistape2.htm

Step 1: Install Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK)

Step 2: Make the image file
  • Open from AIK: Deployment Tools Command Prompt
  • Run the followings commands:
> copype x86 c:\winpe
> copy c:\winpe\winpe.wim c:\winpe\iso\sources\boot.wim /y
> copy "c:\program files\windows aik\tools\x86\imagex.exe" c:\winpe\iso\
> oscdimg -n -h -bc:\winpe\etfsboot.com c:\winpe\iso c:\winpe\winpe.iso
  • The image file is now ready at: c:\winpe\winpe.iso

Step 3: Make the CD or USB
  • To make CD, use your own CD image writer (I don't have any suggestion)
  • To make USB, I have found a good one: rufus, simple and easy to use

Done! Good job.