Help to make a Windows PE disc

[SIW2]

You're welcome. When I get the time will have a look and see if it needs updating.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
another possibly EASIER suggestion -- download Windows 8 ENTERPRISE version (Free 90 / 180 day trial) and create a very useful WINDOWS to GO system --this is a FULLY functioning Windows system (Not a "Live CD") which BOOTS AND RUNS from an external USB / HDD. You can load / install Windows programs on it such as free recovery software. Install this say on an SSD and it even runs decently fast when booted from a USB2 slot with a SATA==>USB2 adapter -- even better if you have USB3 ports with a SATA ==>USB3 adapter.

http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com/biztools/windows-8-how-to-set-up-windows-to-go.html

Cheers
jimbo

 

[SIW2]

Is that allowed?

Windows 8 is also a snag.

Page 2 of your link says this - bit pointless, then:

To maintain the security of the Windows To Go workspace, the USB Windows To Go USB device can’t see the hard drive(s) of the host system it’s running on. Therefore, you can’t use a Windows To Go device to repair a computer or recover files from it.

 

[jimbo45]

Is that allowed?

Windows 8 is also a snag.

Page 2 of your link says this - bit pointless, then:

To maintain the security of the Windows To Go workspace, the USB Windows To Go USB device can’t see the hard drive(s) of the host system it’s running on. Therefore, you can’t use a Windows To Go device to repair a computer or recover files from it.

Hi there
Don't use the workspace or "certified devices" but do it Manually as shown in the link below.

If you create a Windows to go system on a "bog standard" USB device it has full access to all the HOST's HDD's (on any machine --that's why it's PORTABLE).


Creating a Non-Certified Windows To Go USB Drive » ADMIN Magazine

Note on reference to the Image the F1_image file is for 32 bit systems and the F3_image is for 64 bit systems so when reading the article remember to select the correct image.

You also don't need a Microsoft account to download the WAIK either so ignore that piece in the article. If you already have the W7 WAIK that's fine.

I'm actually running this on a W8 to go system which I created as per the article on a Samsung 840 SSD disk. The actual HOST machine is a FRENCH Work computer --can't understand a word so I've booted my own system . No probs whatsoever accessing all the work network HDD's as well.

The response time via SSD and USB port is actually faster than the old W7 system with a spinner in it. !!! (OT here but another reason for always using an SSD where possible for your OS -- W7 performs really fast too with an SSD but I can't make a W7 to go system unfortunately).

Cheers
jimbo

 

[theog]

Is that allowed?

Windows 8 is also a snag.

Page 2 of your link says this - bit pointless, then:

To maintain the security of the Windows To Go workspace, the USB Windows To Go USB device can’t see the hard drive(s) of the host system it’s running on. Therefore, you can’t use a Windows To Go device to repair a computer or recover files from it.

Windows To Go - Unhide Drives from Host Computer

 

[SIW2]

Another bit of incomplete info from MS, then.

Can you see all partitions in explorer? I may have a way of doing that, but don't have an efi system to test it on.

 

[theog]

Yes, you can see all partition.

UEFI not need.
Windows To Go: Feature Overview

 

[SIW2]

You mean like this?

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
Not only can you see all the partitions on the host machine but you get Network access to all network drives on your LAN (assuming you have permissions) just like you would when using a "Normal" windows system.

If you are uncomfortable with Windows 8 just install VMware player on the Windows to Go system and then fire up a W7 VM -- response time is fine even if your whole W8togo setup plus the VM's are on an external HDD -- on an SSD response time won't be a problem.

BTW for testing UEFI systems using a VM - VMware virtual bios allows you to set UEFI even on a non UEFI system so you can play around with that feature on a VM whether your host has the feature or not.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[SIW2]

It is not for the average user. It is only for enterprise customers, slight snag.

Are there any permissons/access problems deleting/renaming files? I expect so.

Can you see the hidden efi partitions in explorer? I expect not.

 

[Big Dawg]

has anyone else had any problems downloading the Paragonpev4 or 5 zip file? I get

Invalid Attachment specified. If you followed a valid link, please notify the administrator
​

 

[whs]

For Windows to go (or any other OS) I have my own approach. Reqires an external SSD. I run Windows 8 and a collection of Linux distros like that.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/276540-portable-os-carry-your-os-external-drive.html

Example of Windows 8 running like this.

http://www.sevenforums.com/virtualization/277690-vmware-player-windows-8-demo.html

But if you want something completely independent on a USB stick (USB2 or USB3) to e.g. recover files, I recommend this.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/287439-emergency-kit-save-your-files-dead-os.html

 

[SIW2]

New version in the works.

 

[SIW2]

Here you go:

View attachment PEALLv9.zip

Extract it to the root of of your Drive . You should have C:\PEALLv9. Run as admin on the .cmd file.

 

[ZeroCold]

Nice shot SIW2..

I followed your instructions and the ISO booted perfectly.
Will it work the same if made from Windows 8.1, in order to use WinPE 5.0 ?
Into Windows 7x64, I have only minimal installation of WAIK, located into "program files"
Into Windows 8.1x64 , I have WADK into program files (x86) folder. Don't know if the WADK allow WinpE 5.0 x64.

 

[SIW2]

Yes, it should work for win7/8/8.1.

WAIK and WADK not needed.

 

[ZeroCold]

Thanks SIW2, Yes it works and produce a WinPE 5.0 Bootable Iso file. Please excuse my ignorance (and bad English), I would like to include to the menu some applications. I have Macrium Reflect Free on my machine, and I see it into the menu. (Launching very slow), but working. I would like to add Aoemi partition assistant. I saw a folder named AOEMI , and installed the program into Windows 8.1, but I can't see it when creating the iso and it's not into the menu. It's x86 program. Is there some files to copy into that folder ? In short .. How to add new applications.? Thanks.

 

[SIW2]

If you are using 64 bit os, the AOMEI menu entry is for Aomei Backupper.

That is because Aomei Backupper has 64 bit coded files.

Aomei partition Asst only comes 32 bit coded. It cannot run in native 64 bit pe.

If you want a partition manager in native 64 pe, Paragon does, but only the paid versions, using the Boot Media Builder files available from your Pargon account.

The only free 64 bit coded partition manager( as far as I know ) is Partition Guru.If you install partition guru Free or Pro, then create your pe, it should be automatically included under the menu entry "PGURU"

http://www.eassos.com/download.php

 

[SIW2]

If you want to run 64 and 32 bit programs in pe, you will need to use an advanced pe build, such as this one ( it is for windows 7 only )

http://www.sevenforums.com/software/300292-win-7-winpemaker-14.html#post2611804

 

[ZeroCold]

Many thanks for replying so fast.

I understand much better now how it works. Congratulations to have made this possible without the add of WAIK or ADK. It take just 1 minute to create an ISO and one more to test it from an USB tumb drive.

I will check also the advanced PE build. Last year I have built a Windows7 x64 PE, but far from the screenshot I can see in your last link.
Thanks again.
Regards