How to create Installer for Windows 7

[crosuperman]

I searched Internet and this forum but I didn't find detail tutorial how to create Installer for Windows 7. To understand me better I mean how to create all files and folders which need to make ISO for Windows 7 (look picture below)? Which files need, which folders create, where to find (download) that files...?
I found this tutorial for Win XP, but not for Win 7.

If somebody have enough time and will to describe this in details step by step (with or without pictures), or if somebody know where to find tutorial about this to put link to tutorial, I would be very thankful.

 

[zigzag3143]

If you already have the files and folders all you need do is to create an image. What exactly are you trying to do and why?

 

[crosuperman]

.

I have no that files, I would create installation but I didn't know how to do it. What files need for installation, in which folders put that files...? I need full description of that process, on the end all that looks like on picture I posted; ready to create image.

 

[gregrocker]

Are you trying to reinstall retail Win7 or Factory OEM? Do you have a Product key which came in the package or is affixed to the machine? This is needed for reinstall.

Either way the steps are pretty much the same in this tutorial which shows you how to get a perfect reinstall and contains everything you need to know: Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

 

[crosuperman]

I see you didn't understand what I exactly need. I will try clearly explain what I need.
There's many tutorials on Internet like: how to make ISO (Image) for Win 7, how to install Win 7... I know how to do it, but I don't know how to prepare all files for creating ISO (Image). Which files need, in which folder put that files...? On the end all that looks like on picture I posted in my first post. I need tutorial how to do that.

For example:

1. First you need create folder XXX (name of folder). Add file XY (name of file) in folder XXX. That file you can download from www. site . com (name of site).
2. Create folder YYY (name of folder). Add file XYZ (name of file) in folder YYY.
... ...
Now you prepared all files and folders and you are ready for create ISO (Image) for Windows 7.


I hope you understand it now what I need. I need tutorial.

 

[gregrocker]

There is no reason to compile an ISO from files which is a lot of unnecessary trouble, because the ISO image file is already created for you and easily downloaded from the web. You only need to download it to burn to DVD or write to flash stick.

Are you trying to customize your Win7 installer ISO, as there are programs to help you do this?

What exactly do you need the ISO file for? If you would have answered this question earlier I might have already provided it for you.

 

[SIW2]

You probably could do it using your installed version of windows 7.

It would be a very long job.

Windows 7 iso files are available on the internet, I have heard.

I see you didn't understand what I exactly need. I will try clearly explain what I need.
There's many tutorials on Internet like: how to make ISO (Image) for Win 7, how to install Win 7... I know how to do it, but I don't know how to prepare all files for creating ISO (Image). Which files need, in which folder put that files...? On the end all that looks like on picture I posted in my first post. I need tutorial how to do that.

For example:

1. First you need create folder XXX (name of folder). Add file XY (name of file) in folder XXX. That file you can download from www. site . com (name of site).
2. Create folder YYY (name of folder). Add file XYZ (name of file) in folder YYY.
... ...
Now you prepared all files and folders and you are ready for create ISO (Image) for Windows 7.


I hope you understand it now what I need. I need tutorial.

 

[crosuperman]

SIW2 got my point. I need all files from ISO. Look at picture in my first post. It's installation folders from ISO: boot, efi, sources, support, upgrade... Is there any site on Internet to download these files? Which file add to which folder?

 

[gregrocker]

Those folders are what's extracted from the ISO image file. There is no reason to mess with the files unless you have a specific reason you want the files. The ISO image is what is used to burn to DVD or write to flash stick.

Is there some reason why you cannot tell us what you need this for? Do you not want to hear the actual way these things are done?

 

[SIW2]

Hi Crosuperman,

You know you can download the entire iso already made from several places on the internet?

If you know that - yet you still want to build your own for the challenge - it should be possible .

The directory structure you need is already in winre.wim.

That is usually on your windows partition in a folder called Recovery\{somelongnumber}\winre.wim.

You would need to extract that to a folder on your drive (you can do that with 7-zip ) then add Install.wim to the "sources" folder.

If you like, you could change system32/winpeshl.ini from:

[LaunchApp]
AppPath=X:\sources\recovery\recenv.exe

to:

[LaunchApp]
AppPath=X:\setup.exe

Or, you can leave it pointing recenv.exe, and just use the command prompt to navigate to setup.exe if you want to reinstall.

You will need to make your own Install.wim.

That is not difficult.

Boot into windows 7, and run this command:

View attachment runsysprep.zip

After it has done that, the machine will shutdown.

You then need to use another operating system - or boot the windows 7 repair cd and capture your windows drive into a .wim file - call it install.wim and save it into the "sources" folder.

It is probably easier if you have put GImageX - AutoItScriptor some other wim capture tool into whatever o/s or boot media you are going to use to do that.

Next, you need to create an ISO.

You can boot back into windows 7 to do this - ( because it has been sysprepped- it will set itself up again - you enter a new user name - so you will have 2 admin accounts - you can just delete one later if you like.)

You can use any number of apps to make a bootable iso.

NOTE - you will have captured your current windows 7 installation - with all the updates and programs.

It will be very big.

You will have trouble fitting it on a dvd.

You may need to split it.

There is some difficulty with making a bootable iso that size - from memory, I think you need to specify the file layout if it is over 4gb:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc749036(v=ws.10).aspx

 

[SIW2]

Does that make any sense?

I have made my own versions - but I haven't done it exactly as described above.

I may give it a go now.

I might try it with Vista because I have just captured a sysprepped install.wim of that.

 

[AddRAM]

If you download the iso and open it up, it will look exactly like your pic. You don`t create the files and folders, Microsoft does. As everyone has ask what are you trying to do ?

 

[SIW2]

I think he is doing it for fun and as a learning experience.

What is wrong with that?

 

[profdlp]

Nothing "wrong" with that at all. Of course, he could tell us and then people wouldn't have to guess.

Knowing "why" someone wants to do something usually makes it easier to better advise them as to "how" to do it.

 

[crosuperman]

First, thank you all for you advices and suggestions.
Second, I still use Windows XP and I'm satisfied with it for now. I plan to change from XP to Win 7 maybe next year, not yet.
I remember I found a few yeras ago on Internet site where located all files (with option for download each of them) which included in installation folders for OS XP, Vista (maybe Win 7). Now i forget what's the site. I'm sure there is some site on Internet like that.
I know I can download complete ISO, extract it and then have all files, but i think there's site with individual files from ISO with download option. If somebody know that site let me know.

Thank you.

 

[gregrocker]

When you're ready to migrate to Win7 on the XP machine, buy an Upgrade version which will include the disk. Clean Install Windows 7