Solved install.wim size variation

[johoo]

I recently downloaded the Win7 x64 SP1 (August 2018) from Microsoft because my system could not boot and could not find mine. Recovery went fine, but I had to use USB to hold the .iso because it was >5GB and could not fit on a DVD. My original disc turned up so took a look at the pair to see the reason why <4GB was now >5GB.

One of the reasons is install.wim, it is 3,752,920,957 bytes on the DVD and 5,509,814,771 on the USB.

Does anyone have any idea what could account for almost 2GB of difference in size between OEM release and current download?

 

[SIW2]

(August 2018) is the clue.

You have downloaded the version containing updates till aug 2018. That is why it is bigger than the official last SP1 release.

We don't know why the 2018 version was created, or for whom. It is just a sysprepped version with those updates included - including telemetry. Some of those updates will have been superseded since. It also has only one rearm remaining.

It shouldn't matter - unless you want to do your own sysprepping, which is unlikely judging from your question.

 

[Megahertz07]

For what I know, M$ hasn't released any 2018 version. You have downloaded elsewhere.
As SIW2 has explained, is a M$ SP1 with updates added (sysprepped).

If you wish, we can give you a link to download Win 7 from M$.

 

[Paul Black]

For what I know, M$ hasn't released any 2018 version.

As SIW2 has explained, it is a M$ SP1 with updates added (sysprepped).

You should never trust a modified ISO, you never know what has been added!

 

[Megahertz07]

You should never trust a modified ISO, you never know what has been added!

 

[SIW2]

You should never trust a modified ISO, you never know what has been added!

There is a 2018 version. We don't know why MS made it, or who for.. No real point in getting it. Better to update it yourself. It is just a sysprepped version with updates to aug 2018. No other changes.

MS name:
7601.24214.180801-1700.win7sp1_ldr_escrow_CLIENT_PROFESSIONAL_x64FRE_en-us.iso

 

[Paul Black]

There is a 2018 version. We don't know why MS made it, or who for.. No real point in getting it. Better to update it yourself. It is just a sysprepped version with updates to aug 2018. No other changes.

MS name:
7601.24214.180801-1700.win7sp1_ldr_escrow_CLIENT_PROFESSIONAL_x64FRE_en-us.iso

I would suspect that it includes all the Telemetry updates!

 

[johoo]

> It shouldn't matter

I agree, I was just curious about the near 50% growth in the ISO.

> For what I know, M$ hasn't released any 2018 version. You have downloaded elsewhere.

There is "...an easy and comfortable way to download genuine Windows 7, 8.1 and 10, as well as Office 2007, 2010 and 2011 disk images (ISO) directly from Microsoft's servers" described at Microsoft Windows ISO Download Tool 8.06 Download - TechSpot

Microsoft Windows and Office ISO Download Tool was a whole lot friendlier than Microsoft.

> If you wish, we can give you a link to download Win 7 from M$.

If the link requires a license key then it won't help any because https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7 only lets you download IF you have a key that suits Microsoft. I tried keys from several people at the office, all from PCs purchased by the company, and NONE of the keys were accepted. There were three different rejection reasons:

We encountered a problem with your request. Please visit Microsoft
Support Contact Us page for assistance. Refer to Message Code
715-123130 and Transaction ID xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx.

The product key you entered is invalid or not supported by this site.
Please contact Microsoft Support for assistance.

The product key you entered appears to be for software pre-installed
by the device manufacturer. Please contact the device manufacturer
for software

If you can find the "Microsoft Support Contact Us" page which can assist then I'd be pleased to have it. Google 715-123130 you will find lots of threads by people who could not find a Microsoft answer/explanation.

I wondered if Clean Reinstall Windows 7 - Microsoft Community explained why my key did not work, it says "...the Windows 7 Product Key found by Belarc or another key finder will be an SLP batch key used at factory, if it has not yet been activated from COA sticker Key used for a Clean Reinstall. This SLP batch key cannot be used for reinstall."

> As SIW2 has explained, is a M$ SP1 with updates added (sysprepped).

My Win7 was current and it had not grown by almost 2GB in the last couple of years.

> You should never trust a modified ISO, you never know what has been added!

Microsoft has done 'builds' on ISOs for years, available to those who are in the "Windows Insider Program". Each build includes the latest updates. Those are modified ISOs, and you don't know everything that was added. The program is for developers, so it does not affect users.

If you guys are so sure I have a non-Microsoft ISO and have keys that Microsoftdownload will accept, use https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7 to download what Microsoft is distributing and do the same again with heidoc.net and compare.

 

[johoo]

Good to know SIW2, that's the same download that heidocs.net gave me.

I guess that closes this thread out, the ISO is legit and it contains 2GB of updates...

 

[Megahertz07]

Here is a site that explain the telemetry and how to avoid it.
Blocking Telemetry in Windows 7 and 8.1 - gHacks Tech News

Attached is a cmd file to uninstall those KB files.
Rename it as KB_Spy.cmd and run it.