Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create

How to Create a Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc​

Introduction

For Windows users who installed or upgraded Windows Vista, there is one big difference that will be immediately noticed when installing or upgrading to Windows 7: The Windows 7 installation wizard no longer prompts, or asks, for the user to select which edition of the operating system to install. Instead, each Windows 7 DVD disc will automatically install the specific edition which it’s limited to. So a Windows 7 Home Premium disc will only install Windows 7 HP, a Pro disc will only install Pro, etc.

Although Microsoft does not provide any such universal Windows 7 installation media, the function is indeed feasible. (see Screenshot below) A disc such as this can be especially helpful to PC technicians, IT staff, and the like who need to reinstall Win7 frequently. Remember you will still need a valid license key specific to the version you are installing. In addition, Microsoft has eliminated the differences between the retail and OEM install discs with Windows 7, so this disc can be used to reinstall Win7 on PC’s where the owner has lost, or is unable to find, the OEM restore discs. In order to create such a disc; just delete and remove the ei.cfg from any Windows 7 ISO to convert that image into a universal disc for all editions of Windows 7.






STAGE 1 UNIVERSAL DVD - ALL 32 OR 64 BIT ON 1 DVD

For any user who has the Windows 7 install DVD or ISO and wishes to make a universal installer disc now there is an easier way to modify the ISO. Normally this was accomplished by manually unpacking and extracting the contents of the ISO image (or copying files from DVD to HDD), deleting the ei.cfg and then repacking the installation files back into an ISO to burn. Users can now eliminate these tedious procedures by making use of the “ei.cfg Removal Utility”.

The ei.cfg Removal Utility is a simple tool that will disable the ei.cfg from any Windows 7 ISO disc image, thereby converting the image into a “universal disc” that will prompt the user to select their preferred edition during setup. The ei.cfg Removal Utility works directly to patch the ISO image, by toggling the deletion bit in the UDF file table to instruct the operating system to ignore and remove ei.cfg, or treat it as if it does not exist. Best of all, the ei.cfg Removal Utility can reverse the patching to restore the ISO disc image to its original state when the tool is been used to apply on a disc image that previously been patched by the utility.

The ei.cfg Removal Utility is a standalone portable app, and requires no installation. In fact, the program does not have much of a user interface at all. Simply selecting the target Windows 7 ISO, and the disc image (ISO) will be patched right away. So make sure a backup copy of your ISO is created beforehand.

Download the ei.cfg Removal Utility here:eicfg_removal_utility.zip


STAGE 2 UNIVERSAL DVD - ALL 32 AND ALL 64 BIT ON 1 DVD

I was amazed at how easy it is to merge Win7 x86 and Win7 x64 editions (DVDs) in a single DVD or 4GB USB. The process is pretty simple, you need a copy of both any 32 bit and any 64 bit Windows 7 install DVD or ISO. Either copy the DVD's contents to a folder on a HDD, or extract the ISO's contents to a folder. Run 4 commands from the prompt, then create and burn your new Universal install DVD/USB.


Requirements:

1. WAIK (Windows Automation Installation Kit) Download WAIK
2. Windows Win7 x86 and Windows Win7 x64 DVDs.
3. An application that can extract the files from an ISO (if using a downloaded ISO). I use WinRAR, but many apps can do this extraction.
4. An application that allows you to build a new iso or create a bootable DVD/USB. I use UltraISO for this.
5. Single Layer DVD, compatible DVD Burner and, of course DVD burning software… or a 4GB USB flash drive.

We will merge the four Windows 7 x64 editions into the Win7 x86 DVD contents, because Win7 x64 DVD has 64-bit content that can’t run some of the Win32 installation components.


Getting Started


1. Install WAIK in your Windows (doesn’t matter you are running Win7 or Windows XP)

2. Make two folders, in my examples I use Win7_64 and Win7_32. Now copy both Windows 7 x64 and x86 DVDs contents into their respective folders. Or extract your downloaded ISO’s into their respective folder.

   Note

If copying files over from a DVD to the above folders, you actually only need the Sources\install.wim file from the Windows 7 x64 DVD.

3. Run WAIK command prompt (Run as Administrator if UAC enabled):
Start à All Programs àWindows AIK àWindows AIK and PE Command Prompt

4. Each and every Win7 edition has an index no. in the install.wim (WIM file), you can check using the following command:

Imagex/info G:\Win7_32\Sources\install.wim

   Note

Where G:\Win7_32 represents the location of your 32 bit DVD files

The results will look something like above.
This shows that INDEX=1 denotes Windows 7 Starter and so on… (you may have to scroll down to observe these entries)

5. We will use the Imagex /export command to move our x64 WIM entries into the x86 wim file.

   Note

The syntax for this command is:

   Note

imagex /export src_file src_number src_name dest_file dest_name

Now execute the following commands with appropriate INDEX no. to export a copy of the specified image to the Windows 7 32bit (x86) WIM file.

For Win7 Home Basic x64:

Imagex/export G:\Win7_64\Sources\install.wim 1 G:\Win7_32\Sources\install.wim "Windows 7 Home Basic (x64)"

For Win7 Home Premium x64:

Imagex/export G:\Win7_64\Sources\install.wim 2 G:\Win7_32\Sources\install.wim "Windows 7 Home Premium (x64)"

For Win7 Professional x64:

Imagex/export G:\Win7_64\Sources\install.wim 3 G:\Win7_32\Sources\install.wim "Windows 7 Professional (x64)"

For Win7 Ultimate x64:

Imagex /export G:\Win7_64\Sources\install.wim 4 G:\Win7_32\Sources\install.wim "Windows 7 Ultimate (x64)"

6. After execution of above commands Win7_32's WIM file will be the universal WIM file that contains all version of Win7. You can export only desired versions into the image. For example you could make a Win7 DVD, which includes Win7 Ultimate x86 and x64 version only.

7. Now to make bootable DVD image...

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc
• How to Create a Windows 7 Installation USB Key
• How to Install Windows 7 from USB Pen Drive Using Grub4Dos
• How to Slipstream Windows 7 SP1 and Updates to Create a Bootable USB, Installation DVD, or ISO File

 

[enthalpie]

does'nt work

Hi
i have copy all files and directories from my W7 DVD on my HDD
change the install.wim as we said
rename the ei.cfg file but when i boot on my new DVD i still have only one menu , the standard install menu from the original DVD

?? regards

 

[enthalpie]

 ----------------
Path:        c:\W7_sources\ISO_W7\sources\install.wim
GUID:        {65caf905-5e50-4a42-900b-5e14084871e9}
Image Count: 7
Compression: LZX
Part Number: 1/1
Attributes:  0x8
             Relative path junction


Available Image Choices:
------------------------
<WIM>
  <TOTALBYTES>2960032869</TOTALBYTES>
  <IMAGE INDEX="1">
    <DIRCOUNT>13365</DIRCOUNT>
    <FILECOUNT>64285</FILECOUNT>
    <TOTALBYTES>11710161360</TOTALBYTES>
    <CREATIONTIME>
      <HIGHPART>0x01CB8936</HIGHPART>
      <LOWPART>0x131F339A</LOWPART>
    </CREATIONTIME>
    <LASTMODIFICATIONTIME>
      <HIGHPART>0x01CBF8F0</HIGHPART>
      <LOWPART>0x0027D0DC</LOWPART>
    </LASTMODIFICATIONTIME>
    <WINDOWS>
      <ARCH>9</ARCH>
      <PRODUCTNAME>Microsoft® Windows® Operating System</PRODUCTNAME>
      <EDITIONID>HomeBasic</EDITIONID>
      <INSTALLATIONTYPE>Client</INSTALLATIONTYPE>
      <HAL>acpiapic</HAL>
      <PRODUCTTYPE>WinNT</PRODUCTTYPE>
      <PRODUCTSUITE>Terminal Server</PRODUCTSUITE>
      <LANGUAGES>
        <LANGUAGE>en-US</LANGUAGE>
        <DEFAULT>en-US</DEFAULT>
      </LANGUAGES>
      <VERSION>
        <MAJOR>6</MAJOR>
        <MINOR>1</MINOR>
        <BUILD>7601</BUILD>
        <SPBUILD>17514</SPBUILD>
        <SPLEVEL>1</SPLEVEL>
      </VERSION>
      <SYSTEMROOT>WINDOWS</SYSTEMROOT>
    </WINDOWS>
    <NAME>Windows 7 HOMEBASIC</NAME>
    <DESCRIPTION>Windows 7 HOMEBASIC</DESCRIPTION>
    <FLAGS>HomeBasic</FLAGS>
    <HARDLINKBYTES>4497873056</HARDLINKBYTES>
    <DISPLAYNAME>Windows 7 Home Basic</DISPLAYNAME>
    <DISPLAYDESCRIPTION>Windows 7 Home Basic</DISPLAYDESCRIPTION>
  </IMAGE>
  <IMAGE INDEX="2">
    <DIRCOUNT>13614</DIRCOUNT>
    <FILECOUNT>65339</FILECOUNT>
    <TOTALBYTES>12222587449</TOTALBYTES>
    <CREATIONTIME>
      <HIGHPART>0x01CB8936</HIGHPART>
      <LOWPART>0x131F339A</LOWPART>
    </CREATIONTIME>
    <LASTMODIFICATIONTIME>
      <HIGHPART>0x01CBF8F0</HIGHPART>
      <LOWPART>0x236D21C7</LOWPART>
    </LASTMODIFICATIONTIME>
    <WINDOWS>
      <ARCH>9</ARCH>
      <PRODUCTNAME>Microsoft® Windows® Operating System</PRODUCTNAME>
      <EDITIONID>HomePremium</EDITIONID>
      <INSTALLATIONTYPE>Client</INSTALLATIONTYPE>
      <HAL>acpiapic</HAL>
      <PRODUCTTYPE>WinNT</PRODUCTTYPE>
      <PRODUCTSUITE>Terminal Server</PRODUCTSUITE>
      <LANGUAGES>
        <LANGUAGE>en-US</LANGUAGE>
        <DEFAULT>en-US</DEFAULT>
      </LANGUAGES>
      <VERSION>
        <MAJOR>6</MAJOR>
        <MINOR>1</MINOR>
        <BUILD>7601</BUILD>
        <SPBUILD>17514</SPBUILD>
        <SPLEVEL>1</SPLEVEL>
      </VERSION>
      <SYSTEMROOT>WINDOWS</SYSTEMROOT>
    </WINDOWS>
    <NAME>Windows 7 HOMEPREMIUM</NAME>
    <DESCRIPTION>Windows 7 HOMEPREMIUM</DESCRIPTION>
    <FLAGS>HomePremium</FLAGS>
    <HARDLINKBYTES>4912986404</HARDLINKBYTES>
    <DISPLAYNAME>Windows 7 Home Premium</DISPLAYNAME>
    <DISPLAYDESCRIPTION>Windows 7 Home Premium</DISPLAYDESCRIPTION>
  </IMAGE>
  <IMAGE INDEX="3">
    <DIRCOUNT>13701</DIRCOUNT>
    <FILECOUNT>65851</FILECOUNT>
    <TOTALBYTES>12122886417</TOTALBYTES>
    <CREATIONTIME>
      <HIGHPART>0x01CB8936</HIGHPART>
      <LOWPART>0x131F339A</LOWPART>
    </CREATIONTIME>
    <LASTMODIFICATIONTIME>
      <HIGHPART>0x01CBF8F0</HIGHPART>
      <LOWPART>0x47C4A445</LOWPART>
    </LASTMODIFICATIONTIME>
    <WINDOWS>
      <ARCH>9</ARCH>
      <PRODUCTNAME>Microsoft® Windows® Operating System</PRODUCTNAME>
      <EDITIONID>Professional</EDITIONID>
      <INSTALLATIONTYPE>Client</INSTALLATIONTYPE>
      <HAL>acpiapic</HAL>
      <PRODUCTTYPE>WinNT</PRODUCTTYPE>
      <PRODUCTSUITE>Terminal Server</PRODUCTSUITE>
      <LANGUAGES>
        <LANGUAGE>en-US</LANGUAGE>
        <DEFAULT>en-US</DEFAULT>
      </LANGUAGES>
      <VERSION>
        <MAJOR>6</MAJOR>
        <MINOR>1</MINOR>
        <BUILD>7601</BUILD>
        <SPBUILD>17514</SPBUILD>
        <SPLEVEL>1</SPLEVEL>
      </VERSION>
      <SYSTEMROOT>WINDOWS</SYSTEMROOT>
    </WINDOWS>
    <NAME>Windows 7 PROFESSIONAL</NAME>
    <DESCRIPTION>Windows 7 PROFESSIONAL</DESCRIPTION>
    <FLAGS>Professional</FLAGS>
    <HARDLINKBYTES>4786527097</HARDLINKBYTES>
    <DISPLAYNAME>Windows 7 Professional</DISPLAYNAME>
    <DISPLAYDESCRIPTION>Windows 7 Professional</DISPLAYDESCRIPTION>
  </IMAGE>
  <IMAGE INDEX="4">
    <DIRCOUNT>13737</DIRCOUNT>
    <FILECOUNT>66029</FILECOUNT>
    <TOTALBYTES>12285492779</TOTALBYTES>
    <CREATIONTIME>
      <HIGHPART>0x01CB8936</HIGHPART>
      <LOWPART>0x131F339A</LOWPART>
    </CREATIONTIME>
    <LASTMODIFICATIONTIME>
      <HIGHPART>0x01CBF8F0</HIGHPART>
      <LOWPART>0x6D7F6938</LOWPART>
    </LASTMODIFICATIONTIME>
    <WINDOWS>
      <ARCH>9</ARCH>
      <PRODUCTNAME>Microsoft® Windows® Operating System</PRODUCTNAME>
      <EDITIONID>Ultimate</EDITIONID>
      <INSTALLATIONTYPE>Client</INSTALLATIONTYPE>
      <HAL>acpiapic</HAL>
      <PRODUCTTYPE>WinNT</PRODUCTTYPE>
      <PRODUCTSUITE>Terminal Server</PRODUCTSUITE>
      <LANGUAGES>
        <LANGUAGE>en-US</LANGUAGE>
        <DEFAULT>en-US</DEFAULT>
      </LANGUAGES>
      <VERSION>
        <MAJOR>6</MAJOR>
        <MINOR>1</MINOR>
        <BUILD>7601</BUILD>
        <SPBUILD>17514</SPBUILD>
        <SPLEVEL>1</SPLEVEL>
      </VERSION>
      <SYSTEMROOT>WINDOWS</SYSTEMROOT>
    </WINDOWS>
    <NAME>Windows 7 ULTIMATE</NAME>
    <DESCRIPTION>Windows 7 ULTIMATE</DESCRIPTION>
    <FLAGS>Ultimate</FLAGS>
    <HARDLINKBYTES>4947144081</HARDLINKBYTES>
    <DISPLAYNAME>Windows 7 Ultimate</DISPLAYNAME>
    <DISPLAYDESCRIPTION>Windows 7 Ultimate</DISPLAYDESCRIPTION>
  </IMAGE>
  <IMAGE INDEX="5">
    <DIRCOUNT>13365</DIRCOUNT>
    <FILECOUNT>64285</FILECOUNT>
    <TOTALBYTES>11710161360</TOTALBYTES>
    <CREATIONTIME>
      <HIGHPART>0x01CB8936</HIGHPART>
      <LOWPART>0x131F339A</LOWPART>
    </CREATIONTIME>
    <LASTMODIFICATIONTIME>
      <HIGHPART>0x01D0BCC7</HIGHPART>
      <LOWPART>0x9A2D4342</LOWPART>
    </LASTMODIFICATIONTIME>
    <WINDOWS>
      <ARCH>9</ARCH>
      <PRODUCTNAME>Microsoft® Windows® Operating System</PRODUCTNAME>
      <EDITIONID>HomeBasic</EDITIONID>
      <INSTALLATIONTYPE>Client</INSTALLATIONTYPE>
      <HAL>acpiapic</HAL>
      <PRODUCTTYPE>WinNT</PRODUCTTYPE>
      <PRODUCTSUITE>Terminal Server</PRODUCTSUITE>
      <LANGUAGES>
        <LANGUAGE>en-US</LANGUAGE>
        <DEFAULT>en-US</DEFAULT>
      </LANGUAGES>
      <VERSION>
        <MAJOR>6</MAJOR>
        <MINOR>1</MINOR>
        <BUILD>7601</BUILD>
        <SPBUILD>17514</SPBUILD>
        <SPLEVEL>1</SPLEVEL>
      </VERSION>
      <SYSTEMROOT>WINDOWS</SYSTEMROOT>
    </WINDOWS>
    <NAME>windows home basic (x64)</NAME>
    <DESCRIPTION>Windows 7 HOMEBASIC</DESCRIPTION>
    <FLAGS>HomeBasic</FLAGS>
    <HARDLINKBYTES>4497873056</HARDLINKBYTES>
    <DISPLAYNAME>Windows 7 Home Basic</DISPLAYNAME>
    <DISPLAYDESCRIPTION>Windows 7 Home Basic</DISPLAYDESCRIPTION>
  </IMAGE>
  <IMAGE INDEX="6">
    <DIRCOUNT>13701</DIRCOUNT>
    <FILECOUNT>65851</FILECOUNT>
    <TOTALBYTES>12122886417</TOTALBYTES>
    <CREATIONTIME>
      <HIGHPART>0x01CB8936</HIGHPART>
      <LOWPART>0x131F339A</LOWPART>
    </CREATIONTIME>
    <LASTMODIFICATIONTIME>
      <HIGHPART>0x01D0BCC7</HIGHPART>
      <LOWPART>0xAD3F6994</LOWPART>
    </LASTMODIFICATIONTIME>
    <WINDOWS>
      <ARCH>9</ARCH>
      <PRODUCTNAME>Microsoft® Windows® Operating System</PRODUCTNAME>
      <EDITIONID>Professional</EDITIONID>
      <INSTALLATIONTYPE>Client</INSTALLATIONTYPE>
      <HAL>acpiapic</HAL>
      <PRODUCTTYPE>WinNT</PRODUCTTYPE>
      <PRODUCTSUITE>Terminal Server</PRODUCTSUITE>
      <LANGUAGES>
        <LANGUAGE>en-US</LANGUAGE>
        <DEFAULT>en-US</DEFAULT>
      </LANGUAGES>
      <VERSION>
        <MAJOR>6</MAJOR>
        <MINOR>1</MINOR>
        <BUILD>7601</BUILD>
        <SPBUILD>17514</SPBUILD>
        <SPLEVEL>1</SPLEVEL>
      </VERSION>
      <SYSTEMROOT>WINDOWS</SYSTEMROOT>
    </WINDOWS>
    <NAME>windows home Professional (x64)</NAME>
    <DESCRIPTION>Windows 7 PROFESSIONAL</DESCRIPTION>
    <FLAGS>Professional</FLAGS>
    <HARDLINKBYTES>4786527097</HARDLINKBYTES>
    <DISPLAYNAME>Windows 7 Professional</DISPLAYNAME>
    <DISPLAYDESCRIPTION>Windows 7 Professional</DISPLAYDESCRIPTION>
  </IMAGE>
  <IMAGE INDEX="7">
    <DIRCOUNT>13614</DIRCOUNT>
    <FILECOUNT>65339</FILECOUNT>
    <TOTALBYTES>12222587449</TOTALBYTES>
    <CREATIONTIME>
      <HIGHPART>0x01CB8936</HIGHPART>
      <LOWPART>0x131F339A</LOWPART>
    </CREATIONTIME>
    <LASTMODIFICATIONTIME>
      <HIGHPART>0x01D0BCC7</HIGHPART>
      <LOWPART>0xD32833D1</LOWPART>
    </LASTMODIFICATIONTIME>
    <WINDOWS>
      <ARCH>9</ARCH>
      <PRODUCTNAME>Microsoft® Windows® Operating System</PRODUCTNAME>
      <EDITIONID>HomePremium</EDITIONID>
      <INSTALLATIONTYPE>Client</INSTALLATIONTYPE>
      <HAL>acpiapic</HAL>
      <PRODUCTTYPE>WinNT</PRODUCTTYPE>
      <PRODUCTSUITE>Terminal Server</PRODUCTSUITE>
      <LANGUAGES>
        <LANGUAGE>en-US</LANGUAGE>
        <DEFAULT>en-US</DEFAULT>
      </LANGUAGES>
      <VERSION>
        <MAJOR>6</MAJOR>
        <MINOR>1</MINOR>
        <BUILD>7601</BUILD>
        <SPBUILD>17514</SPBUILD>
        <SPLEVEL>1</SPLEVEL>
      </VERSION>
      <SYSTEMROOT>WINDOWS</SYSTEMROOT>
    </WINDOWS>
    <NAME>windows home Premium (x64)</NAME>
    <DESCRIPTION>Windows 7 HOMEPREMIUM</DESCRIPTION>
    <FLAGS>HomePremium</FLAGS>
    <HARDLINKBYTES>4912986404</HARDLINKBYTES>
    <DISPLAYNAME>Windows 7 Home Premium</DISPLAYNAME>
    <DISPLAYDESCRIPTION>Windows 7 Home Premium</DISPLAYDESCRIPTION>
  </IMAGE>
</WIM>




C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\PETools>

 

[enthalpie]

funny

Hi
I saw the file install.wim as allready the options for the différentes versions of W7 before i made my changes, but i have only one choice in the first menu " install"

regards

 

[AddRAM]

Did you follow the tutorial step by step ?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/85813-windows-7-universal-installation-disc-create.html

 

[enthalpie]

as i know and as i well understand yes ??
I did'nt create a dvd image but copy files on dvd is that the problem ?

 

[enthalpie]

please look at the files in the DVD

 

[AddRAM]

You can`t just copy them.

Use imageburn to create an iso file from your dvd, then go from there.

The Official ImgBurn Website

 

[enthalpie]

NO NEVER imgburn is a bulls... which install a lot of malware, adware !!!!
do you mean i need to have a iso DVD to work ? i did'nt read this

 

[enthalpie]

Hi
I have made and DVD with ISO and cdburnerXP but i still only get the old menu with one option

 

[enthalpie]

and as i said in the first post i am surprising because the install.wim allready contain the 4 entries for the for W7 64 bytes versions ; so ... i should do something more to get starting menu with options

 

[enthalpie]

I tried on remove ie.cfg with the utility and after make and ISO DVD , but again i got the oiginal starting menu. i ma sure the setup.exe is bad

 

[MDRI]

Windows 7 Direct Download Links no more available?

Good to see your Tutorial. I have Lenovo Z580 that is not bootable (big story). It has OEM installed Windows 7 Home premium, 64 bit. The OneKey recovery is also not working.

I am looking for clean install. I have the product key in laptop sticker.

I tried the link of this tutorial. It goes to HeiDoc.net - The Technology Treasure Chest. It says

Windows 7 used to be available for public download on servers owned by Digital River, Microsoft's service provider for e-commerce. As of February 2015, these downloads have been pulled. "Free" access to the OS disk images is somewhat limited now, but a few options remain.

Microsoft allow only for Retail costomer KEY not allowing OEM KEYs.

Where can I go to get windows 7 ISO?

If you update the url/link in this tutorial, it will help others.

Thanks for sharing

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hmm I think I have been hacked by Microsoft as I saved three ISO's when they were still available from Heidoc without that Amazon crap and now they have disappeared form my machine.

Sounds like I should never have mentioned having them elsewhere in this forum am pretty damn mad about this behaviour as I only use the ISO's at my partners address the original OEM's I keep at my place
Edit in thinking about it it is pretty weak on their part if it was them and Linux is looking better and better.

 

[Golden]

You probably deleted them John.....these things don't dissappear by themselves. You had backups of these right?

 

[derekimo]

Hmm I think I have been hacked by Microsoft

I think they have better things to do actually.

Sounds like I should never have mentioned having them elsewhere in this forum

Not sure what you're implying there?

I only use the ISO's at my partners address

Sounds like a better avenue to start looking at what happened to them.

 

[essenbe]

John, I have over 200GB of ISO files and they have not been bothered. I doubt Microsoft is responsible for your missing files.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yep ok point taken

 

[ThrashZone]

You can use this tool to remove it from the ISO,

winisoutils - Windows ISO Disc Image Utilities

Which I think is how ESL did his.

Pretty old post but does this still work as easy as it states
I've seen SIW2 I believe post this recently not sure where though :/
I got a 7 64 home premium iso from M$'s site I need a 64 bit pro universal would be an added bonus

 

[Brds7t7]

Hey thrash, you mean ei.cfg removal utility?
Still works okay, I just used it last month.

 

[ThrashZone]

I haven't gotten the which os version to install yet when is that supposed to popup after expanding windows files.... ?