Extract Files from Windows 7 Installation DVD

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    Extract Files from Windows 7 Installation DVD

    Extract Files from Windows 7 Installation DVD

    How to Extract Files from the Windows 7 Installation DVD
    Published by
    Designer Media Ltd


    How to Extract Files from the Windows 7 Installation DVD

       Information
    This will show you how to extract original files from the retail Windows 7 installation DVD. You can then use these extracted files to replace missing or corrupted system files in your current Windows 7 installation.
       Note
    Normally you will find out that you have corrupted system files that cannot be repaired after your run a sfc /scannow command and look at it's log report.
       Tip
    If you do not have a Windows 7 with SP1 installation disc, then you can download the latest official Windows 7 with SP1 ISO file at the link below, then create an installation DVD or USB with it.

    Microsoft: Windows 7 Direct Download Links



    Here's How:
    1. Download and install the same free 32-bit or 64-bit 7-Zip program version as your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7.

    2. Use Compatibiliy Mode on the 7-Zip shortcut and check the Run this program as an administrator box.

    3. Run 7-Zip, then click on Tools and Options on the menu bar. Next, select (highlight) .wim, and click on the plus button for All users, and click on OK. (See screenshots below)
    Extract Files from Windows 7 Installation DVD-7-zip.jpg
    4. Insert your retail Windows 7 installation disc into the DVD drive and wait for it to be recognized.

    5. In 7-Zip, navigate to your DVD drive letter (ex: E: ) that has the Windows 7 installation disc in it, and double click on the Sources folder. (See screenshot below)
    Extract Files from Windows 7 Installation DVD-step2.jpg
    6. Scroll down and double click on the install.wim file. (See screenshot below)
    Extract Files from Windows 7 Installation DVD-step3.jpg
    7. You will now see this for a few seconds as it opens. (See screenshot below)
    Extract Files from Windows 7 Installation DVD-step4.jpg
    8. Each numbered folder is a different edition of Windows 7. They will vary depending on what type of Windows 7 installation DVD you have. To see what edition is for each numbered folder, select the 1.xml file and click on the Extract button on the toolbar. (See screenshots below)
    Extract Files from Windows 7 Installation DVD-step5.jpg

    Extract Files from Windows 7 Installation DVD-step6.jpg
    9. Copy the 1.xml file to your desktop. (See screenshot below)
    Extract Files from Windows 7 Installation DVD-step7.jpg
    10. Open the 1.xml file on the desktop. Look for the <IMAGE INDEX="#"> entry and the <NAME>edition</NAME> entry a bit under it in the code (highlighted in red below) to see what Windows 7 edition is for each numbered folder in step 8. (See code box below with an example 1.xml file)
    NOTE: This file will open in Internet Explorer by default.
    Code:
    - <WIM>
      <TOTALBYTES>2860826557</TOTALBYTES> 
    - <IMAGE INDEX="1">
      <DIRCOUNT>13290</DIRCOUNT> 
      <FILECOUNT>62943</FILECOUNT> 
      <TOTALBYTES>11500789302</TOTALBYTES> 
    - <CREATIONTIME>
      <HIGHPART>0x01CA0446</HIGHPART> 
      <LOWPART>0xE89FF88A</LOWPART> 
      </CREATIONTIME>
    - <LASTMODIFICATIONTIME>
      <HIGHPART>0x01CA045F</HIGHPART> 
      <LOWPART>0x3C8C7A24</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>7600</BUILD> 
      <SPBUILD>16385</SPBUILD> 
      <SPLEVEL>0</SPLEVEL> 
      </VERSION>
      <SYSTEMROOT>WINDOWS</SYSTEMROOT> 
      </WINDOWS>
    <NAME>Windows 7 HOMEBASIC</NAME> 
      <DESCRIPTION>Windows 7 HOMEBASIC</DESCRIPTION> 
      <FLAGS>HomeBasic</FLAGS> 
      <HARDLINKBYTES>4516930990</HARDLINKBYTES> 
      <DISPLAYNAME>Windows 7 Home Basic</DISPLAYNAME> 
      <DISPLAYDESCRIPTION>Windows 7 Home Basic</DISPLAYDESCRIPTION> 
      </IMAGE>
    - <IMAGE INDEX="2">
      <DIRCOUNT>13539</DIRCOUNT> 
      <FILECOUNT>63997</FILECOUNT> 
      <TOTALBYTES>12012660212</TOTALBYTES> 
    - <CREATIONTIME>
      <HIGHPART>0x01CA0446</HIGHPART> 
      <LOWPART>0xE89FF88A</LOWPART> 
      </CREATIONTIME>
    - <LASTMODIFICATIONTIME>
      <HIGHPART>0x01CA045F</HIGHPART> 
      <LOWPART>0x5C029E16</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>7600</BUILD> 
      <SPBUILD>16385</SPBUILD> 
      <SPLEVEL>0</SPLEVEL> 
      </VERSION>
      <SYSTEMROOT>WINDOWS</SYSTEMROOT> 
      </WINDOWS>
      <NAME>Windows 7 HOMEPREMIUM</NAME> 
      <DESCRIPTION>Windows 7 HOMEPREMIUM</DESCRIPTION> 
      <FLAGS>HomePremium</FLAGS> 
      <HARDLINKBYTES>4931998179</HARDLINKBYTES> 
      <DISPLAYNAME>Windows 7 Home Premium</DISPLAYNAME> 
      <DISPLAYDESCRIPTION>Windows 7 Home Premium</DISPLAYDESCRIPTION> 
      </IMAGE>
    - <IMAGE INDEX="3">
      <DIRCOUNT>13625</DIRCOUNT> 
      <FILECOUNT>64487</FILECOUNT> 
      <TOTALBYTES>11910752928</TOTALBYTES> 
    - <CREATIONTIME>
      <HIGHPART>0x01CA0446</HIGHPART> 
      <LOWPART>0xE89FF88A</LOWPART> 
      </CREATIONTIME>
    - <LASTMODIFICATIONTIME>
      <HIGHPART>0x01CA045F</HIGHPART> 
      <LOWPART>0x79D2BCF7</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>7600</BUILD> 
      <SPBUILD>16385</SPBUILD> 
      <SPLEVEL>0</SPLEVEL> 
      </VERSION>
      <SYSTEMROOT>WINDOWS</SYSTEMROOT> 
      </WINDOWS>
      <NAME>Windows 7 PROFESSIONAL</NAME> 
      <DESCRIPTION>Windows 7 PROFESSIONAL</DESCRIPTION> 
      <FLAGS>Professional</FLAGS> 
      <HARDLINKBYTES>4804037542</HARDLINKBYTES> 
      <DISPLAYNAME>Windows 7 Professional</DISPLAYNAME> 
      <DISPLAYDESCRIPTION>Windows 7 Professional</DISPLAYDESCRIPTION> 
      </IMAGE>
    - <IMAGE INDEX="4">
      <DIRCOUNT>13655</DIRCOUNT> 
      <FILECOUNT>64636</FILECOUNT> 
      <TOTALBYTES>12070211908</TOTALBYTES> 
    - <CREATIONTIME>
      <HIGHPART>0x01CA0446</HIGHPART> 
      <LOWPART>0xE89FF88A</LOWPART> 
      </CREATIONTIME>
    - <LASTMODIFICATIONTIME>
      <HIGHPART>0x01CA045F</HIGHPART> 
       <LOWPART>0x97ECC597</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>7600</BUILD> 
      <SPBUILD>16385</SPBUILD> 
      <SPLEVEL>0</SPLEVEL> 
      </VERSION>
      <SYSTEMROOT>WINDOWS</SYSTEMROOT> 
      </WINDOWS>
      <NAME>Windows 7 ULTIMATE</NAME> 
      <DESCRIPTION>Windows 7 ULTIMATE</DESCRIPTION> 
      <FLAGS>Ultimate</FLAGS> 
      <HARDLINKBYTES>4963044302</HARDLINKBYTES> 
      <DISPLAYNAME>Windows 7 Ultimate</DISPLAYNAME> 
      <DISPLAYDESCRIPTION>Windows 7 Ultimate</DISPLAYDESCRIPTION> 
      </IMAGE>
      </WIM>
    11. Now open the numbered folder (step 8) that is the same edition as your currently installed Windows 7 edition, and navigate to the Windows\System32 folder. You can now select and extract the system files that you need to your desktop. (See screenshot below)
    Extract Files from Windows 7 Installation DVD-step8.jpg
    12. Verify that each extracted file is unblocked. You can now use the extracted files to copy and replace your missing or corrupted system files in your currently installed Windows 7.

       Tip
    You will need to take ownership and set permissions to "Allow" your account "Full Control" of the original file in your current installation before you will be allowed to replace it with the extracted copy.

    If the system file is in use and you are unable to replace it with the extracted copy, then:
    • Open a Command Prompt at boot.
    • Do steps 4B to 4D in this tutorial first to verify the drive letter of your Windows 7 drive. It's not always C: at boot.
    • Type in the command below to copy and replace the original file with the extracted replacement file.
    Copy /Y "full path of extracted replacement file" "full path of original Windows 7 system file"

    For example:
    If the extracted replacement uDWM.DLL is on my desktop, then I would use type this in the command prompt at boot and press enter.

    Copy /Y "C:\Users\User-name\Desktop\uDWM.dll" "C:\Windows\System32\uDWM.dll"



    That's it,
    Shawn





  1. Posts : 34
    Windows 7 Ultimate x86
       #1

    U da man

    nah but you're making great tutorials. If I can find the time for it, I'll try to stick around here :)

    +rep
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Thank you Psyko, and welcome to Seven Forums. :)
      My Computer


  3. CEM
    Posts : 5
    Win 7 Ultimate 64
       #3

    Extracting Win 7 files


    Nicely done. Great tut.

    I also now have a great SourceForge app. Sure will come in handy to see and analyze .msi files. Sometimes a single file has to be extracted and I would just reinstall the whole program.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Thank you CEM. What is the SourgeForge app. in case someone would like to use it? :)
      My Computer


  5. CEM
    Posts : 5
    Win 7 Ultimate 64
       #5

    Brink said:
    Thank you CEM. What is the SourgeForge app. in case someone would like to use it? :)
    7-Zip.
    I didn't know about it. Have already used it 3 times to extract some files from msi files.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Oh, LOL

    Yeah, it's very handy app to have. You can get the latest 9.08 alpha build of 7-Zip at this link.

    SourceForge.net: Topic: 7-Zip 9.08 alpha
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 10
    Win 7 x64 Home Premium
       #7

    Thanks, Brink- but what to do if my cpu doesn't support virtualization, & I am running Home edition of win7...

    all the best elisedai
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Elisedai,

    It doesn't matter since you are using the program 7-Zip to view it. This works in all editions of Windows 7. :)
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 6,285
    Windows 10 Pro X64
       #9

    Just wanted to say thank you Brink for another excellent tutorial. Just ran through it and was able to get to a file I wanted to try.

    Interesting, in doing so I found a Windows Mail folder on my Pro X64 CD under the 3. tree.

    H:\sources\install.wim\3\Program Files\Windows Mail\

    I thought there was no mail program in Windows 7????? It's also installed on my system, but when I run WinMail.exe nothing happens. Mystery. I'll take this to one of the forums to pursue.
      My Computer


 
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