Windows 7 - Creating a Universal Installation DVD

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In this tutorial, I show you how to make a Universal Windows 7 DVD. I also show you how to remove images from a WIM file so that way they don't appear during the Windows Setup after making your universal DVD, assuming you don't want it to be so 'universal'.

You will need the following to complete this tutorial:
-Windows AIK http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?familyid=696DD665-9F76-417...
---Without the Windows AIK, you cannot do this tutorial.
---It is an ISO download. You'll need an ISO mounting program or a way to burn it to a DVD to install.
-Windows 7 DVD or ISO (32 bit and 64 bit)
-A program to mount/extract/create ISO's (I use UltraISO)

Commands to know:
imagex /export what # where
imagex /info what
imagex /delete what #

What, being the source.
Where, being the destination.
#, being the image name

Note: Imagex is part of the Windows AIK. It is required.
Note: If you extract the 32 bit images into a 64 bit WIM, that will be an instant failure.

Steps:
-Extract ISO's/Copy DVD's into seperate folders
-Use imagex to export the 64 bit images into the 32 bit WIM files
-Delete the ei.cfg
-(Optional) Remove images we don't want
-Repackage the ISO/Reburn the DVD/Recopy to USB (Not displayed in video)

label91@cox.net

FAQ:

1. I'm getting an access denied error when I try to run imagex /export. What can I do?
A. Simple, make sure you've right clicked the prompt and ran it as administrator. If you have done that, then you may have to re-copy the files. If you extracted them from an ISO, you'll need to mount the ISO with a mounting program (UltraISO) and then copy it from there into another folder. You may have to do this with BOTH DVD ISO's!

If however you copied it straight from the disc, make sure you have placed the files in a spot that Windows will not deem as 'administrative', ie, your desktop.

2. I added in my images and everything with export, but the setup still will not show me a menu with my operating systems.
A. Make sure you deleted the ei.cfg when you repackaged your ISO or reburned your DVD.

3. My disc will not boot! Nothing will install!
A. Make sure you followed exactly what I did: You extract the 64 bit image into the 32 bit image. You cannot do it the other way around, as there are some functions either missing or appended that the 32 bit images cannot understand/use.

4. I want to just be able to install all images just my 64/32 bit disc, can I just remove ei.cfg?
A. Yes.

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[Johnathan10188]

does this work with windows XP and Vista?

[StarCraftSportsNet]

@Johnathan10188 Vista I'm sure it could work. Vista and 7 are built the same in terms of how they install and how their packages are setup. XP, not so much. You'd probably have to go out of your way to build a super disc that asks you what setup you want to enter as you boot it up, kind of like the classic Windows 9x's. I'm not saying it's impossible, just the way XP and Vista/7 do their setup processes are completely different from each other.

[RGorgory]

is there a way to also integrate another language? like spanish into the ISO?

[tucklesepk]

@sremetz You create this in a windows environment. You use what you made here to install into bootcamp.

[sremetz]

does this work with bootcamp?

[tucklesepk]

@BigGuknowme Most OEM systems will have a hidden partition with the windows setup on it to do repair installations. It varies on how to access them.

[BigGuknowme]

Hey I have windows 7, but I need to do a repair or reinstallation of the OS, but I need an installation CD. I don't have the CD as the OS was already installed by the manufacturer, do you have any idea where I can get an installation CD, without having to pay for a whole new windows package?

I have the serial code on the side of my PC

[seeker9969]

HI lewis nice job on the vid :)