ESD folder on disk C

Hello!
I am new here so please excuse me if this is already answered.
I am succesfuly upgraded Windows 8.1 Pro 64 bit to Windows 10 Pro 64 bit via Microsoft Free Upgrade offer.
Everything works fine, so there is no problem

My question is:

After upgrading to W10 there is on disk C folder named ESD with subfolder named Windows(just Windows, without version number) - its about 3.4 GB
Content of this subfolder(Windows) is:

Folders:

boot
efi
sources
support

and files:

autorun.inf
bootmgr
bootmgr.efi
setup.exe

It looks like a files and folders on bootable USB or DVD

For what is this usable and how to use this?

Thanks for answers

glock356 said:

Hello!
I am new here so please excuse me if this is already answered.
I am succesfuly upgraded Windows 8.1 Pro 64 bit to Windows 10 Pro 64 bit via Microsoft Free Upgrade offer.
Everything works fine, so there is no problem

My question is:

After upgrading to W10 there is on disk C folder named ESD with subfolder named Windows(just Windows, without version number) - its about 3.4 GB
Content of this subfolder(Windows) is:

Folders:

boot
efi
sources
support

and files:

autorun.inf
bootmgr
bootmgr.efi
setup.exe

It looks like a files and folders on bootable USB or DVD

For what is this usable and how to use this?

Thanks for answers

Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way
Zippyshare.com - ESD TO ISO.7z

I went from W7 to W10 a year-and-a-half ago. I guess the "Windows ESD installation files" thing has been there the whole time, 3.04 GB. The description for these files says something about "refresh" and "reset."

If I wanted to go back to W7, I could use the W7 system image I created before switching to W10. Also, if I had a problem with W10 I have the installation disk, plus I create a system image every week.

It seems safe to delete this thing, but can anybody tell me under what circumstances these files would be used, and how; would I do something, or the "system?" Thanks.

Thanks, Kyhi.

Kyhi said:

You can make an ISO out of that folder to create a windows setup media iso....

or copy the contents of that folder to a fat32 formatted USB stick to make windows setup media...

Hi, i know this is an old thread, but i had the exact query. I would like some clarification. I have the same folder and structure as the original poster. I would like to make a USB installation media (for fresh Windows 10 installation) out of this. My question is:

1) Can i simply copy the contents of the folder to a USB drive and run the bootsect.exe to make the USB drive bootable?

2) If (1) is possible, then why does this tenforums tutorial create-bootable-iso-windows-10-esd-file exist? How are the processes different?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

CountMike said:

That way you could end up with quite old build, you can download last build directly from MS for free.

Thanks for the quick reply.

Oh, i did the upgrade only 2 days ago. I have this folder. I don't have the luxury of a very fast internet connection (300kBps). So i was eager to back it up ASAP, before windows clears it. Can you help answer my question? What is the difference between just copying that folder to a USB drive and making it bootable vs. doing the things in the ESD-ISO tutorial?