Installing Windows 10 in Multi-OS systems and systems ith multiple HDD

Wobitancrawfodi · 31 Oct 2019

I think I asked this question about a decade ago and IIRC, the answer back then was "You can't".

I manage a dozen systems. I upgrade them once a year to the H2 version of Windows 10 after about 3-4 months testing. Sometimes I just have to reinstall Windows for other reasons, or to get a fresh start. The testing process itself generally results in a dozen or so clean installs.

Every time I install I have to pull apart systems, remove all SSDs (All are M.2 NMVe - and some under the graphics card), and disconnect all HDDs so that Windows will put the boot sector on the same drive. There are also times when the install will crash, tell me "Windows cannot be installed on this hardware" and a multitude of other issues, all of which are mitigated by removing drives.

This is a major PITA. Surely they is a better way?

If I could force Windows to always put the boot sector on the same drive I'm installing to, that'd be a start. Is there a way to do this?

Kyhi · 01 Nov 2019

To clean install a New OS over existing OS -
Re-Format existing OS partition (OS must be offline)
then use DISM to apply New Image from install.wim to that OS Partition
Reboot to finish installation
No Need To Use Setup.exe
No need to remove partitions
No need to remove disks
No need to wait hours

(OS must be offline)

You can use a second booted OS in multi-boot system
Or use some form of Bootable WinPE Media to access the PC offline

NavyLCDR · 01 Nov 2019

Exactly what @Kyhi posted. Apparently, I've given him too much Rep already, because it won't let me on this post.

Wobitancrawfodi · 01 Nov 2019

OMG! I really am getting old :)

I have a base image of every PC (created by Macrium) with the correct drivers and nothing installed. They are stored offsite (and forgotten about). All I need to do is restore that image. The only time I need to recreate the base image is if the hardware changes.

Thank you for the suggestion. I didn't think of that approach. Makes sense. I've made a copy of your suggestions and added them to my tips and tweaks list.

Kyhi · 01 Nov 2019

The only time I need to recreate the base image is if the hardware changes.

Actually Not Really True Anymore - as you can now ReDeploy to New Hardware using Macrium Home (Paid) Edition

Wobitancrawfodi · 01 Nov 2019

Kyhi said:

Actually Not Really True Anymore - as you can now ReDeploy to New Hardware using Macrium Home (Paid) Edition

Even better. I have a 4 PC home license.

Ztruker · 01 Nov 2019

Kyhi said:

To clean install a New OS over existing OS -
Re-Format existing OS partition (OS must be offline)
then use DISM to apply New Image from install.wim to that OS Partition
Reboot to finish installation
No Need To Use Setup.exe
No need to remove partitions
No need to remove disks
No need to wait hours

You can use a second booted OS in multi-boot system
Or use some form of Bootable WinPE Media to access the PC offline

Is there a tutorial for this or at list a written set of instructions?

Do I extract the install.wim then use DISM to install it?

NavyLCDR · 01 Nov 2019

Ztruker said:

Is there a tutorial for this or at list a written set of instructions?

Do I extract the install.wim then use DISM to install it?

Run

dism /apply-image /?

Ztruker · 01 Nov 2019

Okay, so I format the Windows 10 drive I want to reinstall as NTFS (say E:). Quick format will suffice.

If I have a multi ISO then:

DISM.exe /Apply-Image /ImageFile:install.wim /Index:1 /ApplyDir:E:\ would install (apply) Windows 10 Home to E:.

DISM.exe /Apply-Image /ImageFile:install.wim /Index:1 /ApplyDir:E:\ would install (apply) Windows 10 Pro to E:.

I'll give this a try tomorrow.

Kyhi · 02 Nov 2019

it would apply Index 1 to E - But you would have to state install.wim location
and you can verify Index by using
*
I mounted Setup Media ISO and verified Index

Code:

Dism /Get-ImageInfo /imagefile:"I:\sources\install.wim"

Installing Windows 10 in Multi-OS systems and systems ith multiple HDD-image064.jpg

*
then to Apply Home (index 1)

Code:

Dism /Apply-Image /ImageFile:"I:\sources\install.wim" /Index:1 /ApplyDir:E:\