best tool for creating Windows iso images

cereberus said:

OP - I do not understand your intent.

You can make an iso of ean existing installation as it has all the files need to boot when iso is installed on a usb drive.

You can make an iso of any folders and files using tool like imgburn but it will not be bootable.

So please explain exactly what you are trying to do?

take a folder from an extracted windows iso with an $OEM$ folder and a modified install.wim file and create a new iso from it. I used to use imgburn for this but since it hasn't been updated in a long time it doesn't support newest uefi configurations. So I'll have to use ultraiso or something. I'm after recommendations on what tool is the best for this kind of job before I spend money. Most people are recommending ultraiso so I will probably go with it. Although the free cmd tool known as oscdimg also comes highly recommended.

cereberus said:

Step 5 in tutorial in my post #9 shows how to use oscdimg.

I regularly create custom install.wim files, and create new iso using oscdimg. After all, it is the official MS Tool for creating isos. Like all things, there is a learning curve but once learnt, you can do a lot of things.

that tutorial was all kinds of unnecessary complication. My maybe it's just over my head. Anyway I found this code on page 5.

Code:

oscdimg.exe -m -o -u2 -udfver102 -bootdata:2#p0,e,bd:\iso_files\boot\etfsboot.com#pEF,e,bd:\iso_files\efi\microsoft\boot\efisys.bin d:\iso_files d:\14986PROx64.iso

This syntax should convert any windows iso directory into a bootable iso right?

The thing is, so there so many ways to create a custom windows installation. Based on the suggestions from a programmer. I installed Windows vanilla into a virtual machined and allowed it up updated. Then, I removed all drivers and set it up how I liked it and then used Macrium reflect create an image based on that setup. I later found that I was indeed able to migrate it to other computers because no drivers were installed ontop of the generic Windows drivers.

cereberus said:

That is syntax I use.


It is not really necessary to sysprep install.wim or boot.wim with w10/11 unlike days of W7 and to lesser degree W8.

What is more important is to have the drivers for new pc available.

W10/W11 are ao much better at driver handling, they rarely pick wrong one. The biggest problem these days are nvme drives - depending on hardware, you may need Intel IRST drivers not in standard iso.

Do you mean pre installing drivers for NVME systems?

Wouldn't the vanilla installation iso pickup on the drivers?

Mintmag said:

Do you mean pre installing drivers for NVME systems?

Wouldn't the vanilla installation iso pickup on the drivers?

Some PCs require the Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver.

cereberus said:

Q1 - Yes
Q2 - No (or at least not all).

Oh is this because it's LTSC and it's updates are more reserved?