best tool for creating Windows iso images

Hi there guys. I'm just after an opinion here. What do you think is the best tool for creating bootable iso files from a windows folder?

It needs to support both uefi as well as legacy bios. Bonus points if it's compatible with Windows xp or older.

People have recommended to me Poweriso Ultraiso and cdimage

Ghot said:

I like AnyBurn.

The Official AnyBurn Website

me too

Mintmag said:

What do you think is the best tool for creating bootable iso files from a windows folder?

Without more explanation on what you want to do...

None, it is impossible to convert a Windows installation to run from a read-only media... It's why Ramdisks are used to boot PE / RE based Windows. OSCDIMG seems to be only able to create boot straps for PE / RE based installation.

But it might be possible to use a WinToGo drive and replace the installation on it.

But still this will never boot if converted to iso.

It also could be possible to use the Unified Write Filter to make the read-only media appear as writable, but the Windows installation would never commit any changes.

MaloK said:

Without more explanation on what you want to do...

None, it is impossible to convert a Windows installation to run from a read-only media... It's why Ramdisks are used to boot PE / RE based Windows. OSCDIMG seems to be only able to create boot straps for PE / RE based installation.

But it might be possible to use a WinToGo drive and replace the installation on it.

But still this will never boot if converted to iso.

It also could be possible to use the Unified Write Filter to make the read-only media appear as writable, but the Windows installation would never commit any changes.

my bad I should be more clear. I'm talking about creating a bootable iso from the folder contents of a Windows folder. I've used imgburn to do it, but it doesn't support uefi, so I need something newer.

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cereberus said:

There is no need for 3rd party tools - use Windows proper deployment tools. See excellent tutorial from @Kari

Create Windows 10 ISO image from Existing Installation

Once you understand it, it is easy to set up a batch file to automate process.

Only minor caveat I add to @Kari's tutorial is I found it can sometimes fall over if using onedrive. I just uninstall onedrive first, use the procedure, then reinstall onedrive afterwards. This does not delete onedrive files online.

The procedure works fine for legacy bios or UEFI.

Thanks for linking that tutorial. It looks very involved though. What is the benefit of using something this involved compared to say oscdimg.exe?

AddRAM said:

Rufus 3.18

Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way

second that, absolutely brilliant little tool.

can be used to download ISO's as well as make them bootable.