ESD to ISO - Create Bootable ISO from Windows 10 ESD File

SIW2 · 12 Jan 2017

Looks like we are out of luck. All the other files can be found in UUP - either in ISOFOLDER\sources, or in winre.wim\system32. Testplugin.dll seems completely absent from UUP files.It is part of the imagebasedsetup-media package in the real boot.wim.Seems only available from the full ESD dowload.

Simplest alternative is to drop a menu into fake boot.wim\system32, plus a partitioner (bootice or PW etc) and something to apply the image ( dismgui or dism++ etc.)

Kari · 12 Jan 2017

Siw, I have an idea and want to test it. A bit preoccupied now but later today I'll make an ISO from UUP files based on the theory, an idea I have. I upload it later tonight to OneDrive. If you could then download it, check what's if anything is missing.

cereberus · 12 Jan 2017

I tried to use the iso created from install.esd in a hyper-v session as a gen 2 machine, and it would not boot.

I used same iso in a usb drive and it booted fine.

In the end, I had to install 14986 iso (gen 2 in hyper-v) and upgrade that using 15002 iso.

Superfly · 12 Jan 2017

I have a keen interest in this,, my app here: Releases . Superfly-Inc/Windows-ISO-Creator . GitHub hasn't really got off the ground .. so thinking of adding a UUP plugin to it... (btw it uses native API's rather than the pre-compiled (?old) stuff the scripts use ) but it is in dire need of updating.. so will be following developments here to see if I can implement something.

Kari · 12 Jan 2017

@SIW2, if you want to take a UUP ISO apart and check the boot.wim and stuff, here's one I just made and uploaded:
en-gb_windows_10_PRO_15002_x64

ISO was made like this:

Using UUP files (Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download) I created install.wim
Mounted a stock retail Windows 10 PRO version 1607 (build 14393) ISO originating from MSDN, copied its full content to a folder on HDD naming it ISO_Files
Replaced install.wim in ISO_Files\Sources with my UUP install.wim
Wrote iso with OSCDIMG.EXE, boot files were taken from ISO_Files\Boot and ISO_Files\Efi\Microsoft\Boot

OSCDIMG command used:

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:\en-gb_windows_10_PRO_15002_x64.iso

ISO works perfectly, in Hyper-V and when written to USB on physical machine. In Hyper-V tested both Generation 1(MBR) and Generation 2 (GPT).

ESD to ISO - Create Bootable ISO from Windows 10 ESD File-image.png

Kari

SIW2 · 12 Jan 2017

That indicates the 1607 boot.wim works with more recent install.wim. That is a possible workaround.

In future, people may not have that - tf you are correct about the switch to UUP. Though I suppose some kind of iso will be available from MS.

If the purpose is to create fully functional media from only the UUP files ( not dependant on also having regular MS install media ), then what I suggested earlier is one way.

I suspect the simplest solution is to add (to fake boot.wim ) a menu to access some way of partitioning drives and applying the wim

.

Kari · 12 Jan 2017

Microsoft have to release an ISO when Creators Update (version 1703 or 1704, depending on if they postpone it to April) will be released. People buying retail download version need an ISO.

Anyway, I was surprised how perfectly this works. I need to test a bit more then update the UUP to ISO tutorial; this is far better and more reliable method than directly writing an ISO from UUP files.

SIW2 · 12 Jan 2017

Does your hybrid iso work for in place upgrade?

Kari · 12 Jan 2017

Only tested clean installs. Give me some time, I'll import a saved but not in active use W8.1 PRO vm and upgrade it. Doing it now.

Kari · 12 Jan 2017

Seems to be OK:

Of course I can only tell if it really works after upgrade is done. This Hyper-V host is a low end i5 laptop with VMs stored on a 5400 RPM spinner. Upgrade will take an hour, I know it from experience.