Create Windows 10 ISO image from Existing Installation  

slicendice said:

Go to https://insider.windows.com and join the insider program. Then go download the latest ISO they have released. Install it in a VM or any spare physical computer using either the ISO file or by creating a bootable thumbdrive explained in the tutorial Create Bootable USB Flash Drive to Install Windows 10 or simply burning the ISO to a DVD and then installing on a physical computer.

Then go to UUP to ISO - Create Bootable ISO from Windows 10 Build Upgrade Files tutorial and follow the instructions to the letter.

I've written a tutorial about this, how to use Hyper-V VM to get latest Windows Insider Fast Ring build ISO: Use Hyper-V virtual machine to get Windows 10 Insider ISO Windows 10 Virtualization Tutorials

Kari said:

I've written a tutorial about this, how to use Hyper-V VM to get latest Windows Insider Fast Ring build ISO: Use Hyper-V virtual machine to get Windows 10 Insider ISO Windows 10 Virtualization Tutorials

Forgot about that one. Thanks for adding this. Great tutorial with all needed links in one place.:)

slicendice said:

1. desktop.ini files are hidden and protected operating system files you should not worry about. They are used to make sure that a folder has correct icon and icon-resolution, among other things.

slicendice said:

2. Those hidden files and folders you are referring to are mostly Operating System files, and you should not tamper with them. Then there are also hidden folders which you should not touch. They are all needed by the system. The Users folder should ALWAYS have the Default and Public user folders. I suggest you follow the tutorial to the letter.

yes, I followed the tutorial to the letter​, I promise.

BUT... I didn't ask if I could delete those files/folders after I boot to desktop as a new User, I know they are important files for the system, I was asking:

why do I have it?

When I install a clean Windows (without running audit/sysprep/etc), and I click on "Show hidden files and folders", I don't have these files and folders. I see the hidden ProgramData, but not the other folders (i.e.: $Recycle.Bin, Documents and Settings, Programs, Recovery, System Volume Information) and files (bootmgr and BOOTNXT) in C:. And, I don't see a desktop.ini in every single folder. And, in Computer>C:>Users I usually see Default and Public folders, but I don't usually see All Users, Default User, defaultuser0, defaultuser0.DESKTOP-*code*, and defaultuser-DESKTOP-*another code*.

Why do I have these things? Is there a way to hide them? I don't want to delete them, just don't see them. In a clean installation of Win I don't have them (or I don't see them, very different), so I was wondering if I could avoid to see them now too.

Maybe is this something related to admin account?

Thanks again for your patience :)

Judoludo said:

yes, I followed the tutorial to the letter​, I promise.

BUT... I didn't ask if I could delete those files/folders after I boot to desktop as a new User, I know they are important files for the system, I was asking:

why do I have it?

When I install a clean Windows (without running audit/sysprep/etc), and I click on "Show hidden files and folders", I don't have these files and folders. I see the hidden ProgramData, but not the other folders (i.e.: $Recycle.Bin, Documents and Settings, Programs, Recovery, System Volume Information) and files (bootmgr and BOOTNXT) in C:. And, I don't see a desktop.ini in every single folder. And, in Computer>C:>Users I usually see Default and Public folders, but I don't usually see All Users, Default User, defaultuser0, defaultuser0.DESKTOP-*code*, and defaultuser-DESKTOP-*another code*.

Why do I have these things? Is there a way to hide them? I don't want to delete them, just don't see them. In a clean installation of Win I don't have them (or I don't see them, very different), so I was wondering if I could avoid to see them now too.

Maybe is this something related to admin account?

Thanks again for your patience :)

Those are protected operating system files, they are there but the default is to hide them when entering the normal desktop mode. If you wanna check all files and folders, even the protected ones, then fire up Explorer and go to View-->Options-->Change folder and search options, then go to the view tab and there untick the "Hide protected operating system files".

Now you can see all files on your system.

Judoludo said:

BUT... I didn't ask if I could delete those files/folders after I boot to desktop as a new User, I know they are important files for the system, I was asking:

[B][I][U]why do I have it?

You have those files and folders because every single Windows installation has them, regardless if installed from official Microsoft install media or self made customized ISO. Windows needs them. By default they are protected and hidden, never shown if the user (you!) has not specifically chosen to show them.

By default, this is the content of C: drive in 64 bit Windows 10 after installation:



The same when user has selected to show hidden files:



And the same when user has also selected to show protected system files and folders:



Those files and folders are shown on your system because you yourself have selected to show them.

Kari

A curious question: In the part four, when the Windows 10 DVD is started and then you press the Shift+F10 sequence to open the Command Prompt, is Windows PE or Windows RE started?

Thanks

Bye