CMD file to add a VHD(x) boot object in BCD

Hi,

This CMD File can be used to easily add boot entries for VHD(x) and WIM images. With one command.

abo.cmd:

Code:

@echo off
if "%1"=="" Goto :help
if "%1"=="ramdisk" goto ramdisk
if "%1"=="vhd" goto vhd

:ramdisk
for /f "tokens=2 delims={}" %%g in ('bcdedit.exe /create /d %2 /Device') do (set dvid={%%g})
bcdedit /set %dvid% ramdisksdidevice partition=%3
bcdedit /set %dvid% ramdisksdipath %5
for /f "tokens=2 delims={}" %%g in ('bcdedit.exe /create /d %2 /application osloader') do (set guid={%%g})
bcdedit /set %guid% device ramdisk=[%3]%4,%dvid%
bcdedit /set %guid% osdevice ramdisk=[%3]%4,%dvid%
bcdedit /set %guid% systemroot \windows
bcdedit /set %guid% path \Windows\system32\boot\winload.%6
bcdedit /set %guid% winpe yes
bcdedit /set %guid% detecthal yes
bcdedit /displayorder %guid% /addlast
bcdedit /set {bootmgr} displaybootmenu True
bcdedit /set {bootmgr} timeout 5
goto :Eof

:vhd
for /f "tokens=2 delims={}" %%g in ('bcdedit.exe /create /d %2 /Device') do (set dvid={%%g})
bcdedit /set %dvid% device vhd=[%3]%4
for /f "tokens=2 delims={}" %%g in ('bcdedit.exe /create /d %2 /application osloader') do (set guid={%%g})
bcdedit /set %guid% device vhd=[%3]%4,%dvid%
bcdedit /set %guid% osdevice vhd=[%3]%4,%dvid%
bcdedit /set %guid% systemroot \windows
bcdedit /set %guid% path \Windows\system32\boot\winload.%5
bcdedit /set %guid% winpe no
bcdedit /set %guid% detecthal yes
bcdedit /displayorder %guid% /addlast
bcdedit /set {bootmgr} displaybootmenu True
bcdedit /set {bootmgr} timeout 5
goto :Eof

:help
echo.
echo Usage: abo ramdisk Name Drive: \Path\Boot.wim \Path\Boot.sdi efi/exe
echo Usage: abo vhd Name Drive: \Path\Boot.vhdx efi/exe
echo.

Ex:

Code:

abo ramdisk Reflect8 D: \BootImages\Reflect8\Boot.wim \BootImages\Reflect8\Boot.sdi efi

Will create a EFI Boot entry for Reflect8 Ramdisk

Ex:

Code:

abo vhd Win10Pro D: \Win10Pro.vhdx exe

Will create a MBR Boot entry for Windows10 pro VHD

Limitations:
Does not support "space" in Name.
If there are spaces in paths, they must be "in quotes"

Enjoy !!!

MaloK said:

Hi,

I'm working on a cmd file to add Boot objects in one command, I would like it to support WIM and VHD.

I'm not really familiar with the process of adding VHD boot entry. I and the ones I tried failed to boot, Can someone show how to properly add one ?

This is what I got so far working with WIM images.

abo.cmd:

Code:

@echo off
if "%1"=="" Goto :help

for /f "tokens=2 delims={}" %%g in ('bcdedit.exe /create /d %1 /Device') do (set dvid={%%g})
bcdedit /set %dvid% ramdisksdidevice partition=%2
bcdedit /set %dvid% ramdisksdipath %4
for /f "tokens=2 delims={}" %%g in ('bcdedit.exe /create /d %1 /application osloader') do (set guid={%%g})
bcdedit /set %guid% device ramdisk=[%2]%3,%dvid%
bcdedit /set %guid% osdevice ramdisk=[%2]%3,%dvid%
bcdedit /set %guid% systemroot \windows
bcdedit /set %guid% path \Windows\system32\boot\winload.%5
bcdedit /set %guid% winpe yes
bcdedit /set %guid% detecthal yes
bcdedit /displayorder %guid% /addlast
bcdedit /set {bootmgr} displaybootmenu True
bcdedit /set {bootmgr} timeout 5
goto :Eof

:help
echo.
echo Usage: abo Name Drive: \Path\Boot.wim \Path\Boot.sdi efi/exe
echo.

Ex:

Code:

abo Reflect8 D: \BootImages\Reflect8\Boot.wim \BootImages\Reflect8\Boot.sdi efi

Will create a EFI Boot entry for Reflect8

Limitations:
Does not support "space" in Name.
If there are spaces in paths, they must be "in quotes"

Basically, I would like to add VHD capability to it.

Thanks !!!

One way is create a diskpart text file say diskpart.txt like

Code:

select vdisk file="E:\Hyper-V\Virtual Hard Disks\W11HD.vhdx" 
attach vdisk
select volume n   (where n is volume of windows partition in vhdx file)
assign letter=m  (use a letter not normally used and away from lower letters)

Then in batch file have a command

Code:

diskpart /s diskpart.txt

then add boot entry

Code:

bcdboot m:\windows /d

I actually create the diskpart.txt file from batch file using @echo, and various parameters set up earlier.

In this example extracted from a batch file of mine, I add the commands to create a vhd, select and attach vhd, convert vhd to gpt, create and format a primary partition, format it and add a drive letter.

I later install windows using dism, and add boot entry.

Code:

@echo create vdisk file="%VDRV%:%Hyperfiles%\%vhdname%.vhdx" maximum=%Maxvhdsize% type=expandable > %DRV%:%Updateiso%\diskpart\diskpart.txt
@echo select vdisk file="%VDRV%:%Hyperfiles%\%vhdname%.vhdx" >> "%DRV%:%Updateiso%\diskpart\diskpart.txt"
@echo attach vdisk >> "%DRV%:%Updateiso%\diskpart\diskpart.txt"@echo convert gpt >> "%DRV%:%Updateiso%\diskpart\diskpart.txt"
@echo create partition primary >> "%DRV%:%Updateiso%\diskpart\diskpart.txt"
@echo format fs=ntfs quick label="Windows" >> "%DRV%:%Updateiso%\diskpart\diskpart.txt"@echo assign letter=%VHDdrive% >> "%DRV%:%Updateiso%\diskpart\diskpart.txt"

@jimbo45,

After your Little suggestion and a little more fiddling,

I was able to create a reliable CMD file that is doing it exactly the Microsoft way, in both BIOS and UEFI.

Flat.cmd:

Code:

::###########################################################################
::# Title     : Flat.cmd                                                    #
::# Created By: https://www.tenforums.com/members/malok.html                #
::# Created On: 15-Jun-2022                                                 #
::###########################################################################

@Echo Off
Set "Params=%1"
If "%Params%"=="" Goto :Help

Diskpart /s %~dp0\%3.txt

Dism /Apply-Image /ImageFile:%1 /Index:%2 /ApplyDir:W:\

W:\Windows\System32\bcdboot W:\Windows /s S: /f %3

Md R:\Recovery\WindowsRE
Xcopy /h W:\Windows\System32\Recovery\Winre.wim R:\Recovery\WindowsRE\

W:\Windows\System32\Reagentc /Setreimage /Path R:\Recovery\WindowsRE /Target W:\Windows

W:\Windows\System32\Reagentc /Info /Target W:\Windows

Goto :Eof

:Help
Echo.
Echo ======================== Warning =========================
Echo.
Echo This CMD file is used to Ininitalize / Clean hardisk 0.
Echo Automatically apply a Windows image and Create Boot files.
Echo EFI and MBR txt files should be reviewed and edited if needed.
Echo.
Echo flat {source} {Index#} {bios/uefi}
Echo.
Echo flat e:\Sources\Install.wim 6 uefi
Echo.

UEFI.txt:

Code:

rem == CreatePartitions-UEFI.txt ==
rem == These commands are used with DiskPart to
rem    create four partitions
rem    for a UEFI/GPT-based PC.
rem    Adjust the partition sizes to fill the drive
rem    as necessary. ==
select disk 0
clean
convert gpt

rem == 1. System partition =========================
create partition efi size=100
rem    ** NOTE: For Advanced Format 4Kn drives,
rem               change this value to size = 260 ** 
format quick fs=fat32 label="System"
assign letter="S"

rem == 2. Microsoft Reserved (MSR) partition =======
create partition msr size=16

rem == 3. Windows partition ========================
rem ==    a. Create the Windows partition ==========
create partition primary 

rem ==    b. Create space for the recovery tools ===
rem       ** Update this size to match the size of
rem          the recovery tools (winre.wim)
rem          plus some free space.
shrink minimum=500

rem ==    c. Prepare the Windows partition ========= 
format quick fs=ntfs label="Windows"
assign letter="W"

rem === 4. Recovery partition ======================
create partition primary
format quick fs=ntfs label="Recovery"
assign letter="R"
set id="de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac"
gpt attributes=0x8000000000000001

list volume
exit

BIOS.txt:

Code:

rem == CreatePartitions-BIOS.txt ==
rem == These commands are used with DiskPart to
rem    create three partitions
rem    for a BIOS/MBR-based computer.
rem    Adjust the partition sizes to fill the drive
rem    as necessary. ==
select disk 0
clean

rem == 1. System partition ======================
create partition primary size=100
format quick fs=ntfs label="System"
assign letter="S"
active

rem == 2. Windows partition =====================
rem ==    a. Create the Windows partition =======
create partition primary

rem ==    b. Create space for the recovery tools  
rem       ** Update this size to match the size of
rem          the recovery tools (winre.wim)
rem          plus some free space.
shrink minimum=650

rem ==    c. Prepare the Windows partition ====== 
format quick fs=ntfs label="Windows"
assign letter="W"

rem == 3. Recovery tools partition ==============
create partition primary
format quick fs=ntfs label="Recovery"
assign letter="R"
set id=27

list volume
exit

WARNING

This CMD file Will DELETE ALL PARTITIONS on Drive 0 Without questions. Of course you can edit the configuration txt file to apply to any disk you want, you need Drive letters R, S and W to be free to run the command.

The UEFI File should be modified accordingly if you are using 4Kn Disks.

Transcript of an iteration:

Code:

E:\Flat>flat d:\sources\install.wim 6 uefi

Microsoft DiskPart version 10.0.19041.964

Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation.
On computer: MINWINPC

Disk 0 is now the selected disk.

DiskPart succeeded in cleaning the disk.

DiskPart successfully converted the selected disk to GPT format.

DiskPart succeeded in creating the specified partition.

  100 percent completed

DiskPart successfully formatted the volume.

DiskPart successfully assigned the drive letter or mount point.

DiskPart succeeded in creating the specified partition.

DiskPart succeeded in creating the specified partition.

DiskPart successfully shrunk the volume by:  500 MB

  100 percent completed

DiskPart successfully formatted the volume.

DiskPart successfully assigned the drive letter or mount point.

DiskPart succeeded in creating the specified partition.

  100 percent completed

DiskPart successfully formatted the volume.

DiskPart successfully assigned the drive letter or mount point.

DiskPart successfully set the partition ID.

DiskPart successfully assigned the attributes to the selected GPT partition.

  Volume ###  Ltr  Label        Fs     Type        Size     Status     Info
  ----------  ---  -----------  -----  ----------  -------  ---------  --------
  Volume 0     D   CCCOMA_X64F  UDF    CD-ROM      5611 MB  Healthy
  Volume 1     W   Windows      NTFS   Partition     49 GB  Healthy
  Volume 2     S   SYSTEM       FAT32  Partition    100 MB  Healthy    Hidden
* Volume 3     R   Recovery     NTFS   Partition    500 MB  Healthy    Hidden
  Volume 4     E   CCCOMA_X64F  NTFS   Removable     14 GB  Healthy
  Volume 5     F   UEFI_NTFS    FAT    Removable   1024 KB  Healthy

Leaving DiskPart...

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 10.0.19041.844

Applying image
[==========================100.0%==========================]
The operation completed successfully.
Boot files successfully created.
W:\Windows\System32\Recovery\Winre.wim
1 File(s) copied
Directory set to: \\?\GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\partition4\Recovery\WindowsRE

REAGENTC.EXE: Operation Successful.

Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) and system reset configuration
Information:

    Windows RE status:         Disabled
    Windows RE location:
    Boot Configuration Data (BCD) identifier: 00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000
    Recovery image location:
    Recovery image index:      0
    Custom image location:
    Custom image index:        0

REAGENTC.EXE: Operation Successful.

E:\Flat>

The last output about Windows RE being disabled seems a little confusing. But everything is good upon booting the restored system.

Re. vhdx, why not just mount it as a drive, note drive letter of windows folder (say F) and type

bcdboot f:\windows /p /d.

Re. boot.wim boot entries @Kyhi has a great one in his post on win10XPE.

I would reproduce it here with his permission.

Go for it Cereberus - open source....

Kyhi said:

Go for it Cereberus - open source....

Cheers.

So mount partition containing boot files, and then note drive letter and run following batch file (save contents in.cmd file).

Configure line at beginning as you see fit.

Rem - change Wimname to what ever you want boot entry to be shown as e.g. Macrium ReflectRem - Set Wimname=Macrium ReflectSet Wimname=My Wim Boot Entry

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Code:

@echo off


title Wimboot Menu creator


Rem - change Wimname to what ever you want boot entry to be shown as e.g. Macrium Reflect
Rem - Set Wimname=Macrium Reflect


Set Wimname=My Wim Boot Entry


rem ================================ YY.MM.DD


color 17


:start


cls


echo.


echo ===============================================================================


echo.  YOU HAVE CHOOSEN TO ADD A WINPESE BOOTABLE PARTITION TO YOUR HOST


echo ===============================================================================


echo.


set /p drvlttr= ^> ENTER THE DRIVE LETTER ASSIGNED TO THE WINPESE PARTITION: 


if [%drvlttr%]==[] echo.&echo Invalid User Input&echo.&echo The Partition Drive Letter Can Not Be Blank&echo.&pause&goto :start


if not exist %drvlttr%:\sources\boot.wim echo.&echo Invalid User Input&echo.&echo The %drvlttr%:\sources\boot.wim Was Not Found&echo.&pause&goto :start


cls


echo.


echo Configuring UEFI Boot Option for WinPESE Recovery Tools


echo --------------------------------------------------------------------------


for /f "tokens=2 delims={}" %%g in ('bcdedit.exe /create /d "%Wimname" /Device') do (set deviceid={%%g})


echo --------------------------------------------------------------------------


echo DEVICE ID = %device


echo --------------------------------------------------------------------------


bcdedit /set %deviceid% ramdisksdidevice partition=%drvlttr%:


bcdedit /set %deviceid% ramdisksdipath \boot\boot.sdi


for /f "tokens=2 delims={}" %%g in ('bcdedit.exe /create /d "%Wimname" /application osloader') do (set guid={%%g})


echo --------------------------------------------------------------------------


echo GUID = %guid%


echo --------------------------------------------------------------------------


bcdedit /set %guid% device ramdisk=[%drvlttr%:]\sources\boot.wim,%deviceid%


bcdedit /set %guid% osdevice ramdisk=[%drvlttr%:]\sources\boot.wim,%deviceid%


bcdedit /set %guid% systemroot \windows


bcdedit /set %guid% path \Windows\system32\boot\winload.efi


bcdedit /set %guid% winpe yes


bcdedit /set %guid% detecthal yes


bcdedit /displayorder %guid% /addlast


bcdedit /set {bootmgr} displaybootmenu False


bcdedit /set {bootmgr} timeout 10


echo.


echo DONE... Reboot your PC


timeout /t 5 >nul

Since I am late to the topic
1) Create the VHD
2) Apply OS Image
3) Create Boot Entry (either Host or Stand alone)