Solved Create An ISO with Install.wim Using Media Creation Tool

[KYHI]

When you use the "Create Installation Media for Windows 8.1" from Microsoft, a "*.TEMP" is downloaded in background.

This "*.TEMP" File is converted into "WINPAYLOAD.ESD" and right after the decryption process it is renamed "WINPAYLOAD.ESD.DECRYPT" This is the decrypted windows installation package..

"WINPAYLOAD.ESD.DECRYPT" will be found in the following location

"C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Temp\%random alphanumeric%\MediaCreationToolExpanded\WindowsInstallationMediaCreationTool\Download" Folder

Note: To view the AppData folder, you must first go into control panel, folder options, view tab, and select show hidden files, folders, and drives

You must copy the "WINPAYLOAD.ESD.DECRYPT" as soon as you see it, to your desktop, as this file will be deleted during the media tools media creation process

So now we can make an ISO consisting of an install.wim file instead of an install.esd file

Following are the instructions to convert the WINPAYLOAD.ESD.DECRYPT to create an install.win ISO file instead of an install.esd ISO file

Step 1 > Download the CreateWIM_v8.1.zip (Note: I tweaked the esd-decrypt v3 script for this purpose)

Step 2 > Create a new temp folder > (e.g. C:\TEMP) Extract the zip file and then copy its contents to the "TEMP" folder

Step 3 > Copy/Move the downloaded WINPAYLOAD.ESD.DECRYPT file to the same "TEMP" folder. (e.g. C:\TEMP) Rename the file to WINPAYLOAD.ESD

Step 4 > Press Windows Key + X and select Command Prompt (Admin).

Step 5 > Execute the following command > c:\temp\createwim c:\temp\winpayload.esd

Step 6 > Now you have Two Options to select from, Continue or Quit
If you continue, the program will create an ISO Image with an install.wim from the winpayload.esd installation package

Step 8 > Now sit back, relax and watch. It may take up to 20 – 40 minutes, depends upon your hardware.

Step 9 > Once the program finishes, go to C:/TEMP and you’ll find an ISO file, You can now burn it to a DVD or make a bootable USB drive with it.

Since a lot of us like to use windows SIM to create unattend and autounattend xml's this post is about getting an install.wim instead of an install.esd in an ISO.. Since SIM will not open esd

The script only runs DISM commands to extract the needed Index's from the winpayload.esd installation package to create the windows setup ISO

 

[BazzaG]

Hi,

Thanks for this but I'm afraid CreateWin didn't work for me.

1st DISM failed ... couldn't find MediaMeta.xml in ISOFOLDER.

I added it & then restarted the script, which seemed to restart OK but then failed with access denied for everything that DISM was trying to copy/process.

Eventually the script ended, although it didn't create any ISO and yes, I was running the script in a Admin Prompt.

Deleting what was left over was a PITA as well. Had to take ownership of everything in c:\temp.

 

[KYHI]

what ESD file you using?
not the one from the sources folder on the setup disk, I hope..

1st DISM failed ... couldn't find MediaMeta.xml in ISOFOLDER
I added it

that was the give away...

Here is the trick to that PITA

create a folder we will call it "FUBR"

robocopy "c:\fubr" c:\temp /mir

 

[BazzaG]

The original install.esd file extracted from the latest ISO D/L'd from MS using Media Creation Tool.

I converted this to install.wim & using NTLite added some missing drivers; in particular, the drivers for the Intel Network adapter and ONLY the extra drivers. I tried to create an ISO via NTLite but for some unknown reason it didn't do so.

So I converted the updated WIM back to a ESD & tried your process.

The scripts for converting a ESD to a WIM & a WIM to a ESD this can be found here:
ESD <> WIM Conversion batch

Bit of a process but according to the scripts the actual conversions worked OK.

I'm building a 24TB NAS/HT/LIGHT Gaming PC using a ASRock mobo which has a Intel network adapter & for whatever reason the default network drivers included by MS in Windows 8.1 Pro 64bit don't work. Previously I have used ASUS mobo's for my other 2 PC's & both these have a Realtek Network adapter which the default drivers work OK (at least to get a network connection during the installation of Windows). Hence my desire to slipsteam the Intel drivers .... perhaps I should have kept using ASUS mobo's !!!!!

BTW, my MediaMeta.xml has:

<?xml version="1.0"?>



<mc>



  <media>



    <chunk>client_en-gb</chunk>



      <taskguid>98f8e74a-5a44-4e8c-8a0d-d37eaf5c22db</taskguid>



  </media>



</mc>

The above forum also has microsoft.com links to all of the various Windows 8.1 editions published by MS here:
Windows 8.1 with Update ESDs Repository

Cheers
BazzaG...

 

[KYHI]

The original install.esd file extracted from the latest ISO D/L'd from MS using Media Creation Tool

Wrong File...... Wrong Usage.....

This uses the winpayload.esd to create the media ISO with an install.wim instead of an install.esd

(from which you copied the install.esd from that media and tried to convert to install.wim)

You added your unneeded steps to convert and convert back..

That is what this does - if you follow the directions

And I would Suggest that you use The Official Download link

Microsoft Windows 8.1 MediaCreation Tool

One link you provided is from 2011 and the other is a torrent download

And the program file did not work, hum.. Wonder why..

 

[BazzaG]

BTW, I did rename install.esd to winpayload.esd prior to running your script.

One link you provided is from 2011 and the other is a torrent download

And the program file did not work, hum.. Wonder why..

The ESDS <> WIM scripts are from APRIL 2014.

As for the ESD Repository thread, they individual ESD's are ALL from:
h t t p//vg.dl.ws.microsoft.com/................

As for a Torrent ... just because the D/L is a torrent, does not mean that the D/L is illegal.

The links look legal to me, however, if anyone considers otherwise, then please delete the links.

 

[Superfly]

Easiest way I found is to grab the products.xml file from the MediaCreationToolExpanded folder.

NB: to get the that folder start MediaCreation Tool, when at the selection screen, open task Manager, right-click the file and open file location of the running process.

Copy the direct download link for the edition and architecture you want from products.xml and download as normal - This will be the encrypted esd.

Then use esd-decrypter-wimlib-3.7z (This version uses the latest cryto key as is contained in the xml file) to decrypt it to an install.wim based ISO.

 

[KYHI]

BTW, I did rename install.esd to winpayload.esd prior to running your script.

I knew it from your first post.. Wrong File.. Wrong usage..

Easiest way I found is to grab the products.xml file from the MediaCreationToolExpanded folder

No need, just grab the WINPAYLOAD.ESD.DECRYPT that is the decrypted Installation package..

And this runs the same DISM commands as all those others..

Minus the call to decrypt - because with win 8.1 Microsoft does the decryption it for you..

All they have to do is follow the directions...

When you use the "Create Installation Media for Windows 8.1" from Microsoft, a "*.TEMP" is downloaded in background.

This "*.TEMP" File is converted into "WINPAYLOAD.ESD" and right after the decryption process it is renamed "WINPAYLOAD.ESD.DECRYPT" This is the decrypted windows installation package..

The ESD is decrypted using products.xml during the media tools "Checking the Download" process

 

[KYHI]

And this works with both Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 Preview, and it uses the proper ISO Name

With Win 10 Preview the proper ESD in in the c:\recoveryimage folder

 

[prz42]

When you use the "Create Installation Media for Windows 8.1" from Microsoft
Step 1 > Download the CreateWIM_v8.1.zip (Note: I tweaked the esd-decrypt v3 script for this purpose)

Where is the download link. I tried Googling but no luck.

 

[KYHI]

Here is what you are looking for

 

[Chrysalis]

Hi, I also cannot see the link, did you remove it?

I am trying to make a custom 8.1 image but all tools require install.wim when it is install.esd.

Following your first post I have the decrypt file but the tool you said to use isnt there.

 

[tyian]

Hi kyhi this is not about this thraed but I have a acer aspire 5741 and since a month it goes on but then it says for 2 sec unmoutable boot volume en then the screen goes black can jou help me plz greetings tyian

 

[Ztruker]

tyian, create a new thread with a good subject in the General Support forum. You will not get much notice here in this thread. Also,

How to fill out System Specs for eightforums.

See here: How to See Your System Specs with "System Info"

 

[Chrysalis]

just noticed you the same guy who replied to my other thread, thanks for this guide by the way.

 

[opake]

Step 1 > Download the CreateWIM_v8.1.zip (Note: I tweaked the esd-decrypt v3 script for this purpose)

Where can I find this .zip file?