Solved Extracting specific files from Windows install image (install.wim)

[Midori]

Due to my previous modifications to the system, my Windows is missing the wuaueng.dll file, among others related to the Windows Update service. I am trying to restore that file manually (SFC/DISM keep failing for some reason) by locating it inside the install.wim image and extracting it. Unfortunately it seems to be absent inside the image (on the path /Windows/system32). Where should i be looking for it?

 

[billmcct]

You can try this:

Update Fixer

Freeware app to automatically fix Windows Update.

winupdatefixer.com

I have used it several times and it worked on several different OS's.

EDIT:
Or look here:

System Update Readiness Tool (SURT)

System Update Readiness Tool (SURT) The System Update Readiness Tool (SURT) is a tool developed by Microsoft that is used to repair a computers Windows Update issues. Part of the repair stage is for SURT to locate and repair corrupt/missing update files, Windows Update registry keys and...

www.sysnative.com

 

[Midori]

The first tool didn't restore any files, so it's useless unfortunately. The second one doesn't have a version matching Windows 8.1 so I'm unsure why i'd want to use it.

I appreciate the effort, but if i could just manually extract the file i need it'd be simpler for me, so my initial question still stands.

 

[billmcct]

First go here and download SFCFix and run it. Save it to your desktop because it may create a file where it is run from.

SFCFix Official Download - Repair Windows Update

Download SFCFix completely free to repair Windows Update and SFC corruptions, fix error messages and get help with Windows Update / SFC problems. Tool author: niemiro.

www.sysnative.com

It may automatically fix some or all SFC errors.

If that doesn't help then go here, and go to step 2:

Windows Update Forum Posting Instructions

Welcome to Sysnative's Windows Update forum. Here you may seek help and support for Windows Update errors, System File Checker (SFC) corruptions, DISM corruptions, Side by Side Configuration errors, System Service errors, and related errors, corruptions, and problems. These instructions apply...

www.sysnative.com

You will first have to set up an account at Sysnative and follow the instructions posting the files they request.
There are many good people there that can fix any corruptions you may have.
Be patient on a reply because they are very busy there.

 

[hroldan]

Due to my previous modifications to the system, my Windows is missing the wuaueng.dll file, among others related to the Windows Update service. I am trying to restore that file manually (SFC/DISM keep failing for some reason) by locating it inside the install.wim image and extracting it. Unfortunately it seems to be absent inside the image (on the path /Windows/system32). Where should i be looking for it?

I'm not sure the specifics for every file you need, I mean, some may be on a fresh install, and some may appear only after specific updates.

If you have access to another computer, or if the current one runs VirtualBox, you may try creating a virtual machine and proceed accordingly with a fresh install.

Another option is downloading the file from the web, Microsoft has some files flying around, and there are other sites (non official) hosting others too, specially DDL files, but sure, security is a problem in that case. Same goes to having someone sending you those files from their systems.

What about downloading a full install? I know Microsoft offered in the past virtual machines ready for testing diff aspects of the system, including web browsers, probably W8 won't be easy to find, but it's worth sharing the word.

It's probably too late but consider full backups.

So far, I think a virtual machine may be the best way to go to avoid a full reinstall.

 

[Bree]

Unfortunately it seems to be absent inside the image (on the path /Windows/system32). Where should i be looking for it?

There is an associated language specific .mui file needed too. These are the file locations from a working install of W8.1 (English International, aka en-gb).

Here they are in the Install.wim from my Win8.1_EnglishInternational_x64.iso, which mounts as IR5_CCSA_X64FRE_EN-GB_DV9, exploring it with 7-Zip File Manager. You can get an ISO direct from Microsoft here: Download Windows 8.1 Disc Image (ISO File)

 

[Midori]

Thank you so much, this has finally helped! I was trying to locate these files inside the install.wim from my recovery partition instead of a separate system image, and they didn't seem to be present there. Now i have everything i need, thank you again

 

[Bree]

Thank you so much, this has finally helped! .... Now i have everything i need, thank you again

Glad to have helped