How To Guide How To Backup Your Entire Hard Drive and Build an ISO

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jenneh

jenneh

Senior Member
Mar 26, 2014
744
511
Razer Phone 2
Nvidia Shield TV & TV Pro (2019)
Hello Friends~!

I have built a new lab for us that will teach you how to use Several features of the Windows ADK to be able to backup your entire Windows system with any files, folders, apps, programs, or drivers preinstalled and saved onto an iso.

A USB Thumb drive is required for this method! (or any external drive or whatever workaround you have.)

Download ADK:

Download WinPE Addon:

Download VMWare Player:

Download MODWIN:

MODWIN.EXE

drive.google.com drive.google.com
Once all the pre-reqs are installed... Copy the entire WISM Folder to your usb thumbdrive:
Code: 
C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Assessment and Deployment Kit\Deployment Tools\WSIM
Go to the link above, click on DeploymentTools in the toolbar and copy WISM and paste to the thumbdrive.
WISM1.PNG
1665630970820.png

Then Copy your WIM File to thumbdrive.
You can use MODWIN to source a WIM file from your Windows ISOs. In order to do so, run MODWIN.exe once to install MODWIN for us. Now in C:\MODWIN paste your Windows ISO contents into the ISO folder of MODWIN. Now run MODWIN.bat

1679588491209.png
Select option 2 to source WIM and option 1 for ESD.

1679588557205.png

Then you may choose whatever version of windows you want, and it will pull the wim for us.

When it is done you will have an install.wim file in sources that you can cut and paste to your USB.
1679588636407.png


Further knowledge about MODWIN can be found on it's official thread
We are using VMWARE because it is easier to sysprep and generalize an image in a VM as opposed to our host. You do not have to use vmware, you could use virtual box, qemu, or your host pc.

That being said, your machine needs to have it's network adapter turned off or removed entirely so it cannot connect to the internet. For good measure it is advised to build a new machine using only a Microsoft Windows 11 iso, not a Modded iso, and freshly install the image without internet so you have a clean sysprep environment.

This is how to disable internet during win 11 install using OOBE code
In the VM Open:
Code: 
C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep
1.PNG


Open Sysprep and tick the Generalize box. Leave it on reboot then select OK.

When you get to this screen press:
Ctrl + Shift + F3


2.PNG



This will cause the vm to reboot into audit mode.
Unplug and replug your usb thumbdrive. This will cause Vmware Player to send a popup. Select:
Connect the usb to the Virtual Machine.

To build a new Answer File:
Run Windows System Image Manager in the VM.

Select File, New Answer File, Yes.
Select your install.wim stored on the thumbdrive and Yes
4.PNG
5.PNG
6.PNG

Then save the answer file to your thumbdrive with the name of "AnswerFile"
INSTALL ANY DRIVERS, SOFTWARE, OR FILES AND FOLDERS on the Machine

When done, In the VM Open:
Code: 
C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep

To save, open command prompt by typing cmd in Sysprep's folder toolbar, then run:
Code: 
sysprep.exe /generalize /oobe /shutdown /unattend:E:\AnswerFile.xml
On your host PC, Search for Deployment, run as admin and paste:
Code: 
copype amd64 e:\WinPE

8.PNG


To make a WinPE ISO:
Code: 
MakeWinPEMedia /iso E:\WinPE E:\Winpe.iso
Select the WinPE iso in vmware, run the machine, then press any button to enter the bios, and select boot from cd rom.

9.PNG

10.PNG
Unplug and replug your usb to re-sync to the vm

Type into command prompt:
Code: 
Dism /Capture-Image /ImageFile:"E:\install.wim" /CaptureDir:C:\ /Name:install

This will create a new install.wim file for us that we can use in MODWIN to create a new iso with everything preinstalled for us!
Copy the new WIM file and paste it back into the ISO/sources folder of MODWIN. Delete the install.esd file if it still exists.

1679589359039.png

Run the MODWIN.bat script again, and Select option 7

1679589565713.png

Run option 4 to build your new ISO it will go through the steps shown above and produce a new ISO for you in C:\MODWIN\MOD
A Very Special Thank you to @james28909 for suggesting finding this sort of a work-around for a problem in this reddit thread:
https://www.reddit.com/r/hacking/comments/xqv5dx
learn.microsoft.com

Capture and Apply Windows using a WIM file

Capture and apply Windows using a single WIM file
learn.microsoft.com
learn.microsoft.com

Windows System Image Manager Technical Reference

Windows System Image Manager Technical Reference
learn.microsoft.com
 
Last edited:
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J

james28909

Senior Member
Mar 27, 2016
126
22
Samsung Galaxy Note 9
anyone who wants to try this, it is much easier than it looks. and once done you have your very own customized iso. you can also create the user and have everything preconfigured like dark mode or activation and more. thanks to @jenneh for the great guide!

p.s. for steam games i would suggest to backup your current games you want to a secondary drive and then restore them once you have reinstalled.
 
Last edited:
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Reactions: knigge111 and jenneh
I

indospot

Senior Member
Feb 23, 2014
175
71
Pombal
Hi jenneh! I already commented on your other guide but I was also trying to follow this one and I ran into some problems figuring out how to follow this process:
- A multi-edition Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft does not seem to work for this process? I need to modify it with MODWINDOWZ first to have a single edition first.
- When I follow the MODWINDOWZ instructions to generate the final ISO, the install.esd or install.wim file inside the ISO can't be edited using WSIM, correct? I could only get it to work by using the mod.wim from this step
1679565647075.png

Instead of the final install.wim. Is it because of this part?
1679565725885.png


I am new to all this so I'm trying to understand everything.
 
jenneh

jenneh

Senior Member
Mar 26, 2014
744
511
Razer Phone 2
Nvidia Shield TV & TV Pro (2019)
@indospot Thank you for asking all this. This one may take me a day or two to give you a good answer on (Gotta finish assignment first). I wrote (or write all these silly guides) when I am brand new learning too, so I can try to remember how to do said thing. I only did this one once so I have to relearn it again and maybe it can be re-written easier and clearer haha. Bare with me :) Will share results when available and @ you like we did on the other thread :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheMystic
I

indospot

Senior Member
Feb 23, 2014
175
71
Pombal
jenneh said:
@indospot Thank you for asking all this. This one may take me a day or two to give you a good answer on (Gotta finish assignment first). I wrote (or write all these silly guides) when I am brand new learning too, so I can try to remember how to do said thing. I only did this one once so I have to relearn it again and maybe it can be re-written easier and clearer haha. Bare with me :) Will share results when available and @ you like we did on the other thread :)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha it's the same thing here! We are trying to adapt this into an official tutorial on XDA and so I am trying to learn all the details so the instructions are as clear as possible. When it's published, I hope you can look at it and see if any changes are needed :)
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: TheMystic and jenneh
jenneh

jenneh

Senior Member
Mar 26, 2014
744
511
Razer Phone 2
Nvidia Shield TV & TV Pro (2019)
@indospot okay now that I understand what's being asked

"- A multi-edition Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft does not seem to work for this process? I need to modify it with MODWINDOWZ first to have a single edition first."

Correct, if your windows iso comes with an install.esd file in it's Sources directory, then we need to source a WIM from it of our choosing. I updated the OP to show how to do this with modwin instead of the "classic" tool as you coined it before. You can use option number 2 in modwin to do this a lot easier.

"- When I follow the MODWINDOWZ instructions to generate the final ISO, the install.esd or install.wim file inside the ISO can't be edited using WSIM, correct? I could only get it to work by using the mod.wim from this step"

I also updated this step in the OP to use Modwin now. If you select option 7, then 4 it will be able to build the iso for us once the wim is replaced in the ISO directory, and the original install.esd deleted if it isn't already.

If there's anything else I can help with please let me know! Thank you for your time in testing these things and looking forward to reading anything you put out there!
 
Olesya13

Olesya13

Member
Mar 20, 2023
42
10
jenneh said:
Hello Friends~!

I have built a new lab for us that will teach you how to use Several features of the Windows ADK to be able to backup your entire Windows system with any files, folders, apps, programs, or drivers preinstalled and saved onto an iso.

A USB Thumb drive is required for this method! (or any external drive or whatever workaround you have.)

Download ADK:

Download WinPE Addon:

Download VMWare Player:

Download MODWIN:

MODWIN.EXE

drive.google.com drive.google.com
Once all the pre-reqs are installed... Copy the entire WISM Folder to your usb thumbdrive:
Code: 
C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Assessment and Deployment Kit\Deployment Tools\WSIM
Go to the link above, click on DeploymentTools in the toolbar and copy WISM and paste to the thumbdrive.
View attachment 5733349View attachment 5733347
Then Copy your WIM File to thumbdrive.
You can use MODWIN to source a WIM file from your Windows ISOs. In order to do so, run MODWIN.exe once to install MODWIN for us. Now in C:\MODWIN paste your Windows ISO contents into the ISO folder of MODWIN. Now run MODWIN.bat

View attachment 5870271Select option 2 to source WIM and option 1 for ESD.

View attachment 5870273
Then you may choose whatever version of windows you want, and it will pull the wim for us.

When it is done you will have an install.wim file in sources that you can cut and paste to your USB.
View attachment 5870275

Further knowledge about MODWIN can be found on it's official thread
Run your Windows iso in vmware and fully install it. Make sure to install VMWARE TOOLS as well to make things easier.

To install VMWARE TOOLS click on PLAYER>MANAGE>then install vmware tools

We are using VMWARE because it is easier to sysprep and generalize an image in a VM as opposed to our host. You do not have to use vmware, you could use virtual box, qemu, or your host pc. I simply prefer VMWARE due to it's rubust features, like once you have installed the VMWARE tools you are able to drag and drop files to the VM, as well as copy and paste to and from the machine.
In the VM Open:
Code: 
C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep
View attachment 5728361

Open Sysprep and tick the Generalize box. Leave it on reboot then select OK.

When you get to this screen press:
Ctrl + Shift + F3


View attachment 5728363


This will cause the vm to reboot into audit mode.
Unplug and replug your usb thumbdrive. This will cause Vmware Player to send a popup. Select:
Connect the usb to the Virtual Machine.

To build a new Answer File:
Run Windows System Image Manager in the VM.

Select File, New Answer File, Yes.
Select your install.wim stored on the thumbdrive and Yes
View attachment 5728365View attachment 5728367View attachment 5728395
Then save the answer file to your thumbdrive with the name of "AnswerFile"
INSTALL ANY DRIVERS, SOFTWARE, OR FILES AND FOLDERS on the Machine

When done, In the VM Open:
Code: 
C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep

To save, open command prompt by typing cmd in Sysprep's folder toolbar, then run:
Code: 
sysprep.exe /generalize /oobe /shutdown /unattend:E:\AnswerFile.xml
On your host PC, Search for Deployment, run as admin and paste:
Code: 
copype amd64 e:\WinPE

View attachment 5728381

To make a WinPE ISO:
Code: 
MakeWinPEMedia /iso E:\WinPE E:\Winpe.iso
Select the WinPE iso in vmware, run the machine, then press any button to enter the bios, and select boot from cd rom.

View attachment 5728383
View attachment 5728387
Unplug and replug your usb to re-sync to the vm

Type into command prompt:
Code: 
Dism /Capture-Image /ImageFile:"E:\install.wim" /CaptureDir:C:\ /Name:install

This will create a new install.wim file for us that we can use in MODWIN to create a new iso with everything preinstalled for us!
Copy the new WIM file and paste it back into the ISO/sources folder of MODWIN. Delete the install.esd file if it still exists.

View attachment 5870327
Run the MODWIN.bat script again, and Select option 7

View attachment 5870333
Run option 4 to build your new ISO it will go through the steps shown above and produce a new ISO for you in C:\MODWIN\MOD
A Very Special Thank you to @james28909 for suggesting finding this sort of a work-around for a problem in this reddit thread:
https://www.reddit.com/r/hacking/comments/xqv5dx
learn.microsoft.com

Capture and Apply Windows using a WIM file

Capture and apply Windows using a single WIM file
learn.microsoft.com
learn.microsoft.com

Windows System Image Manager Technical Reference

Windows System Image Manager Technical Reference
learn.microsoft.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great job! Thank you!
 
I

indospot

Senior Member
Feb 23, 2014
175
71
Pombal
jenneh said:
@indospot okay now that I understand what's being asked

"- A multi-edition Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft does not seem to work for this process? I need to modify it with MODWINDOWZ first to have a single edition first."

Correct, if your windows iso comes with an install.esd file in it's Sources directory, then we need to source a WIM from it of our choosing. I updated the OP to show how to do this with modwin instead of the "classic" tool as you coined it before. You can use option number 2 in modwin to do this a lot easier.

"- When I follow the MODWINDOWZ instructions to generate the final ISO, the install.esd or install.wim file inside the ISO can't be edited using WSIM, correct? I could only get it to work by using the mod.wim from this step"

I also updated this step in the OP to use Modwin now. If you select option 7, then 4 it will be able to build the iso for us once the wim is replaced in the ISO directory, and the original install.esd deleted if it isn't already.

If there's anything else I can help with please let me know! Thank you for your time in testing these things and looking forward to reading anything you put out there!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi jenneh!

So after some further testing, I have discovered another issue, though I am not sure what causes this one. When I use modwin to extract a WIM file, I eventually run into a problem at the end. If I use the WIM file generated by MODWIN, the install.wim file that's created at the end using WinPE is much larger, around 12GB with only one program installed. When I build an ISO with it, Windows fails to install. It fails after I choose a partition to install to.
 
jenneh

jenneh

Senior Member
Mar 26, 2014
744
511
Razer Phone 2
Nvidia Shield TV & TV Pro (2019)
indospot said:
Hi jenneh!

So after some further testing, I have discovered another issue, though I am not sure what causes this one. When I use modwin to extract a WIM file, I eventually run into a problem at the end. If I use the WIM file generated by MODWIN, the install.wim file that's created at the end using WinPE is much larger, around 12GB with only one program installed. When I build an ISO with it, Windows fails to install. It fails after I choose a partition to install to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This method will definitely create a huge wim file, which is the sacrifice of having your applications or whatever it is you were trying to have preinstalled first. Why it is not installing after completion is a whole other question that I am afraid I don't know the answer to. For me mine installed but that was with 1 program added to the iso. Trouble is I still don't quite understand the basics of what we even did in it unfortunately, like the purpose of answer pages and whatnot. So I kinda am at a loss to answer these, sorry.
 
I

indospot

Senior Member
Feb 23, 2014
175
71
Pombal
jenneh said:
This method will definitely create a huge wim file, which is the sacrifice of having your applications or whatever it is you were trying to have preinstalled first. Why it is not installing after completion is a whole other question that I am afraid I don't know the answer to. For me mine installed but that was with 1 program added to the iso. Trouble is I still don't quite understand the basics of what we even did in it unfortunately, like the purpose of answer pages and whatnot. So I kinda am at a loss to answer these, sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did some further testing using MODWINDOWZ, and it turns out MODWIN wasn't the problem, but I don't know what it is. There was one time I got it to work, but I don't know what I did differently to make it work. When it worked, though, it was a smaller install.wim file at the end. This is the error I get:
Screenshot 2023-03-24 112032.png

I don't know what settings I may need to change. I'm just following the steps, yet I can't get it to work again. I did it once and I can't repeat it.
 
jenneh

jenneh

Senior Member
Mar 26, 2014
744
511
Razer Phone 2
Nvidia Shield TV & TV Pro (2019)
@indospot I was able to do all the steps just now and created a small wim in file size, the only thing I did differently than what was in the guide was I built the VM with No Network Driver so it couldn't connect to the internet. Maybe you can try this and see if it reduces the size? I will add that to the guide just incase
 
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    jenneh
    jenneh
    Hello Friends~!

    I have built a new lab for us that will teach you how to use Several features of the Windows ADK to be able to backup your entire Windows system with any files, folders, apps, programs, or drivers preinstalled and saved onto an iso.

    A USB Thumb drive is required for this method! (or any external drive or whatever workaround you have.)

    Download ADK:

    Download WinPE Addon:

    Download VMWare Player:

    Download MODWIN:

    MODWIN.EXE

    drive.google.com drive.google.com
    Once all the pre-reqs are installed... Copy the entire WISM Folder to your usb thumbdrive:
    Code: 
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Assessment and Deployment Kit\Deployment Tools\WSIM
    Go to the link above, click on DeploymentTools in the toolbar and copy WISM and paste to the thumbdrive.
    WISM1.PNG
    1665630970820.png

    Then Copy your WIM File to thumbdrive.
    You can use MODWIN to source a WIM file from your Windows ISOs. In order to do so, run MODWIN.exe once to install MODWIN for us. Now in C:\MODWIN paste your Windows ISO contents into the ISO folder of MODWIN. Now run MODWIN.bat

    1679588491209.png
    Select option 2 to source WIM and option 1 for ESD.

    1679588557205.png

    Then you may choose whatever version of windows you want, and it will pull the wim for us.

    When it is done you will have an install.wim file in sources that you can cut and paste to your USB.
    1679588636407.png


    Further knowledge about MODWIN can be found on it's official thread
    We are using VMWARE because it is easier to sysprep and generalize an image in a VM as opposed to our host. You do not have to use vmware, you could use virtual box, qemu, or your host pc.

    That being said, your machine needs to have it's network adapter turned off or removed entirely so it cannot connect to the internet. For good measure it is advised to build a new machine using only a Microsoft Windows 11 iso, not a Modded iso, and freshly install the image without internet so you have a clean sysprep environment.

    This is how to disable internet during win 11 install using OOBE code
    In the VM Open:
    Code: 
    C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep
    1.PNG


    Open Sysprep and tick the Generalize box. Leave it on reboot then select OK.

    When you get to this screen press:
    Ctrl + Shift + F3


    2.PNG



    This will cause the vm to reboot into audit mode.
    Unplug and replug your usb thumbdrive. This will cause Vmware Player to send a popup. Select:
    Connect the usb to the Virtual Machine.

    To build a new Answer File:
    Run Windows System Image Manager in the VM.

    Select File, New Answer File, Yes.
    Select your install.wim stored on the thumbdrive and Yes
    4.PNG
    5.PNG
    6.PNG

    Then save the answer file to your thumbdrive with the name of "AnswerFile"
    INSTALL ANY DRIVERS, SOFTWARE, OR FILES AND FOLDERS on the Machine

    When done, In the VM Open:
    Code: 
    C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep

    To save, open command prompt by typing cmd in Sysprep's folder toolbar, then run:
    Code: 
    sysprep.exe /generalize /oobe /shutdown /unattend:E:\AnswerFile.xml
    On your host PC, Search for Deployment, run as admin and paste:
    Code: 
    copype amd64 e:\WinPE

    8.PNG


    To make a WinPE ISO:
    Code: 
    MakeWinPEMedia /iso E:\WinPE E:\Winpe.iso
    Select the WinPE iso in vmware, run the machine, then press any button to enter the bios, and select boot from cd rom.

    9.PNG

    10.PNG
    Unplug and replug your usb to re-sync to the vm

    Type into command prompt:
    Code: 
    Dism /Capture-Image /ImageFile:"E:\install.wim" /CaptureDir:C:\ /Name:install

    This will create a new install.wim file for us that we can use in MODWIN to create a new iso with everything preinstalled for us!
    Copy the new WIM file and paste it back into the ISO/sources folder of MODWIN. Delete the install.esd file if it still exists.

    1679589359039.png

    Run the MODWIN.bat script again, and Select option 7

    1679589565713.png

    Run option 4 to build your new ISO it will go through the steps shown above and produce a new ISO for you in C:\MODWIN\MOD
    A Very Special Thank you to @james28909 for suggesting finding this sort of a work-around for a problem in this reddit thread:
    https://www.reddit.com/r/hacking/comments/xqv5dx

    Capture and Apply Windows using a WIM file

    Capture and apply Windows using a single WIM file
    learn.microsoft.com

    Windows System Image Manager Technical Reference

    Windows System Image Manager Technical Reference
    learn.microsoft.com
    View
    2
    J
    james28909
    anyone who wants to try this, it is much easier than it looks. and once done you have your very own customized iso. you can also create the user and have everything preconfigured like dark mode or activation and more. thanks to @jenneh for the great guide!

    p.s. for steam games i would suggest to backup your current games you want to a secondary drive and then restore them once you have reinstalled.
    View
    2
    I
    indospot
    jenneh said:
    @indospot Thank you for asking all this. This one may take me a day or two to give you a good answer on (Gotta finish assignment first). I wrote (or write all these silly guides) when I am brand new learning too, so I can try to remember how to do said thing. I only did this one once so I have to relearn it again and maybe it can be re-written easier and clearer haha. Bare with me :) Will share results when available and @ you like we did on the other thread :)
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse
    Haha it's the same thing here! We are trying to adapt this into an official tutorial on XDA and so I am trying to learn all the details so the instructions are as clear as possible. When it's published, I hope you can look at it and see if any changes are needed :)
    View
    1
    K
    knigge111
    Wow! Just an amazing work!
    View
    1
    jenneh
    jenneh
    @indospot Thank you for asking all this. This one may take me a day or two to give you a good answer on (Gotta finish assignment first). I wrote (or write all these silly guides) when I am brand new learning too, so I can try to remember how to do said thing. I only did this one once so I have to relearn it again and maybe it can be re-written easier and clearer haha. Bare with me :) Will share results when available and @ you like we did on the other thread :)
    View

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