Windows PE is a small version of windows that can be run from CD. The switch to run windows pe is -minint, so it's a "mini me" of the windows world.

Windows PE can be windows xp home, xp pro, or even server 2003. Windows PE is not named by the OS it uses; it names by version. The latest version of windows pe is 1.2 (?). The only legal way to get windows PE is through a software licensing agreement with MS, which will cost you money.

WinPE FAQ:

See here http://www.ltcom.com/page/FAQ/WinXP%20OEM%...allation%20FAQ/

Using winbom.ini:
1 - You can use this file to run files once winpe is started. You can use the sections [OEMRunOnce] and [OEMRun]. An example of how to use this section is here http://groups.google.com/groups?q=winbom.i...SFTNGP11&rnum=1
2 - Explanation of winbom.ini switches - see http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechn...bc_cai_oziz.asp

Limits of winpe:

1 - After 24 hours winpe will restart the computer
2 - By default winpe has network support, however you cannot share files. You can access shares; you cannot share files. Your pc name will be minint-xxxxx. To see your computer name to ping localhost, from a command prompt.
3 - The syntax to map a network drive is slighly different in winpe, refer to the documentation.

URLS:

Deploying the Windows Platform
http://www.microsoft.com/uk/partner/events...nloads/1004.ppt

The Microsoft Windows Preinstallation Edition (Windows PE) Guide ...
http://tjb.xgameservers.com/WindowsPE.html

Windows XP OEM Preinstallation Most Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.ltcom.com/page/FAQ/WinXP%20OEM%...allation%20FAQ/

[PDF] How Do I Burn the ISO image to make a bootable ERD 2003 cd with ...
http://www.winternals.com/support/kbfiles/ISOtoCD.pdf

Automating Tasks Before Mini-Setup
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechn...cd_sys_pnvc.asp


Notable files for winpe:

startnet.cmd - shell for winpe, located in system32 folder.
Mkimg.cmd - batch file to create windows pe, found in opk
winpe.bmp - wallpaper, located in system32 folder.

This FAQ will be updated over time to include more information.

-gosh

I'm curious where you got the 1.3 number from gosh. We have an enterprise license here at work so we get this sort of stuff all the time. To my knowledge (I may be blissfully ignorant here, so correct me if necessary), the versions are as follows:

Windows PE 1.0 - original WinPE based off Windows XP Pro kernel.
Windows PE 1.1 - better, updated, fixed WinPE based off Windows XP SP1 kernel.
Windows PE 1.2 - newer WinPE adds support for custom CD's built with the Windows Server 2003 kernel, but mostly the same.

Interesting reference article: KB 828217

I definately could be wrong, i was going from memory. The latest version is 1.2 or 1.3.

-gosh

just a few things I think you should add

if you don't want to spring the money for MS PE you can go here

link

it might not be offical and it's geared more for rescue cd's but it is free and can be used for other things.

also this is the forum were the creator (Bart Lagerweij) hangs out at

link

so if you are having problems with PE builder go there and this site for the Microsoft version.

Okay new info I know I should have posted this before but a new program has been created to remove the 24 hour time limit which can begotten here link the program is peloader and it works for both windows pe and barts pe.

maybe someone could explaine uses for WindowsPE for a newbie like me.

thanks,

~William

Well... WinPE isn't available to the public. It is a OEM System Builder tool basically. You can get it by purchasing a multi-pack of OEM CDs. It is useful to build systems as well as a recovery item. It will run from a CD if I am correct, so this allows you to have Windows capabilities from a CD at any time. You can also look at Bart's PE builder, which is something similar. http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

Later!

You can actually make winpe, it uses the same files as XP. The files to make winpe are less than a meg uncompressed, only about 300k compressed. I can't post the files since theyre copyright'ed.

-gosh

everything is copyrighted.... I believe what you mean is "not licensed for public use"

Can u give us a file list?

Thanks gosh for this.
it will newbies like me.

Media

Dear Gosh,

i tried to open the the FAQ link and other microsoft ppt link as
http://www.ltcom.com/page/FAQ/WinXP OEM Preinstallation FAQ/
http://www.microsoft.com/uk/partner/events...nloads/1004.ppt
it's not opening i think link is dead, if u or any one has that FAQ and PPT in archive kindly post on this forum.

Thanks in advanced

Media

Hello, can anyone help me with files (or filelist) needed to create bootable WinPE,
I tried BartPE, it's wonderfull thing, and I want to see what a thing winpe is.
my e-mail is mr.arminas@freemail.lt

WinPE is not available unless you are an OEM or a large corp try Bart's PE at http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

hi,
can anybody tell me where can i get WinPE bootable CD. i am new to this forum & also new to WIN PE technology. My company has agrement with microsoft. & MS site says that "Enterprise Agreement (EA) and Software Assurance Membership (SAM) customers received
Windows PE in their October 2002 updates" so pls can anybody tell me that CD serial number
thanks

***nvm got it working***

the url mentioned doesnt work for me, could other ppl check if it works or not as well?

<<Removed by user>>

Sounds much like Winternall's ERD Commander

ERD is built on WInPE as a base. Winternals just purchased a license from MS to use WinPE in this manner.

1 question -

what do i need WinPE for?? what's the differenc bitween WinPE from WinXP?

i noticed some software dealers are selling the winpe kit `systembuilder edition` for a mere 65€.. im new to this whole winpe thing but it sounds like a reasonable deal.. and the word systembuilder kindof indicate that this was actually intended to be sold to us enthusiasts, so you´re not even violating any EULA´s or whatever.. joy to the world!

If it is cheap it is usually the XP OPK, this is where winpe is made from <mkimg.cmd>. So if you want to buy it go ahead but, the OPK for SP2 will be available soon and it is alot better.

One might search usenet ??

gosh,

can you tell me how to make winpe.? I want to learn how to do this?

thank you very much.

Wow, I really have to look at the MS website more This is sort of like Linux live CD's then? That you run off CD and there are fully functional? That's really cool.

Ok - pls be gentle with me here...

But is WinPE like Reatogo? (similar)?

Its a pretty noobie question....

Yes, its similar.
But reatogo came after winpe, as an imitation of it.

WinPE its a Kernel software by Microsoft with default configuration to act like Windows XP, some companies like HP, DELL, Fujitsu - Siemens, (and others) have license aggrement and are Microsoft Certified Partner with Competencies for OEM Builders, then they develop Recovery CD (Windows XP, 2003, and with new support Windows Vista - the CDs that came with this computer) or can make a system to deploy OS (for Fujitsu - Siemens you have the ServerStart Suite - bootable with framework support in a browser that make simply, install, configure RAID, install drivers, and tools for Server installation that was develop by FSC as RX100 server - Primergy Line).

For that is not open for the public at all but Microsoft People tells to you some times that because you are MCP, you have access to Microsoft Action Pack OEM OPK Builder, and no, you need competencies or download iso from http://oem.microsoft.com with any MCP login.

Like I said only customers from Microsoft have authorization for get WinPE but a lot of tools have been replicated by WinPE as BartPE, miniPE and others.

Fell free to search this kind of tools but for WinPE you need some advance knowledge from Windows Kernel use, drivers injection and some usefull dll like netcfgx.dll (with regsrv32 /s netcfgx.dll you can use netcfg to configure MS_TCPIP / MS_NETBIOS / MS_MSCLIENT) in a command prompt.

Regards

Hi

I have a simple question what does Windows PE it do?

Thanks

Windows PE is a "Preinstallation Environment" - it allows you to set up a customised windows installation, and also use Windows off the CD - like a Knoppix livedisc

ok I'm a bit new to this too. I already have a few unattended windows xp discs created, they work fine, with applications added, and extensions, and different modifications. As far as I could find out so far, WinPE basically starts the minimum required "things" to run windows programs. Winnt32.exe also I presume. Will this help me in any way? I mean I install Windows on different computers each time, so the identical image stuff falls, because I rarely get to do 2 identical computers. That's why I use unattended mode cause it saves a lot of time. Will winpe help in any way, is my question, is it a way to make windows install faster or something?