Well, according to Microsoft, if you are not on theirs OEM/ENTERPRISE/IT PROFESSIONAL list you are not even allowed to KNOW it exists!
Ok, just joking, here is the story:
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/program...port/winpe.mspx
In plain words, it is not a Public Release, nor you can buy it, unless you qualify for the above.
Windows PE is more or less a stripped down version of Windows XP/Server2003 that can run from CD-ROM, it is useful for these uses, mainly:
- accessing a dead system
- data recovery
- data forensics (but there are much better tools)
- first install of windows on new PC
- make a windows live-CD, like Knoppix or Morphix do for Linux
Luckily enough, this wonderful guy, Bart Lagerweij, has found a way to recreate a very similar environment:
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/
with ordinary files you can have legally.
Go to Bart's page above to get everything you need apart your own LICENSED copy of Windows XP/Server 2003.
Then, build your 1st basic copy of Bart's PE, play a little with it, and come back to this forum to learn how you can better, fine tune and customize it.
Hope the above clears the matter, please correct me where I am wrong.
jaclaz