Create ISO from a sysprepped, DISM captured, post-OOBE WIM?

M

meineomma

New Member
Hi there
I created a well-working ISO image using NTLite, installed software, updates, etc in audit mode, resealed it using sysprep generalize oobe quit and captured the image.wim via dism (dism++ actually). So far everything went fine. I for certainly could deploy it using WDS, however I'd love to be able to make an ISO, being able to install it like a full 22H2 ISO.
However since the capture does not include boot.wim NTLite will not offer the creation of an ISO file. The option is greyed out.
Is there a way to include a boot.wim and thus re-enable the creation of an ISO image?
 
could "Copy the contents of a Windows disc to a folder, rename your image to install.wim and copy over the existing install.wim, then save as a new ISO" possibly work?
 
Every ISO image is grouped into 4 key components:
- boot loader files (BIOS/UEFI)​
- boot.wim, which is extracted into RAMDISK and runs Setup​
- Setup helper files, included unattended configs​
- install.wim (Windows image)​

boot.wim is a stripped version of Windows without all the apps. But like normal Windows, it can take drivers to recognize different hardware.
It has only one task: to create an environment to partition the disk, and run Setup.

install.wim doesn't have to match the ISO's original copy. It can be any Windows release which is equal or older than the ISO. For example, a W11 ISO can boot and install W10, 8, or 7 images. The install.wim is only a payload which Setup extracts to disk, and then the copied Windows will reboot itself and finish installing.

DISM capture creates a WIM file to replace the existing install.wim

1. 7-Zip extract a normal Windows ISO
2. Replace \sources\install.wim with your captured WIM file
3. [Optional step] Run NTLite, and update drivers on the boot.wim
4. [Optional step] Add unattended settings
5. From NTLite, add this ISO folder and right menu -> Create ISO
 
Thank you for taking the time to explain. It had not occurred to me that a wim could be applied this easily. Silly me for believing in the necessity of some complicated procedure. Sincere apologies on my behalf. Gratitude towards everyone who helped me figure this out.
 
Sysprepping Capturing and Deploying a captured install.wim is easy once you know how and then its dead easy.
I put updated captured wims into NTLite regularly and it copes very well with them :)
 
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