Yes, you read that right: that is a 1.4 GB download! However, it's worth every byte!Ģ) Burn the ISO to a DVD using your favorite burning software or mount it with CD emulation software to save yourself a disc.ģ) Install the WAIK. I find the Windows 7 WAIK easier to deal with, so we're going to go with that one: Currently, there are two now:Ī) Windows Vista WAIK for making Vista-based Windows PE 2.1 discs.ī) Windows 7 WAIK for making Win7-based Windows PE 3.0 discs. His batch instructions made life a lot easier, as PE's documentation is kind of dry.ġ) Download the Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK). However, I won't get into that unless someone requests that I do so. However, there is a way to boot PE on machines with 256 MB of RAM. Microsoft says 256 MB, but one of three things will happen booting PE on a machine with 256 MB of RAM:Ī) It'll boot up, but no commands will work.ī) Blue Screen of Death (yes, PE can do this). Distributing an ISO is not so much.Īs long as you have around 512 MB of RAM, it'll be fine. Even writing automated creation tools are okay. Instructions on how to make your own is fine. It's designed to reboot itself after 72 hours.ī) You don't distribute it as is.

It's perfectly free, and even Microsoft has information on PE!Ī) You don't use it as a full-blown OS. Luckily, this ain't da warez-otherwise, I'd be banned and this whole FAQ would be blown away from the Computer Hope Servers! However, Windows PE does have a few advantages over the former three options:Ī) You can install drivers while inside the WinPE environment!! Forgot to load that SATA driver? Just put it on a flash drive, plug it in, and use the drvload command, and now PE will see your SATA drives without having to create a whole new disc!!Īlso, WinPE comes with drivers for flash drives! Just plug it in and go!Ĥ) How much does it cost? Is it free? If not, can you hook me up with da warez, winkywinkywinky? Windows PE, or 'WinPE' is best used for when your Windows is NOT working! If your computer has a virus, a corrupt file, or if you just simply want to back up your data without removing the hard drive from your PC, PE can get you there! You can also run some lightweight programs from WinPE!ģ) I already use Knoppix, BartPE, or Ultimate Boot CDs for that purpose. In a nutshell, it's a miniature version of Windows that boots from a CD (or other removable media) and loads directly to your computer's memory.Ģ) Why would I need Windows PE? I already have a working version of Windows (XP, Vista, etc.)! To avoid sounding too much like a broken record, I figured a FAQ would be a good idea, no?ġ) What is Windows PE? Is it the next version of Windows? I've been here off and on since late 2008, and I've noticed that I've suggested to many people to create a Windows PE disc for one reason or another.

How to create a windows pe iso