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Modify a Boot or Install Image

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Applies To: Windows Server 2008

You can modify images to add files or drivers without having to create a new image by using the tools in the Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK). The processes are similar for a boot or install image, however the tool sets and syntax vary between image types.

Detailed information about modifying Windows image (.wim) files is available in the Windows AIK User's Guide for Windows Vista (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=53552).

To modify a boot image

  1. Disable the image that you want to modify. If you are using the Windows Deployment Services snap-in, right-click the image and select Disable. This will allow existing installations to continue, but new clients will not be able to enumerate the image.

  2. Export the image.

  3. Modify the image using the tools included in the Windows AIK.

  4. Add the image back to the Windows Deployment Services server. There are two ways to accomplish this:

    • Replace the existing image (assuming that all installations using it have completed) with the newly-serviced version. (Recommended)

    • Add the image as a new image. Later, you can remove the old image (which will not be enumerated because it was disabled).

To make any additional changes to the boot menu, use Bcdedit.exe to edit the default.bcd file located at %REMINST%\boot\<architecture>. You can run bcdedit /? at a command prompt to see the command-line options.

For more information, see Boot Configuration Data Editor Frequently Asked Questions (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=65818)

To modify an install image

  1. Disable the image that you want to modify. In the Windows Deployment Services MMC snap-in, right-click the image and select Disable. This will allow existing installations to continue, but new clients will not be able to enumerate the image.

  2. Export the image.

  3. Modify the image by using the tools included in the Windows AIK.

  4. Add the image to the server. There are two ways to do this:

    • Replace the existing image (assuming that all installations using it have completed) with the newly-serviced version. (Recommended)

    • Add the image as a new image. Later, you can remove the old image (which will not be enumerated because it was disabled).

Additional references