Boot WinPE 3.0 VHD from HDD

[allanf]

On Windows 7 Beta with Windows AIK 2.0 installed.

Start > All Programs > Microsoft Windows AIK > Deployment Tools Command Prompt -> Right-Click > Run as administrator > Yes

diskpart

create vdisk file=d:\winpe.vhd type=fixed maximum=1024

select vdisk file=d:\winpe.vhd

attach vdisk

create partition primary

assign

format quick label=vhd

exit

imagex /apply "c:\program files\windows aik\tools\petools\x86\winpe.wim" 1 e:

diskpart

select vdisk file=d:\winpe.vhd

detach vdisk

exit

bcdedit /create /d "vhd" /application osloader

bcdedit /set {GUID} device vhd=[d:]\winpe.vhd

bcdedit /set {GUID} osdevice vhd=[d:]\winpe.vhd

bcdedit /set {GUID} path \windows\system32\winload.exe

bcdedit /set {GUID} systemroot \windows

bcdedit /set {GUID} detecthal yes

bcdedit /set {GUID} winpe yes

bcdedit /displayorder {GUID} /addlast

e: is the Drive Letter assigned to the attached VDISK.

{GUID} is returned following the command:

bcdedit /create /d "vhd" /application osloader

d: is the partition holding the .vhd file. In the BCD, [d:] may be replaced by [locate].

Compared to other methods of booting the unmodified winpe.wim volume image - from Boot Manager select to the appearance of the Command Prompt:

vhd - 34 seconds

wim - 33 seconds

flat - 32 seconds

(... give or take a second or two ... ...)

Regards

Edited May 3, 2009 by allanf

[jmardian]

This works great for Windows 7. Does anyone have an update for Windows 8 RTM (WinPE 4.0, I believe)?

Thanks for a great post.

[jaclaz]

This works great for Windows 7. Does anyone have an update for Windows 8 RTM (WinPE 4.0, I believe)?

Thanks for a great post.

No real changes AFAIK, the above should work with WIndows 8 allright.

See also:

http://reboot.pro/16544/page__st__50#entry151250

http://blog.concurrency.com/infrastructure/dual-boot-windows-8-from-vhd-using-windows-setup/

jaclaz