Strange behaviour imaging under WinPE4

[Tripredacus]

I can't understand exactly how or why this happens, but I have confirmed that it does. Sorry for the topic title, but I can't really put it into words. I've already gone through all the testing and found out the symptoms and a work-around, which may be a fix, but it doesn't actually solve why the problem happens in the first place.

The issue was that a deployed image wouldn't automatically register files at Windows boot up. The complaint of Windows (via Start Menu) and third party software was that these files could not be found. The files do exist however. These files should be registered automatically. All of these files are unsigned Active-X Controls.

Background. Image is Windows 7 Pro SP1 x86. It was initially captured using WinPE3 using Imagex.

Here are the different variables I tested and the results. (All PEs are x64, imagex in PE4 is from WAIK from Win7)

Deployments that result in a failed file registration

WinPE4 with Imagex via cmd.exe

Deployments that result in successful file registration

WinPE4 with Imagex via direct call (objShell.Run, VBS)

WinPE3 with Imagex via cmd.exe

WinPE3 with Imagex via direct call

WinPE4 with DISM via cmd.exe

I can't provide specific files since they are not mine to mention or redistribute.

[Tripredacus]

There is an updated imagex.exe in the ADK that does not show this behaviour.