Vista - Windows PE 2.0: a tiny version of Windows for system maintenance

http://www.apcstart.com/site/jbannan...em-maintenance

Few people know it, but when you boot off the Vista install DVD, you're booting into a
different version of Windows altogether: Windows PE 2.0.

It's based on the Vista kernel, but it's extremely compact. It provides read/write access to
NTFS filesystems, a wide range of 32- and 64-bit hardware drivers, network connectivity and the
ability to run both 32- and 64-bit applications.

However, stripped away from the Vista installer, it's also a very versatile tool for
administrators. It allows troubleshooting, installation and system recovery, and its small size
means it can be run from CD, USB key or even via network boot.

PE has actually been around since the release of XP, but most administrators have avoided using
it, instead preferring more mature third-party management and installation tools.

The newest version of Windows PE (version 2.0), is different. Along with tools which I've
discussed previously, ImageX and System Image Manager (SIM), Windows PE 2.0 is bundled in the
Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK), and is an integral part of both the WAIK and Vista
itself.

How to get Windows PE

To use Windows PE 2.0, you need to get your hands on either the Windows OEM Preinstallation Kit
(WOPK), the WAIK or the Windows PE Kit media.

Unfortunately it's a tool aimed at business users, so at this stage it's not included in the
normal Vista beta installation media.

There's clearly strong enthusiast interest in it, though, because Windows Automated
Installation Kit (WAIK) is being widely illegally distributed on P2P file sharing networks.

For the purposes of this post, I'm using the WAIK [legally obtained from Microsoft!].

Finding WinPE on your machine

Once the WAIK is installed, the WinPE folder structure is available in C:\Program Files\Windows
AIK\Tools. The main folders needed are the architecture folders (x86, ia64 and amd64), and the
PETools and Servicing folders.

Building your own bootable WinPE 2.0 environment

The next step is to create the actual WinPE tool, based on the architecture you require. This
is done using the COPYPE.CMD command, which resides in the PETools folder. Navigate there in a
command window, or just launch the "Windows PE Tools Command Prompt" link from Start, Program,
Microsoft Windows AIK.

continued.......

http://www.apcstart.com/site/jbannan...em-maintenance

Niec article on WinPE, thanks for the link. The only thing to keep in mind
while using WinPE (if you use it a LOT) is that it will reboot the pc once
every 24 hours.


"MICHAEL" wrote:

> http://www.apcstart.com/site/jbannan...em-maintenance
>
> Few people know it, but when you boot off the Vista install DVD, you're booting into a
> different version of Windows altogether: Windows PE 2.0.
>
> It's based on the Vista kernel, but it's extremely compact. It provides read/write access to
> NTFS filesystems, a wide range of 32- and 64-bit hardware drivers, network connectivity and the
> ability to run both 32- and 64-bit applications.
>
> However, stripped away from the Vista installer, it's also a very versatile tool for
> administrators. It allows troubleshooting, installation and system recovery, and its small size
> means it can be run from CD, USB key or even via network boot.
>
> PE has actually been around since the release of XP, but most administrators have avoided using
> it, instead preferring more mature third-party management and installation tools.
>
> The newest version of Windows PE (version 2.0), is different. Along with tools which I've
> discussed previously, ImageX and System Image Manager (SIM), Windows PE 2.0 is bundled in the
> Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK), and is an integral part of both the WAIK and Vista
> itself.
>
> How to get Windows PE
>
> To use Windows PE 2.0, you need to get your hands on either the Windows OEM Preinstallation Kit
> (WOPK), the WAIK or the Windows PE Kit media.
>
> Unfortunately it's a tool aimed at business users, so at this stage it's not included in the
> normal Vista beta installation media.
>
> There's clearly strong enthusiast interest in it, though, because Windows Automated
> Installation Kit (WAIK) is being widely illegally distributed on P2P file sharing networks.
>
> For the purposes of this post, I'm using the WAIK [legally obtained from Microsoft!].
>
> Finding WinPE on your machine
>
> Once the WAIK is installed, the WinPE folder structure is available in C:\Program Files\Windows
> AIK\Tools. The main folders needed are the architecture folders (x86, ia64 and amd64), and the
> PETools and Servicing folders.
>
> Building your own bootable WinPE 2.0 environment
>
> The next step is to create the actual WinPE tool, based on the architecture you require. This
> is done using the COPYPE.CMD command, which resides in the PETools folder. Navigate there in a
> command window, or just launch the "Windows PE Tools Command Prompt" link from Start, Program,
> Microsoft Windows AIK.
>
> continued.......
>
> http://www.apcstart.com/site/jbannan...em-maintenance
>
>