Installing a bootable operating system can often be a complex process. However, using the right tools can simplify this significantly. This guide explores a streamlined method leveraging DISM++ and Sergei Strelec’s Win10PE to install bootable systems directly from image files.
DISM++, a versatile deployment tool, can directly install a bootable system from an image file, such as a .wim file from a WinPE USB drive, to a hard drive. This eliminates the traditional complexities of booting from a RAM drive. In testing, applying Sergei Strelec’s Win10PE image using DISM++ proved remarkably efficient. The process worked seamlessly, with the system booting directly from the hard drive after being made bootable with EasyBCD. While DISM++ should handle the boot process independently, EasyBCD was necessary in this specific instance.
Using DISM++ offers a direct path from a WinPE .wim image to a fully installed, bootable hard drive system. This bypasses the conventional method of booting WinPE into RAM and then pulling an image from the RAM drive. This streamlined approach also applies to bootable ISO images, including various Windows installation disks. For instance, a Windows 7 ISO was installed directly onto an SSD using DISM++’s “Apply Image” function, resulting in a running system in mere minutes. DISM++ automatically handled the boot configuration in this case, eliminating the need for EasyBCD.
Sergei Strelec’s WinPE, when installed to the hard drive, booted successfully and assigned itself the X: drive letter, residing on the hard drive instead of the usual RAM drive. Driver installation, tested with a Wifi card, functioned flawlessly. However, GPU driver installation was unsuccessful, leading to a bluescreen upon reboot. Despite this, the experiment largely validated the concept. Similarly, a Windows 11 installation using DISM++ resulted in a functional system within minutes.
The combination of Sergei Strelec’s Win10PE and DISM++ presents a powerful and efficient method for installing bootable systems. This approach significantly reduces the time and complexity traditionally associated with OS installation, offering a streamlined alternative for both novice and experienced users.
