Pre-Install Programs With Windows USB

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of including third-party applications in your Windows setup USB. By following these steps, you can save time during the installation process and avoid having to install software separately after setting up Windows. This technique is commonly used by manufacturers to create restore discs and can be applied using Microsoft tools.

Step 1: Download Required Tools

To start, you need to download three essential tools:

1. VirtualBox: A virtualization software to create a virtual machine.

   • Download from VirtualBox.
   • Install the VirtualBox Extension Pack for additional features.

2. Rufus: A tool for creating bootable USB drives.

   • Download the portable version from Rufus.

3. Hiren's BootCD: A Windows PE installation to perform operations in a lightweight environment.

   • Download from Hiren's BootCD.

Step 2: Create a Windows ISO

1. Launch Rufus and allow it to check for updates.
2. Change the selection from "Select" to "Download" to fetch the Windows ISO.
3. Choose the version of Windows you want (e.g., Windows 11).
4. Select the architecture (e.g., 64-bit) and your preferred language.
5. Download the ISO file to your computer.

Step 3: Prepare the USB Drive

1. Insert your USB drive (preferably 16GB or larger).
2. Open Rufus again and switch back to "Select."
3. Find and choose the Windows ISO you downloaded.
4. Click "Start" to create the bootable USB drive.
5. If prompted, customize the installation options as needed.

Step 4: Set Up a Virtual Machine

1. Open VirtualBox and create a new VM.
   • Name it (e.g., "Windows 11").
   • Select the ISO you downloaded.
   • Allocate sufficient RAM (4GB recommended) and disk space (250GB recommended).
2. Start the VM and proceed with the Windows installation.

Step 5: Enter Audit Mode

1. During the out-of-box experience, press Ctrl + Shift + F3 to enter audit mode.
2. This allows you to install applications without creating a user account.

Step 6: Install Third-Party Applications

1. Install the applications you want to include in your custom Windows image.
   • You can download software manually or use an installer script like Ninite for convenience.
2. Ensure all applications are installed correctly before proceeding.

Step 7: Capture the Windows Image

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep.
2. Launch the Sysprep tool and select "Enter System Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE)."
3. Change the shutdown option to "Shutdown" and hit OK to finalize the setup.

Step 8: Create a New Virtual Hard Drive

1. In VirtualBox, right-click on your VM and go to Settings.
2. Under Storage, add a new virtual hard drive (VDI) to store the image.
3. Configure the new drive with sufficient space (e.g., 80GB).

Step 9: Boot into Hiren's BootCD

1. Adjust the VM settings to boot from the Hiren's BootCD ISO.
2. Start the VM and follow the prompts to enter Hiren's environment.

Step 10: Format the New Drive

1. Open Disk Management in Hiren's BootCD.
2. Initialize and format the new drive you created, assigning it a letter (e.g., D:).

Step 11: Capture the Final Image

1. Open Command Prompt and run the following command to capture your Windows installation:

   dism /Capture-Image /ImageFile:D:\install.wim /CaptureDir:C:\ /Name:"Custom Windows 11" /Compress:max
   

Step 12: Transfer the Image to the USB Drive

1. Navigate to your USB drive and replace the existing install.wim file in the sources folder with the new one you just created.

Step 13: Convert WIM to ESD (Optional)

1. If you wish to compress the image further, use the following command:

   dism /Export-Image /SourceImageFile:E:\sources\install.wim /SourceIndex:1 /DestinationImageFile:C:\install.esd /Compress:recovery /CheckIntegrity
   

2. Replace the old WIM file on the USB drive with the new ESD file.

Conclusion

You have successfully created a bootable Windows USB that includes your preferred third-party applications. This method not only streamlines the installation process but also ensures that your setup is tailored to your needs. You can now use this USB to install Windows on any compatible machine, reducing setup time significantly. Consider exploring additional customization options or creating unattended installation scripts for an even more automated experience.