Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) User's Guide (Winpe.chm)

Provides instructions on creating a customized version of Windows PE and enabling Windows PE to boot from different types of media. This documentation also covers ImageX technology.

Windows Imaging Interface Reference (Wimgapi.chm)

Provides comprehensive coverage of all the Windows imaging APIs.

BCDboot.exe

Provides initialization to the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store, and it enables you to copy boot environment files to the system partition during image deployment.

Bootsect.exe

Updates the master boot code for hard disk partitions to alternate between BOOTMGR and NTLDR. This enables you to preinstall Windows Vista® or Windows 7 from Windows XP or Windows Server® 2003. You can also preinstall Windows 7 from Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 from Windows Vista or Windows 7. You can use Bootsect to restore the boot sector on your computer. This tool replaces FixFAT and FixNTFS.

DiskPart.exe

A text-mode command interpreter in the Windows 7, Windows Vista, and the Windows Server 2003 family. This tool enables you to manage objects (disks, partitions, or volumes) by using scripts or direct input at a command prompt.

Drvload.exe

A command-line tool for adding out-of-box drivers to a booted Windows PE image. It takes one or more driver .inf files as inputs.

Oscdimg.exe

A command-line tool for creating an image (.iso) file of a customized 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows PE. The .iso file can then be burned to a CD-ROM.

Dism.exe

A command-line tool that can create and modify a Windows PE 3.0 or Windows 7 image.

ImageX.exe

A command-line tool that enables Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and corporations to capture, modify, and apply file-based disk images for rapid deployment. It can also work with other technologies that use .wim files, such as Setup for Windows 7, Windows Vista Windows Deployment Services, and the SMS Operating System Feature Deployment Pack.

Winpeshl.ini

A configuration file that controls whether a customized shell is loaded in Windows® PE or the default Command Prompt window.

Wpeinit.exe

A command-line tool that initializes Windows PE every time it boots. Wpeinit replaced the initialization function previously supported by the Factory.exe -winpe command in Windows XP.

Wpeutil.exe

A command-line tool that enables you to run various commands in a Windows PE session.