As I wrote above my personal preference is to use native vhds and forget any imaging option for good, but given on MDL no one seem getting how powerful simple and handy is that solution, I explained the next best thing. For people scared by command line there are always gimagex, dism++ and a number of GUIs for wimlib (like wimlib-clc)
You've got to learn to properly assess the user level the OPs are these days ps, using the winxpe environment you can do whatever you want, use cmd prompt or macrium reflect.
I'm "outdated", I always try to upgrade users rather than downgrade programs Personally I have a little use of WinPE, I have always multiple vhds in multiboot, if the OS A has problems I boot in the OS B/C/D... to fix/backup/upgrade/restore it. Anyway if you are in love with WinPE I suggest to try "strelec" where you can do whatever you want given practically everything useful is already there (macrium included if memory serves well)
To be able to "upgrade" users you first need to understand the user level of the one to be "upgraded". Nobody downgrades anything, just trying to help at the user level. I prefer to create the winpese/winxpe iso (it takes just a few minutes to create it) myself and along the way learn to upgrade my knowledge too, instead of downloading some ISO nobody knows what it could do.
For one user who ask there are dozens or hundreds who read, that's why forum exist (especially this one). For one user who don't get a suggestion there are many who perfectly understand and take advantage of it. Otherwise we can help each other using PMs or emails only
That's downgrading programs to me. Look, if you want to teach, create a properly documented comprehensive tutorial instead of just throwing your "knowledge" into a very simple and most likely already answered thread.
Opinions. Suggesting an overkill commercial program over something already included in the OS, or an open source alternative is a downgrade in my opinion. I don't want to "teach", nor I want to provide ready meals, I share some suggestions based on my experience. I put the spark, the user, if he/she mind, put the fuel. Google, duckduck and the search button are there for everyone who find a definite suggestion interesting. You need to hurt your knees if you want to ride a bike w/o the stabilizer wheels.
So one entire afternoon talking about winPe then you attempted to use it online? Whatever time to bed now see ya tomorrow.
one more suggestion : winntsetup can backup system too as wim. clik on top left icon to get more tools.
Thanks for pointing to that option, included on recent versions, which I forgot to mention. Not only it can do what you wrote, but it can do that choosing from WIMGAPI (dism) or wimlib
@ signal to noise ratio Someone asked a question ............ wich is very easy to answer ........... please stop complicating things .
People who post on MDL are supposed to be interested on learning new things. The web is plenty of forums aimed to people who like just to push some buttons, better to post there if the ignorance to knowledge ratio is not favorable.