[Improved] USB Pe Tool

Something that I build for private usage
I can call it 'alternative' to rufus, but for Windows system only
Need windows 10+, since it involved lot of P/S code,
I am not sure how much it compliable with lower P/S version
can Accept Disk ID / Disk Letter, Source As path, ISO
and it smart enough verify Source is not the Target, Target Is a Removable drive
( it not easy to create proper GPT partition in USB, on live System, with custom letter )

what it can do, example.
"USB Pe Tool" 3 c:\somefolder
"USB Pe Tool" e: c:\somefolder\someiso.iso
"USB Pe Tool" e: c:\somefolder\someiso.iso -TPM || bypass TPM Req.
"USB Pe Tool" 2 c:\somefolder\someiso.iso -PE || Live install, Create Proper GPT partition

## Need to place wim-lib in Windows directory \ script directory

Code:

Usage:
Run from Removeable Drive  [ -USB ]
Run With Parameters        [ LETTER / DISK ID ] [ ISO File / Setup Folder ] [-TPM ~ Optional] [-PE ~ Optional]
Run from Source Folder     [ Target Drive ]

-TPM --- Bypass the TPM 2.0 Requirement
-PE  --- WinPE Live From USB, 16GB DOK Or more IS needed

Available USB DISK

Disk - 3 , Total - 7.4716796875

Waiting for 6 seconds, press CTRL+C to quit ...

Changes. (18/02/2023)

Code:

- Add new [Un-Safe] edition for detection any drive
  (to use from live PE etc ...)
- Add helper tool for (-pe) option,
  will copy OEM folder content to selected drive

# Guide

Create bootable UEFI Windows Setup on External drive / USB

Code:

"usb pe tool" 2  d:\setup\en_windows_11_consumer_editions_version_22h2_x64_dvd.iso

Spoiler: Output

Code:

Stop ShellHWDetection Service
Define Drive Letter
Verify variables
$$$$$ Using [d:\Setup\en_windows_11_consumer_editions_version_22h2_x64_dvd.iso] as Source
$$$$$ Mount [d:\Setup\en_windows_11_consumer_editions_version_22h2_x64_dvd.iso] to [E:]
Check for local install
Check User Input
Format Usb Drive as NTFS

Remove old BCD store entries

Creating BCD entry for Windows Setup [boot\bcd]
Creating ramdisksdidevice entry...
Adding RAM Boot Windows Setup entry

Creating BCD entry for Windows Setup [EFI\Microsoft\boot\bcd]
Creating ramdisksdidevice entry...
Adding RAM Boot Windows Setup entry

Set legacy boot
Update Boot Sector

Copy Files to USB Drive [f:]
UEFI Patch
Start ShellHWDetection Service
Dismount ISO
Done ...

Press any key to continue . . .

Install Windows Setup on External drive / USB

Code:

"usb pe tool" 2  d:\setup\en_windows_11_consumer_editions_version_22h2_x64_dvd.iso -PE

Spoiler: Output

Code:

Stop ShellHWDetection Service
Define Drive Letter
Verify variables
$$$$$ Using [d:\Setup\en_windows_11_consumer_editions_version_22h2_x64_dvd.iso] as Source
$$$$$ Mount [d:\Setup\en_windows_11_consumer_editions_version_22h2_x64_dvd.iso] to [E:]
Check for local install
Check User Input
Format Usb Drive as FAT32\NADA\NTFS

Index [#1] Name : Windows 11 Home
Index [#2] Name : Windows 11 Home N
Index [#3] Name : Windows 11 Home Single Language
Index [#4] Name : Windows 11 Education
Index [#5] Name : Windows 11 Education N
Index [#6] Name : Windows 11 Pro
Index [#7] Name : Windows 11 Pro N
Index [#8] Name : Windows 11 Pro Education
Index [#9] Name : Windows 11 Pro Education N
Index [10] Name : Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
Index [11] Name : Windows 11 Pro N for Workstations

Select Edition index --> 8
Selected Index: Windows 11 Pro Education
Applying image 8 ("Windows 11 Pro Education") from "E:\sources\install.wim" to directory "g:\"
Creating files: 125392 of 125392 (100%) done
Extracting file data: 8690 MiB of 8690 MiB (100%) done
Applying metadata to files: 125392 of 125392 (100%) done
Done applying WIM image.

$ ------------------------------------------- $
$ Untended file location set to:              $
$ g:\windows\Panther\AutoUnattend.xml         $
$ ------------------------------------------- $

UEFI Patch
Start ShellHWDetection Service
Dismount ISO
Done ...

Press any key to continue . . .

 

I Believe in self learning
Read, understand connection, understand logic
That how you evolve

 

now it fixed, and work as it should,
it just took me couple days of trial & error
but it work ….

 

Changes. (15/10/2022)

Code:

~ add additional fat32 partition, to support legacy boot
  https://forums.mydigitallife.net/threads/79199/
  Update boot/EFI BCD store with new location (rpo script)
  Set legacy boot (freddie-o script)

 

so I made another version [SE]
which will detect both USB / non USB devices
it definitely un-safe, but I was needed it once
to re-install my computer from Portable SSD PE disk
where I wasn't able to install from -
ISO / EXTRERNAL DISK with w10.x setup [both fails with errors]
and I didn't have any backup …
so I was have to figure out a solution fast
it save my ass, so I will share it here too

 

add an helper for -pe option
this helper will copy your $OEM$ folder content to -
external drive where your New Windows install found

Spoiler: Code

Code:

@cls
@echo off
>nul chcp 437
title Copy PE tool
setlocal enabledelayedexpansion

echo:
cd /d "%~dp0"

echo:
echo Make sure to run this script
echo * as Administrator
echo * as Trusted installer
echo:
echo Helper for "USB pe tool"
echo with -PE Parameter
echo:

set Letter=
set /p Letter=Enter Drive Letter:

if defined Letter if exist "!Letter!:\Windows" if /i "!Letter!:" NEQ "%SystemDrive%" (
    echo:
    2>nul md "!Letter!:\windows\Panther"
    xcopy AutoUnattend.xml "!Letter!:\windows\Panther" /g /h /r /y /c /i
    echo:
    2>nul pushd "sources\$OEM$\$$" && (
        xcopy * "!Letter!:\windows" /e /g /h /r /y /c /i
        popd
    )
    echo:
    2>nul pushd "sources\$OEM$\$1" && (
        xcopy * "!Letter!:\" /e /g /h /r /y /c /i
        popd
    )
)

echo:
pause
goto :eof