install_wim_tweaker - How does it unhide\hide the packages ?

Discussion in 'Scripting' started by tnx, Aug 22, 2015.

  1. tnx

    tnx MDL Expert

    Sep 2, 2008
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    Hi all.

    been messing with Win 10 and making my own custom image.
    Been using DISM to remove various packages and also been giving DISM a boost as it were from the install_wim_tweaker .

    Does anybody know what the process is of un-hiding all those packages allowing them to be removed, then re-hiding them.

    Can this be achieved by a .cmd script ?

    :tea:
     
  2. Yasser Da Silva

    Yasser Da Silva MDL Senior Member

    Mar 15, 2015
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  3. MSMG

    MSMG MDL Developer

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    #4 MSMG, Aug 22, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    Command to List all the Packages present in the Image and store the list in packages.txt file :

    Code:
    install_wim_tweak.exe /p <MountDir> /l
    Command to UnHde All Packages in the Image :

    Code:
    install_wim_tweak.exe /p <MountDir>
    Command to Hide All Packages in the Image :

    Code:
    install_wim_tweak.exe /p <MountDir> /h

    Command to UnHide a particular Package from an Image :


    Code:
    install_wim_tweak.exe /p <MountDir> /c <PackageName> 
    Command to UnHide and remove a particular Package from an Image :

    Code:
    install_wim_tweak.exe /p <MountDir> /c <PackageName> /r
    Command to UnHide a particular Package and removing the same Package using DISM from an Image :

    Code:
    install_wim_tweak.exe /p <MountDir> /c <PackageName>
    
    dism.exe /Image:<MountDir> /Remove-Package /PackageName:<PackageName>


    Yes you can use command script to achieve the same.



     
  4. abbodi1406

    abbodi1406 MDL KB0000001

    Feb 19, 2011
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    #5 abbodi1406, Aug 22, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    I think the OP is asking how install_wim_tweak itself unhide the packages and allowing them to be removed, not how to use install_wim_tweak :rolleyes:

    the process rely on this registry path:
    Code:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Component Based Servicing\Packages
    which holds all packages informations (including updates)

    what install_wim_tweak do is:
    - change Visibility value to 1
    - remove package subkey Owners

    it can be done with a script, but will need SetACL.exe tool to get registry permissions (it's restricted to TrustedInstaller)

    the tool itself is an auto advanced script :D
     
  5. tnx

    tnx MDL Expert

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    #6 tnx, Aug 22, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    (OP)
    Yep. this is the info I was after.


    Thanks guys, I did know how to use it but I wanted to know what it did.

    I don't know who made that little .exe and I always seem to have my suspicions on what else it is doing that I don't know about.
    Not saying this little app is bad but, well you know what I mean..:cool:
     
  6. tnx

    tnx MDL Expert

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  7. tnx

    tnx MDL Expert

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    Not a super script bloke but me thinks I will mount an install.wim image.
    mount the reg hive, take a look at

    May even export it.

    then run the tweaker to un-hide the packages and take a second look and see if I can spot the differences. ( Bet not, but fun to try ):eek:
     
  8. abbodi1406

    abbodi1406 MDL KB0000001

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  9. tnx

    tnx MDL Expert

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    #10 tnx, Aug 22, 2015
    Last edited: Aug 23, 2015
    (OP)
    Been messing and found summet very interesting..

    Once the install.wim is mounted it has nothing to do with mounting the reg hive.:eek:

    Let me see if I can explain what I did. ( not right good at this bit ):eek:

    Mount install.wim

    run this .cmd
    this gives you this
    ONLY COPIED THE TOP THREE --- OK..

    with the install.wim still mounted run REGEDIT

    highlight
    select File > load hive

    The navigate to your mounted install.wim image and navigate to
    in my case
    select
    the Open
    Give this a name. I just used "a"

    the navigate the registry to
    I selected the top one "Flash player"
    I took FULL CONTROLL of that reg entry and changed the visibility to 1

    IMPORTANT BIT

    UN LOAD THE NEW REG ENTRY i.e "a"
    Highlight it - File > Un Load Hive

    Run this command again
    This gave me

    Notice the new package - Flash Player is now visible

    Now I am NO expert but I think that is how the install_wim_tweaker un hides and re hides the packages..

    How does this read ?
    How does this sound ?
     
  10. tnx

    tnx MDL Expert

    Sep 2, 2008
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    Doing all that above still does not allow me to remove that package

    Just brought errors up...

    maybe one step further..

    May try it on a package I know I have removed already, with help from the tweaker.exe. The one drive package..

    fun to try..
     
  11. abbodi1406

    abbodi1406 MDL KB0000001

    Feb 19, 2011
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    :)

    ........
     
  12. tnx

    tnx MDL Expert

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    I see your smiley face....

    I see "- remove package subkey Owners"

    But do I have to add this as a new key ?:confused:
     
  13. tnx

    tnx MDL Expert

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    #14 tnx, Aug 22, 2015
    Last edited: Aug 22, 2015
    (OP)
    I have not seen such a key in the reg ?

    I SEE IT..

    doh....

    cheers
     
  14. tnx

    tnx MDL Expert

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    BINGO

    Man that was it.....

    I bow down to you abbodi1406:worthy:
     
  15. Mr.X

    Mr.X MDL Guru

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    Yes, as usual abbodi did it. Me too! :worthy:
     
  16. tnx

    tnx MDL Expert

    Sep 2, 2008
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    Pretty excited at this..

    I just managed to remove the flash player package...


    JUST FOR THE RECORD...Chose the Flash player because it was the very first one. I have no intention of permanently removing this package.........



    Exactly what I wanted to do...:D


    :clap: :clap: :clap:
     
  17. tnx

    tnx MDL Expert

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    Well id one more test, just to make sure.

    I tested it out on a fresh install.wim image.

    Went through the whole process and removed the flash player package.

    un mounted with commit.
    Re-mounted the image

    Checked the registry of the mounted image for the flash package - GONE
    made a list and it was GONE

    Checked it with the tweaker .exe, it made a list and it was GONE.

    So really happy, so far. No idea of how to turn my steps into a .cmd but hey. I managed to succeed on doing it manually.

    Now I know how the .exe does it. ( sort of ) :D

    it does it a darn sight faster too but I ain't after that, I wouldn't mind taking half hour or more in un hiding and removing all the packages I want to. Once its done and tested, won't need to do it very often at all. if ever again ?