Hey guys, Anyone know which components you can safely remove from windows 7 wim, to make the ISO a little smaller ?. Here's my problem i have a fully updated windows 7 ISO, but it's nearly 5 gig and i cant burn it on to a DVD. Thank you
I have just been on with making a new updated Win 7 image. To keep the install.wim under 4GB the first thing I do is to extract the Ultimate index only. To this .wim image I add the latest Windows Update Client along with the latest IE 11 and its updates. Finally I add some LAN drivers. After doing a test install I run WU and make a list of the updates I want. Then through the Microsoft Update Catalogue I manually download my required updates. I manage to integrate all the important updates making sure not to exceed 4GB image size. This leaves me with about 50 to 60 optional updates. ( minus any telemetry based ones ) I then take these updates and extract the .cab files from the .msu. On doing a fresh install I use DISM /online to integrate all these cab files. I know this is the long way round but I like how DISM installs the updates and I like how it shows the progress of them all. Then it is a simple matter of rebooting, running WU ( set to Check For Updates only ) and seeing if any new ones have popped up. Hiding any telemetry ones. It don't take too long for DISM to install 50 to 60 updates. At the end a fully up to date machine. Maybe a bit long winded for some but I rather like doing it this way. A really controlled way of installing what updates I want to. Never messed about trying to take things out of Win 7 but after messing with Win 8.1 and Win 10 removing packages does not seem to make the image size smaller at all. just what I have noticed, others may have seen a different outcome. Maybe time to ditch using discs. Start to use a USB, 16GB is a good size to have. Then adding or replacing the install.wim files is easy. Does not help with keeping the .wim file under 4GB though. That is down to a fat32 file system.
Thx for the reply, USB don't last that long at all for me. I had a Kingston, Sandisk Cruzer they just stop working after few months. Anyway i think i'll just do it your way and keep it under 4Gb, Thx again.
Another alternative is to use a dual layer DVD, holds 8.5gb. USB is the quicker and easier option though.
Thx for your reply, Yep i could use a dual layer, but i normally keep the windows 7 ISO updated and keep burning it to a DVD-RW. But with all the security, features and optional updates its gone to nearly 5 gig.
Sorry I completely forgot that... Btw do you think Dism++ is completely reliable for such task on Windows 7?