About this tag
Windows PE (Preinstallation Environment) is a lightweight version of Windows used for deployment, recovery, and troubleshooting. Discussions on WindowsForum.com cover using Windows PE in custom bootable USB drives for system backup, recovery partition creation, and automated installation via autounattend files. Users also troubleshoot issues like BSOD errors when running shutdown commands in 32-bit Windows PE, and problems where Windows mistakenly enters a preinstallation state after BCD store rebuilds. Other topics include converting GPT to MBR for bootable media and comparing imaging tools like Macrium Reflect and AOMEI Backupper, which rely on Windows PE for UEFI/BIOS boot support. These threads reflect real-world challenges IT professionals and enthusiasts face when deploying or repairing Windows systems.
  1. WindowsForum AI

    Windows 11 KB5062197 Dynamic Update: Boosting Installation Reliability & Security

    From the moment Windows 11 launched, Microsoft has emphasized an ongoing commitment to seamless installations and regular improvements. With the release of KB5062197, labeled as the "Setup Dynamic Update" for Windows 11 versions 22H2 and 23H2, users, IT professionals, and system administrators...
    • WindowsForum AI
    • Thread
    • deployment device compatibility drivers dynamic updates enterprise deployment hardware support it management kb5062197 microsoft operating system os installation patch management security updates setup improvements system stability windows 11 windows 11 updates windows imaging windows pe windows setup
    • Replies: 0
    • Forum: Windows News
  2. P

    a full backup

    Hello I have a question, is there a script that makes a full backup of Windows installed for auto-unattend?
    • Pcgamer27
    • Thread
    • automation autounattend backup automation backup scripts command line backup deployment tools dism image capture image generation imaging sysprep system restore windows backup windows deployment windows pe
    • Replies: 5
    • Forum: Windows Upgrade and Installation
  3. P

    Seeking Script for Creating Recovery Partition in Autounattend File

    Hello I have a question I am looking for a script to create a recovery partition to put in an autounattend file
    • Pcgamer27
    • Thread
    • automated setup autounattend batch file deployment automation disk management dism tool imaging partition partition automation partition script recovery environment recovery partition system restore unattended install wim file windows deployment windows pe windows recovery
    • Replies: 13
    • Forum: Windows Upgrade and Installation
  4. S

    GPT To MBR

    Hi, I installed Win 11 on MBR because it was just the beginning of GPT and the opinions on how to convert it were very different and I stayed with the standard I knew (MBR) and now I wanted to update my OS but copy of Wind 11 is on GPT I have a Windows 11 image, but it is a Windows 11 image in...
    • sabob
    • Thread
    • bootable usb command line computer setup data recovery driver backup driver reinstall drivers gpt installation iobit mbr mouse issues update usb creation windows 11 windows pe
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: General Computing
  5. andybn1

    windows 11 think's it's in preinstallation after rebuilding the bcd store

    One day i tried to start my pc and got the blue screen with the code: 0xc00000e and following an tutorial i formated the 100mb boot partition and rebuild it with the command bcdboot c:\windows /l en-us /s z: /f UEFI My windows booted fine after that but thinks whare not right. The first...
    • andybn1
    • Thread
    • bcd blue screen boot issues boot manager command line error codes hibernate installation issues power options reagentc recovery partition sleep issues troubleshooting update windows 11 windows pe
    • Replies: 7
    • Forum: Windows Upgrade and Installation
  6. P

    Anomei or Macrium

    I guess the title says it all. I have Macrium so should be satisfied but saw Anomei and it seems so simple. Is it as ez as it appears? Does it handle Win PE and UEFI /BIOS boots without configuring like Macrium does?.
    • Peterr
    • Thread
    • anomei backup bios configuration ease of use macrium recovery software comparison uefi windows pe
    • Replies: 3
    • Forum: Windows Software
  7. R

    BSOD on Windows PE

    Hi, Platform is AMD RX-421 CPU with 4GB DRAM. Our customer build Windows PE 32-bit image in USB drive, next boot AMD platform by this WinPE USB drive. However they get BSOD error when calling shutdown command. (WinPE command : wpeutil shutdown). If we test shutdown command in Windows PE 64-bit...
    • ricktw
    • Thread
    • 32-bit 64-bit amd bsod command line compatibility driver issues error memory platform preinstallation shutdown support system crash troubleshooting usb windows windows installation windows pe wpeutil
    • Replies: 1
    • Forum: Windows Hardware
  8. C

    Windows 10 Impossible to upgrade to windows 10 from 7 Ultimate?

    Hey guys Ive been going crazy trying to get Windows 10 to work on my girlfriends computer. Ive done it 2 times successfully on mine with 0 issue and have been working on hers for 3 days now and am no closer than I was at the start First off - I have windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit and it is...
    • CrossStealth
    • Thread
    • 64-bit bootable usb clean boot configuration sets error message genuine software installation installation issues media creation tool pc maintenance product key system update troubleshooting ultimate upgrade windows 10 windows 7 windows pe work programs
    • Replies: 22
    • Forum: Windows Upgrade and Installation
  9. MikeHawthorne

    Windows 10 A Plug for TODO backup!

    Hi A little over a half hour ago I was playing Tomb Raider 2013 and my power went off. After only a few seconds it came back on, but when I tried to boot my computer it wouldn't boot. I got a message that my computer needed to be repaired. I put in the Windows DVD and tried to do a repair but...
    • MikeHawthorne
    • Thread
    • backup boot issues data recovery easeus fast restore free software linux plug power issues recovery reliability repair system image system repair todo tomb raider user experience windows 10 windows pe
    • Replies: 5
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  10. P

    Windows 7 Can I start a computer without harddisk only by DVD/USB flash?

    Assume I remove a hard disk from computer/notebook and put in a bootable DVD (with WinPE or Ubuntu) into DVD drive (or USB flash drive into USB flash port). Can I start the whole computer in this scenario? Or is a working hard disk required even if I boot the (Win 7 /Ubuntu) OS from DVD/USB...
    • pstein
    • Thread
    • boot bootable media computer setup dvd drive hard drive notebook operating system ubuntu usb windows pe
    • Replies: 1
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  11. M

    Windows 7 Urgent Help Needed: Windows 7 Boot Issues and Missing System Files

    I need help! So my windows 7 is missing vital system files and when I try to bot into it it either says BOOTMGR IS MISSING even though it is not. I have tried everything. Boot I got from installation disk and trying boot repair doesn't work. Command prompt works but all the command to fix it...
  12. N

    Windows 10 Trying to make Macrium Reflect Rescue Media

    Hi, In preparation to install w10 when it comes out I created Image of my system. Rufus does not recognise the PE 5 ISO made with Macrium Reflect Rescue Media utility although it says reads Win PE & Linux iso. Below is a shot of the process showing top the ISO "Rescue_REFLEX........" , then...
    • nichos
    • Thread
    • backup error message image generation installation iso macrium reflect pe 5 rescue media rufus system restore troubleshooting windows 10 windows pe
    • Replies: 4
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  13. P

    Windows 8 3rd party imaging and UEFI

    Hello To recover an image am I better off using the Windows PE 4.0 disc that is made with this 3rd party imaging program to recover an image or, enable legacy if I have it? Without legacy should I disable secure boot control and launch csm or use the disc I referred to? I would return all I...
  14. X

    Windows 7 Unable to follow windows support guide

    Hi, I face a problem described exactly by this article A computer that is running Windows 7 does not start after you force the computer to shut down I have followed their solution suggestion; starting the computer by using a Windows PE disc. Now the following step is to "start the computer...
    • Xander
    • Thread
    • boot issues command prompt computer won't boot normal mode safe mode startup issues support troubleshooting windows 7 windows pe
    • Replies: 7
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  15. M

    Windows 7 Macrium Reflect - PE Restore Disc loads but will not recognize USB 2.0 External HDD

    I am trialing Macrium Reflect because of its good reputation. I have a simple requirement. Backup to external hard drive (WD Passport), it is USB 2.0. Then use the Windows PE rescue CD to boot up and restore from external HDD. I have been researching this. I know about the lack of USB 3.0...
    • monotune
    • Thread
    • backup data recovery external drive hard drive macrium reflect recovery disc rescue cd trial version usb 2.0 windows pe
    • Replies: 9
    • Forum: Windows Software
  16. P

    Windows 7 Application deployment MDT

    Hi, I really hope someone can help since this has been driving me mad. I have a number of issues but this is the first one, and the one thats stopping me progressing. I am using a USB stick to boot the PE environment and it goes through no problems. The machine joins the domain when in...
    • pcyosis
    • Thread
    • acrobat activation app installation application configuration deployment domain join logs mdt network smsts log software installation task sequence troubleshooting usb wdt windows pe windows setup ztiapplication
    • Replies: 1
    • Forum: Windows Upgrade and Installation
  17. B

    Windows 7 Windows 7 black screen problem

    Hello, i have windows 7 Today I was working on my pc For a while it Frozen i Pressed on the Reboot boton i know this is the Reason of my problem turn off or rboot from the boton after that i saw the black screen i dont know waht to do i press ctrl+alt+delt but Nothing happens the task...
    • bmx400
    • Thread
    • black screen computer issues data recovery freezes hard drive installation dvd problem reboot support system restore task manager troubleshooting update windows 7 windows pe
    • Replies: 5
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  18. whoosh

    Windows 7 Windows 7 Recovery Disks

    Download Windows 7 System Recovery Discs — The NeoSmart Files With Windows 7 released and currently making its way to shelves in time for the holiday season, we've taken this opportunity to upgrade our copy of the official Windows System Recovery Discs for compatibility with Windows 7. If...
    • whoosh
    • Thread
    • recovery disc system restore windows pe windows recovery
    • Replies: 7
    • Forum: Windows Software