Integrate updates into the Windows 7 image.

Hi all! In this article I want to tell you how to easily and simply integrate the necessary updates into the Windows distribution and subsequently, after reinstalling the system, not waste time on it.

I decided to deal with this issue after reinstalling Windows on one laptop, all the necessary updates were downloaded as expected and even began to be installed, but when the computer rebooted, it could not install them and began to cancel them.

At the stage of canceling updates, the laptop simply froze and the system would not boot any further. After that, I thought of solving this issue differently.

Of course, someone will say that you don’t need to download system updates at all, but I have a different opinion and believe that at least critical updates should be installed after reinstalling the system. So, let's get down to the process itself.

We will need:

Windows 7 distribution
UltraIso program
Windows Update Pack

First, in the crown of drive C, create a folder W7. Next, open the Windows image with UltraIso and find the file in the sources folder install.wim.

We put this file in the W7 folder.

This is what the folder should look like

The updates themselves can be downloaded from this forum. Now we launch the command line, to do this, click the Start button and in the search form write the command cmd.
Now actually on the command line we write this code and press Enter

Dism /Get-WimInfo /WimFile:C:\W7\install.wim

It is not necessary to write it, you can simply select it with the mouse, copy and paste it into the window command line. Next we will be shown the indexes of all Windows that are contained in our distribution. If you want to integrate updates into all versions, then write the following code and press Enter

By the way, read this article too: How to glue photos in paint

C:\W7\UpdatePack7R2.exe /WimFile=C:\W7\install.wim /Index=*

If you need to integrate updates into only one edition of Windows, then instead of an asterisk at the end of the code, put its index.

As a result, you will be given a report that will tell you how the integration of updates went.

After this, we go to our W7 folder and notice that our install.wim file has noticeably gained weight. Now run UltraIso again and drag our new file install.wim back to folder sources, to the question about replacement we answer Yes!

After all the manipulations in the UltraIso program, press the button file>save, or press the keyboard shortcut ctrl+s. All!

The output is a system distribution with integrated updates. Now you can safely write it to a disk or flash drive and safely install the system! Thank you all for your attention!

If anyone has any questions, you can watch the video at Youtube channel of this blog. Good luck to everyone!

By manipulating the Windows installation image we mean adding or removing individual components operating system even before its installation. The point is to add components (for example, drivers or service packs) to the distribution (usually a file with an ISO extension) without the help of Microsoft specialists.

Such an operation can be carried out using a specialized software. When and why might this be needed? In a variety of circumstances and for a variety of Windows users. Primarily for those who need to integrate updates into their existing Windows 7 image.

A variety of circumstances can prompt you to modify your image. For example:

You are trying to install Windows 7 on a laptop you just purchased and discover that the installation process fails with an error indicating missing drivers.
You are doing a mass installation of an OS on many computers in an organization.
Having created a working environment that is convenient for you, you would like to save it for future use and receive a suitable environment for yourself immediately after installation.
You have a Windows distribution without the latest service packs and would like to include them on the installation disc.

In all these cases, it would be advisable for you to obtain a modified Windows distribution image with a personalized configuration.

A little history and where is information about the download process stored?

From the very moment NT model operating systems appeared, tools began to be supplied with them for automatic installation of the system on one or many computers. For example, Windows 2000 contained quite developed tools for this purpose. Those who have installed the OS from a regular installation disk manually know well that during the installation process the operating system requires the user to answer a number of questions regarding the installation location, such as file system and some other parameters. Automatic installation of the system implies that the answers to these questions are pre-recorded in separate file, which is called “response file”.

If this file is included in the installation image and contains all the necessary answers - the installation can occur automatically or hide its individual stages from the user. It would seem, what does all this have to do with the stated topic? The most direct.

If you add it to the distribution additional components(drivers, service packs, etc.), and also tell the installer where these updates are located and what to do with them - you can get an image with the required characteristics. Those. integrate updates directly into the Windows installer.

What do "response files" look like and what is wim?

In modern Windows 7 distributions (made as an iso image), the response file is a regular xml document called autounattend.xml, located at the root of the image file hierarchy. The installation package itself is represented by two files with the wim extension - boot.wim and install.wim. the first is responsible for the initial boot, and the second contains the actual system to be installed. Wim files are essentially containers for other files included in the operating system image. Therefore, you can add or remove individual components to them, thereby forming an instance of Windows with the necessary internal content.

Further work on modifying the system is as follows:

The Windows ISO file is unpacked with a suitable archiver into a separate folder.
The necessary components and updates are added to it.
The nuances of installing these updates are written in the “answer file”
All this is packed back into the ISO box, ready for use.

The result is a ready-made installer with necessary updates. It should be borne in mind that in the general case, this kind of integration requires certain, sometimes quite small, knowledge. The answer file can be generated automatically during the system installation process - but this is not our case because we want to achieve more than just automatic installation, and get a distribution kit with updates.

From theory to practice

Some Windows users 7 encountered approximately the following situation (it is very reminiscent of the story of the inability to install the “seven” on new laptop): after the next automatic update and rebooting the computer - the system refuses to start in the new configuration and simply freezes at the startup stage. One solution to this problem is to download the update package from the Internet and integrate it directly into the OS image. There is no need to be scared in advance - you will not need to create and edit “answer files” for this purpose. In this case, everything turns out to be much simpler, although everything happens according to the scheme described above.

What do we need? Firstly, - good program for working with disk images, like the widely used free utility “Ultraiso”. And, secondly, a little ingenuity and accuracy. Below are step-by-step instructions:

Open the image in ultraiso.
Create a separate folder.
We put install.wim from the iso file there. You should look for it in the /source folder.
We put the file with the service pack there.
Open a command line window and enter the command to view all editions of Windows integrated into our image (usually there are several of them). The command looks like this:

Dism /Get-WimInfo /WimFile: …\install.wim (instead of three dots, write the path to install.wim)

And then we roll up the service pack into one or all editions at once. To integrate across all editions, in the same command window, type something like:

…\UpdatePack7R2.exe /WimFile=…\install.wim /Index=*

During the modification process, the system will display message windows.

We transfer the new install.wim to the iso file in place of the old one.

That's the whole wisdom of integrating packages into an image.

For all this we will use the RT Se7en Lite utility. If you previously used nLite for Windows XP or vLite for Windows Vista, then RT Se7en Lite will seem familiar to you. RT Se7en Lite is a variation of vLite or nLite for Windows 7.

To create installation disk, you will need Windows 7 installed on your computer. You will also have to download and install the Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK) for Windows 7 from Microsoft - RT Se7en Lite is a friendlier version of WAIK.

WAIK is 1.7GB in size, so it may take you a while to download. After downloading the program, extract it using an archiver like 7-Zip.

You will also need a Windows 7 distribution - either a physical disk or ISO file.

Next, download and install RT Se7en Lite. The utility is free, although you can donate any amount to its fund if you wish. When downloading the utility, take into account your version of Windows - x86 when using 32-bit Windows or x64 when using 64-bit.

Using RT Se7en Lite

To get started, click on the Browse button and go to your Windows 7 distribution. If you have an ISO file, then select Select ISO file and go to it. If you have a Windows 7 installation disk, then insert it, click Select OS path, and go to it.

When using an ISO file, you will have to specify the exact path to extract it. To do this, you will need several free gigabytes on your hard drive.

The ISO files will be extracted automatically.

After selecting the desired edition of Windows 7, RT Se7en Lite will allow you to create your customized image. So, if your Windows 7 installation disk does not contain Service Pack 1, then using the Slipstream Service Pack option in the “Select an image to configure” window you can integrate SP1 into it.

Click on the Task panel and select the tasks you want to perform with your custom image. To do this, you can check the necessary boxes or select a ready-made preset. Checking the boxes will activate the corresponding configuration panel on the left.

The Integration panel allows you to integrate to your installation disk Windows updates, drivers, language packs and even third party applications. To integrate updates, you will have to download their distributions and upload them to RT Seven Lite using the Add button.

On the Features Removal or Components tab, you can permanently remove from your installation Windows disk unnecessary components and add the necessary capabilities. So, for example, you can remove games from your installation disk, or force Windows to install the IIS web server by default.

The Tweaks settings tab allows you to customize the panel settings Windows management, desktop, explorer and a number of others Windows components. You can even add your own registry settings to customize other settings not listed.

The Unattended section allows you to create a maintenance-free installation disk - you answer all the installation questions in advance, after which Windows will install automatically without asking you.

So, for example, you can enter your product key in advance so that Windows won't ask you for it later. Other sections allow you to control other settings. For example, you can specify hard drive, on which Windows will be installed. If you answer all the questions, Windows will install automatically, without asking you any questions, and allowing you to walk away from the computer altogether.

The Customization panel allows you to add your own screensaver, wallpaper, themes, documents, and even a Windows login picture to your installation disk.

In the ISO Bootable panel, you can create an ISO image from your custom installation disk. You can also cut it into a DVD or copy it to a bootable USB flash drive.

The developers of RT Se7en Lite recommend trying their customized Windows 7 image on virtual machine. Just to make sure everything works. And then feel free to use it in real life. For testing, you can use VirtualBox or VMware Player - both programs are free.

Hello friends! It's no secret that the operating room Windows system 7 is still very popular and many users whose computers are 7-compatible keep Win 7 as a second or even the main operating system on their computer. Knowing about the undying popularity of the old system, back in the summer Microsoft released for it a very convenient cumulative update package “Rollup Update” (or update KB3125574), which received the unofficial name - Service Pack 2, since it contains all the most important updates since 2011. This cumulative package is very convenient, because everyone knows that immediately after installation on a computer, Windows 7 begins to download a lot of updates and install them with a whole series of reboots, which is very inconvenient for the user. Another thing is that immediately after installing the system, roll out the Rollup Update cumulative package with all the updates and work quietly. In one of our previous articles, we discussed , but I wonder if it’s possible to integrate this cumulative package into the OS distribution so that after installation all updates are already installed in the operating system. We will talk about this in today's article.

Integration of the cumulative update package “Rollup Update” KB3125574 into the Windows 7 distribution package

Right-click on the downloaded archive with the WinToolkit 1.5 program and select “7-Zip” --> “Unpack”

I'll unzip the program to partition (E:).

I launch the WinToolkit 1.5 program.

Click on the ISO Maker button to create an image containing all editions of Windows 7

Click on the top button “Browse”

In the explorer that opens, find on disk (E:) the folder “1” with Windows files 7, select it with the left mouse and click the “Select folder” button

Click on the bottom button “Browse”

In the explorer that opens, select the save location future Windows ISO images 7 (section E:) And give it a name“Win7”, then click “Save”

Click on the “Create ISO” button

and the process begins ISO creation Windows 7 image

ISO image of Windows 7 64-bit with integrated updates is ready!

and is located on drive (E:).

Installing Windows 7 with integrated Rollup Updates on another computer

After successful installation, go to Windows Update and look at the installed updates.

We see that our integrated updates were installed along with the operating system.

Return to the previous window and click on the “Check for updates” button

Windows 7 starts searching for updates.

And updates are coming. Click on the “Install updates” button

Accept the terms of the license agreement and click “Finish”

Updates are being installed.

After installing the updates, the system asks to reboot.

Setting up updates begins.

Each of us is faced with a situation where reinstalling the operating system (OS) is inevitable. Usually, we take out a dusty purchased disk with Windows, insert it into a CD/DVD-ROM, start the installation, give our name account and the computer, and... let's go have tea! After all, it’s time to install updates.

And now, it would seem, the usual procedure for reinstalling the OS takes at least an hour (even with quick access on the Internet), because updates for the same Windows 7 since the release of Service Pack 1 have already accumulated more than ~1.5 gigabytes. And there is still driver installation ahead. Of course, you can download the 16-in-one image from the nearest torrent tracker, where all updates, drivers, and a bunch of other “useful software” will be integrated.

But we're gentlemen here, aren't we?

To simplify and speed up the reinstallation procedure, tools such as: RT Se7en Lite, WinToolKit And Windows Download Integrator (WDI).
The article will focus on the latter, using the example of integrating current updates (more than 300) into the original image Microsoft Windows 7 SP1 x64.

Why Windows Download Integrator?

This tool was chosen for several objective reasons:

Windows OS support starting from Windows Vista and ending Windows 8
Automatic download and integration of language packs, updates for Windows and Microsoft Office.
Backup of drivers installed in the system and their subsequent integration into a clean OS image.
Ability to create an answer file and install automatically.
Unlock all OS editions in one image.
Export to ISO and burn to USB drive out of the box.
You can't make ZverDVD, i.e. cram a bunch of software and left-handed drivers.
And much more...

Although WDI appeared relatively later than its competitors, the program already surpasses them in capabilities and is actively developing. Thanks to the guys from the My Digital Life forums.

Let's get down to business

What do we need?

ISO image of Windows Vista/7/8, preferably from a purchased disk, but you can use original images from MSDN (be sure to check the checksums!).
A set of updates in .MSU / .CAB format. You can download them directly from WDI or manually using WUD.
Current version Windows Download Integrator.
Free space on your hard drive (3 gigabytes or more).
More than 1 hour of free processor time.

Instructions for use

One of the disadvantages of WDI is its scant documentation, or rather its complete absence. In the archive with the program you will find only yourself executable file and a list of changes to the current version. All. Coupled with the second drawback - a very unobvious interface, this can cause some problems. But there are no unsolvable problems.

Loading the necessary components

All components necessary for integration can be downloaded out of the box, you just need to find the menu...

The main menu is circled in red (what did I say about the non-obvious interface?).

To download language packs, use the “Download language packs” menu item.
To download updates, use the “Download Windows updates” menu item.
(Optional) To create backup copy installed drivers- menu item “Backup Drivers”.

We carefully arrange all the loaded stuff into folders.

Selecting a source

Click on the inscription Click to select DVD source!, answer affirmatively to the question “Would you like to select an ISO image?”.
(!) By answering “No” in this window, we can immediately select the unpacked ISO.
Select a folder to unpack the ISO. In the future, you can immediately specify this folder.

Choosing editors

In the window that appears, you can unlock the OS editions required for installation:

Integration of updates, language packs

In the next step, we can integrate the necessary language packs, updates, drivers, as well as change the installation screensaver and even import tweaks (I can’t imagine who might need this).

Here everything is more or less clear. Click on the “Add” button and select previously downloaded files.
(!) We check the LDR Mode checkbox on the Updates tab if desired. You can find out more about the difference in installation.

(!) I do not specifically touch on the last 4 tabs (starting with Drivers). We want to get a “clean” image that is closest to the original?

After all the necessary changes, click the familiar button, which has moved to the upper right corner.

Integration process

Quite boring. There is no need to sit and look at the progress bar; you can go about your business for the next hour. The integration process itself occurs in 2 stages, upon completion of which a dialog box will appear saying “Success” (or not) with information about the time spent on the operation. For me, the integration operation of more than 300 updates took about 1 hour (1 hour 16 minutes, to be more precise).

Export to ISO / Burn to USB

After integration is complete finished image can be exported to ISO (menu item “Create ISO”) or directly written to a USB drive (menu item “USB Tool”).

Results

As a result, after spending an hour of time, we received an up-to-date image with Windows OS, close to the original, for the contents of which only we ourselves are responsible. No unnecessary software or drivers, no boring wallpaper - everything is only the most important and necessary.

Integrate updates into the Windows 7 image.

A little history and where is information about the download process stored?

What do "response files" look like and what is wim?

From theory to practice

Using RT Se7en Lite