Skip to main content

🛠️ Imaging a Physical Workstation (On-Prem)

Boot Path Best For
USB – Hiren’s BootCD PE Networks without PXE/TFTP, restricted sites, one-off repairs
PXE – netboot.xyz Managed staging rooms, bulk imaging, fastest hands-off

1. 💽 Build a Hiren’s BootCD PE USB (once)

A Windows 11 PE desktop packed with DISM, WinNTSetup, PENetwork, Macrium Reflect, etc.—ideal for troubleshooting and imaging.

1.1 Download the tools

(Optional) verify the ISO hash:

certutil -hashfile HBCD_PE_x64.iso SHA256
:: Expected SHA-256:
:: 8c4c670c9c84d6c4b5a9c32e0aa5a55d8c23de851d259207d54679ea774c2498

1.2 Write the USB with Rufus

Insert an 8 GB+ flash drive and run Rufus (no install needed).
Press Alt + E once to enable dual UEFI/BIOS support (status bar confirms).
Click SELECT → choose HBCD_PE_x64.iso.
Set Partition scheme = MBR and File system = FAT32
(or Large FAT32 if the drive ≥ 32 GB).
Label the drive (e.g., HBCD_PE) → START → wait ~10 min → safely eject.

2. 🚀 Boot the Workstation

Option A — USB (Hiren’s PE)

  • Plug in the prepared USB.
  • Power on and tap the boot-menu key (F12, F10, Esc, etc.) or move USB to the top of the boot order.
  • Choose UEFI: <Flash Drive>. Hiren’s PE loads into RAM.

At the PE desktop:

  • Launch PENetwork if DHCP/Wi-Fi isn’t automatic.
  • Open Command Prompt (Win + R → cmd) and continue to Step 3.

Option B — PXE (netboot.xyz)

  • Ensure UEFI PXE is enabled and first in the boot list.
  • Boot; boot.netboot.xyz downloads via DHCP/TFTP.
  • Menu path: Utilities → Windows → Windows PE → choose amd64.
  • Windows PE loads—continue to Step 3.

3. 🔌 Map the On-Prem File Share Containing the WIM Images

net use Y: \\qnap-4736\backups\images /user:DOMAIN\username password

✅ Your image file (e.g., Y:\windows.wim) should now be accessible.
(Modify the UNC path and credentials to match the site.)

4. 🧹 Prepare the Disk (DiskPart)

‼️ Confirm the target disk for the OS before wiping:

diskpart
list disk              :: Note sizes & media type
select disk <n>        :: Replace <n> with the correct index
detail disk            :: Double-check before proceeding

Proceed only when you’re certain you’ve selected the right drive:

clean
convert gpt

create partition efi size=4096
format quick fs=fat32 label="System"
assign letter=S

create partition primary size=4096
format quick fs=ntfs label="Recovery"
set id=de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac
gpt attributes=0x8000000000000001

create partition primary
format quick fs=ntfs label="Windows"
assign letter=C

exit

5. 📦 Apply the Windows Image

dism /Apply-Image /ImageFile:Y:\windows.wim /Index:1 /ApplyDir:C:\

(Change /Index if the .wim holds multiple images.)

6. 🥾 Make the System Bootable

bcdboot C:\Windows /s S: /f UEFI

🔖 Quick-Reference Card

Task Command / Action
Map share net use Y: \\qnap-4736\backups\images …
Verify target disk diskpart → list disk / detail disk
Apply image dism /Apply-Image …
Fix boot bcdboot C:\Windows /s S: /f UEFI
Build Hiren’s USB Rufus: Alt + E, MBR + FAT32

Tip: Keep both the Hiren’s USB and PXE workflows handy—use whichever reaches Windows PE fastest on the day.

No comments to display

Back to top