Windows Preinstallation Environment
Wikipedia: Windows Preinstallation Environment
Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE) is a lightweight version of Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 or Windows Vista that is used for the deployment of workstations and servers. It is intended as a 32-bit or 64-bit replacement for MS-DOS during the installation phase of Windows, and can be booted via PXE, CD-ROM, USB flash drive or hard disk. Traditionally used by large corporations and OEMs (to preinstall Windows client operating systems to PCs during manufacturing), it is now widely available free of charge via the Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK).
Windows PE 2.0, built for Windows Vista, is available for download as part of the Business Desktop Deployment (BDD 2007) solution, available here.
WinBuilder
Website: WinBuilder
Wikipedia: WinBuilder
Download: WinBuilder
WinBuilder is a free application designed to build and customize boot disks (Live CDs) based on Microsoft Windows.
The main advantage of WinBuilder is the relative ease of use, friendly GUI, and the ongoing community effort to further automate and develop the customization of these boot disks[citation needed].
Boot disks are based on projects and scripts that can produce very different results, depending on the expected result from the end user.
VistaPE
Website: VistaPE
Wikipedia: VistaPE
Download: VistaPE
VistaPE is a project (set of scripts) for WinBuilder to create a Live CD based on the kernel of Windows Vista.
VistaPE uses technology and largely resembles WinPE 2.0 (from Microsoft), but has a graphical shell, expanded set of supported devices and functions, and can run almost any Windows program.
BartPE
Website: BartPE
Wikipedia: BartPE (PE Builder)
Download: PE Builder
BartPE (Bart’s Preinstalled Environment) is a Live CD/ Live USB version of the Microsoft Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 32bit operating systems.
Reatogo-X-PE
Website: Reatogo-X-PE
Wikipedia: Reatogo-X-PE
Download: Reatogo-X-PE
Reatogo-X-PE is a Live CD builder. It can create a Live CD of Windows XP and is based on BartPE. Currently (as of June, 2008) it is the most complete Live CD of Windows XP, since it includes the Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer, things other XP Live CDs don’t include.
Ultimate Boot CD for Windows
Website: Ultimate Boot CD for Windows
Download: Ultimate Boot CD for Windows
UBCD4Win is a bootable recovery CD that contains software used for repairing, restoring, or diagnosing almost any computer problem. Our goal is to be the most complete and easy to use free computer diagnostic tool. Almost all software included in UBCD4Win are freeware utilities for Windows®. Some of the tools inlcuded are “free for personal use” copies so users need to respect these licenses. A few of the tools included in UBCD4Win are paid for and licensed software owned by UBCD4win. On occasion we work with software companies/authors for permission to include their software in our download or have requested their software better support PE. Users can freely share copies of UBCD4Win with friends but selling UBCD4Win for a profit is not acceptable. We have worked hard for many years helping people for free with this project, others should not make money from our hard work. If you are a dialup user having a hard time downloading UBCD4Win, please visit our ordering page. UBCD4Win is based on Bart’s PE©. Bart’s PE© builds a Windows® “pre-install” environment CD, basically a simple Windows® XP booted from CD. UBCD4Win includes network support and allows you the ability to modify NTFS volumes, recover deleted files, create new NTFS volumes, scan hard drives for viruses, etc. Our download includes almost everything you need to repair your system problems. This project has been put together to be the ultimate recovery cd and not a replacement OS (Operating System). Please visit the “List of Tools” page for a complete list of what is included in the latest version of UBCD4Win.
Hiren’s boot CD
Website: Hiren’s boot CD
Download: Hiren’s boot CD
Download: Hiren’s boot CD
Hiren’s Boot CD is a live CD containing various diagnostic programs such as partitioning agents, system performance benchmarks, disk cloning and imaging tools, data recovery tools, MBR tools, BIOS tools, and many others for fixing various computer problems. As it is a bootable CD, it can be useful even if the primary operating system cannot be booted. Hiren’s Boot CD has an extensive list of software. Utilities with similar functionality on the CD are grouped together and seem redundant; however, they present choices through different UI’s and options in what they can do.
MiniPE
MiniPE is basically a live Windows XP CD that allows you to fix your operating system, get rid of virus’, fix disk drives, connect to remote computers, and about anything else you would need to do…all without having to have XP running on the machine you want to use it on. Over 100 tools included on this disk….
This CD is meant to “autoboot” meaning that when the CD is placed in the tray, and your computer is rebooted or turned off/on, the system will boot to the OS located on the CD. You may have to change some BIOS settings if your computer does not look to the CD before the HD for system booting. You may also have to press a key during boot to bring up a menu to choose your boot device.
Diamond BootCD (Hiren’s BootCD + miniPE-XT + Ultimate BootCD)
Download: Diamond BootCD 1.00 (Hiren’s BootCD 8.2 + miniPE-XT 2k6.05.24 + Ultimate BootCD 3.4)
Download: Diamond BootCD 1.04 (Hiren’s BootCD 9.5 + miniPE-XT 2k5.09.03-XT [Update 26.03.08])
