Table of content
Table of content
1 Software presentation............................................................................................................. 1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Purpose of this software ................................................................................................. 1 What it can do ................................................................................................................. 2 What it cannot do ............................................................................................................ 2 Functionalities ................................................................................................................. 3 Windows 7 ............................................................................................................... 3 Windows 8 ............................................................................................................... 4
Requirement .................................................................................................................... 4 Select the right package version...................................................................................... 5 Using Windows 8? Read this! ................................................................................ 5
1.6.1 1.7
Supported partition layout .............................................................................................. 6 MBR WIM with Recovery tools (Windows 7 and Windows 8) ............................. 6 UEFI WIM with Recovery tools (Windows 7 and Windows 8) .............................. 6 MBR WIM on the last partition (Windows8 only) ................................................ 6 UEFI WIM on the last partition (Windows 8 only) ................................................ 6 Partition types ......................................................................................................... 7
Installation ............................................................................................................................... 8 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Preparing the USB drive .................................................................................................. 8 Installing Windows .......................................................................................................... 8 Installing the recovery tools ............................................................................................ 9 Step by step installation ................................................................................................ 10
5.1 5.2 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Splash Image (Logo)............................................................................................................... 19 Translation ............................................................................................................................. 19 Frequently asked questions................................................................................................... 20 Technical support .................................................................................................................. 21 Change log ......................................................................................................................... 21 Credits and thanks ............................................................................................................. 22 Licensing ............................................................................................................................ 23
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1 Software presentation
1.1 Purpose of this software
Computers, we use them every day. To check our mails, play games, do homework. We used them so much that, sometime, we forget that they are like car and that they may broke, suddenly, without warning, and this normally happen when you have something important to do. Now, your computer does not boot anymore. What can you do? Reinstall Windows? It will take hours with the time required to reinstall all your drivers and required apps. And if you don't know how to do it, you will have to bring it to the computer store. But, it may be closed or they may have too much computer to repair and you will have to wait several days. It would be easier to repair it automatically whit the press of a button or by connecting an USB drive, no? Well, that is exactly what I am offering you. A small software that can help you automatically repair and reinstall your Windows installation. And as a bonus, it can do all that without deleting your personal data. And if you can't wait to complete the recovery process, you can still access your files off-line to copy them to an USB drive so you can continue working on another computer. But be warned! This solution is not made to do full system backup. Rather, it has been made to allow you to bring back your Windows installation to the working state it was when the recovery image was made. If you made it 6 month ago, you will have to reinstall everything that changed since then. The only exception here is under Windows 8 that supports custom "Refresh" point, which is a custom recovery point for your Windows installation. Also, this recovery image must be done during a new installation of Windows. If Windows is already installed on your computer, you won't be able to create the recovery image.
1.4 Functionalities
1.4.1 Windows 7 Under Windows 7, the recovery tools will give you the following options: A central place from where you can access recovery options, including o Recovery media creator Can create a USB key to be used to restore the computer o Launch recovery environment Reboot the computer in the recovery environment o Launch Windows backup This will allows you to backup your personal files, programs and settings
The recovery environment, either booted from the recovery partition or the USB recovery media will give you the following options: Option to repair your computer o Repair boot option o Use system restore to go back to a snapshot made by Windows System recovery o Use a custom recovery image you may have created using the backup software built into Windows Reinstall Windows o Move the previous installation and you personal file to the Windows.Old folder and then reinstall Windows from the recovery image on the recovery partition DoubleCommander file browser o Access your file off-line. Useful if your computer can not boot and you dont have time to repair it right now. This will allows you to copy your personal file to a USB key to continue working on another computer. o For security reason, the file browser will require you to authenticate with an administrator account from the Windows installation
Please note that Windows 7, opposed to Windows 8, does not gives you the option to do a full reinstall. Previous installation of Windows will be always moved to Windows.Old folder. If you want to completely erase all data and trace of previous installation, you can either use a recovery media created on the computer, use the FullRestore.cmd script that can be found in C:\Windows or use the Full system recovery from the Advanced tools under the Recovery Environment.
1.4.2 Windows 8 Under Windows 8, the recovery tools will give you the following options: A central place from where you can access recovery options, including o Recovery media creator Can create a USB key to be used to restore the computer o Launch recovery environment Reboot the computer in the recovery environment o Launch Windows backup (File History) This will allows you to backup your personal files, programs and settings o Create a custom recovery point Allows to create a custom recovery point, delete it or create a new one A recovery point will replace the recovery image when do you a Refresh of your pc. A refresh reinstall Windows without deleting your files A custom image cannot be used to Reset the computer, which completely delete all files
The recovery environment, either booted from the recovery partition or the USB recovery media will give you the following options: Option to repair your computer o Repair boot option o Use system restore to go back to a snapshot made by Windows Refresh Windows o Move the previous installation and you personal file to the Windows.Old folder and then reinstall Windows from the recovery image on the recovery partition o If a custom recovery point was created, it will be used. Otherwise, it will use the recovery image Reset Windows o Completely erase the computer and reinstall Windows DoubleCommander file browser o Access your file off-line. Useful if your computer can not boot and you dont have time to repair it right now. This will allows you to copy your personal file to a USB key to continue working on another computer.
1.5 Requirement
This software will run only under Windows 7 or Windows 8. It does not work under Windows Vista or Windows XP.
Any computer that can run Windows 7 or Windows 8 can use this software, although a specific partition layout must be respected. Also, you will have to choose between two (2) version of the package for Windows 8, each with their pros and cons. The following section will explain the different partition structure supported by this program. All the files (XMK, script, etc.) for these scenarios are included with this package. For Windows 7, you will need to provide the ImageX.exe file, both for the 32bits (X86) and the 64bits (AMD64) version. Microsoft does not allows the redistribution of these files. They can be obtained from the Windows Automated Installation Package. Simply copy them in the right place in the ImageX folder in the Windows 7 tools. o
1.7.5
Partition types
1.7.5.1 MBR All partitions are of type 07 (ID = 07) except the recovery partition (and the recovery image partition) which are of type 27 (ID = 27). 1.7.5.2 UEFI/GPT Recovery partitions (and the recovery image partition) are of type {de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16abfd50179d6ac}. MSR, EFI and Windows partitions dont have any particular type.
2 Installation
2.1 Preparing the USB drive
1. From the AutoUnattend folder, under either the GPT or MBR folder, copy the AutoUnattend.xml file to the root of a USB 2. From the Settings Examples, under either the GPT or MBR folder, copy all files to the Settings folder 3. Run the Update_Settings.cmd script 4. Copy the configured package (INSTALLER folder) to the USB key 5. All other files can now be discarded, as the INSTALLER folder and the AutoUnattend.xml files are only required for this software
Select the configuration that suits you need. In this scenario, we will be using the MBR package for BIOS computer.
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Copy the Autounattend.xml file to the root of the USB drive you will be using for the installation. You will need a USB drive even if you are using a DVD media to install Windows.
Go to the Settings Examples folder and then into the MBR or GPT folder. You must use the same folder as in step 3!
Select all the files and copy them to the Settings folder.
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You should see this if everything went correctly. If it is now the case, STOP NOW! In case of errors, check for Read Only attributes on the files.
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Copy the Installer folder to the same USB key on which you copied the AutoUnattend.xml file. Your drive should look like that.
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Connect the USB drive to the target computer and boot the Windows 8 installation media. The USB drive must be connected prior entering the setup screen. Select your locale settings and click Next.
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If everything went correctly, Windows 8 should boot to this screen. As you can see, regular Metro apps are not present and you are logged-in with the Administrator account. Now, click on the Desktop tile.
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Close this window. ALWAYS close this window. Do NOT PRESS OK ON THIS WINDOW! Dont touch it. Ever!
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From your USB drive, copy the Installer folder on your desktop. Install all your apps, drivers, updates, etc. Continue to next step when ready.
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3 Testing scenario
Now that everything is installed, you must test everything. You dont want to give something not correctly working to your customers, dont you? Here are some tests that should be performed before giving the computer to the customer.
3.1 Windows 7
Boot the computer and complete OOBE process. Then test the following: Entering Recovery Environment by using the Recovery Tools inside Windows Entering Recovery Environment by using the F7 key Reinstalling Windows from the Recovery Environment o Retest previous component to be sure they still works Creating a recovery media and recovering Windows from it o Retest previous component to be sure they still works Test the FullRestore.cmd script o Retest previous component to be sure they still works If all test are OK, restore the computer one last time by using the FullRestore.cmd script and give the computer to the customer
3.2 Windows 8
Boot the computer and complete OOBE process. Then test the following: Entering Recovery Environment by using the Recovery Tools inside Windows Reinstalling Windows from the Recovery Environment (Reset and Refresh) o Retest previous component to be sure they still works Creating a recovery media and recovering Windows from it (Reset only) o Retest previous component to be sure they still works If all test are OK, restore the computer one last time by using the Reset option or the recovery media and give the computer to the customer
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4 Upgrading
Starting at version 1.3.6, an update script is available to upgrade the recovery tools to the latest version. The local recovery tools, the one in the recovery image and tools of the recovery environment will be upgraded. You should make a new recovery media after upgrading; otherwise using a previous recovery media will roll-back the changes made.
5.1 Windows 7
ResetPartitions.txt o This is the script used by the recovery media (USB) to repartition the hard disk o It must match the settings of the SettingsRE.txt and AutoUnattend.Xml file Settings.ini o This is the file that include all language strings for the recovery tools SettingsRE.txt o This is the file used by CMD script to load the partitions, format them, etc. o It must match the settings of the ResetPartitions.txt and AutoUnattend.Xml file o WINLOAD parameter Must be equal to Winload.efi on UEFI computer Must be equal to Winload.exe on BIOS computer o BOOTFS parameter Must be equal to FAT32 on UEFI computer Must be equal to NTFS on BIOS computer Sysprep.xml o File used to prepare Windows for capture o Used to keep drivers and not delete them
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5.2 Windows 8
ResetPartitions.txt o This is the script used by the recovery media (USB) to repartition the hard disk o It must match the settings of the SettingsRE.txt, ResetConfig.xml and AutoUnattend.Xml file o Must NOT include Select Disk or Clean commands ResetConfig.xml o Used to tell recovery image location (partition number, etc.) in the recovery environment o Used to tell the name of the ResetPartitions.txt file o It must match the settings of the SettingsRE.txt, ResetPartitions.txt and AutoUnattend.Xml file Settings.ini o This is the file that include all language strings for the recovery tools SettingsRE.txt o This is the file used by CMD script to load the partitions, format them, etc. o It must match the settings of the ResetPartitions.txt, ResetConfig.xml and AutoUnattend.Xml file o WINLOAD parameter Must be equal to Winload.efi on UEFI computer Must be equal to Winload.exe on BIOS computer o BOOTFS parameter Must be equal to FAT32 on UEFI computer Must be equal to NTFS on BIOS computer Sysprep.xml o File used to prepare Windows for capture o Used to keep drivers and not delete them WinRE.xml o Used to rename the DoubleCommander file browser to Off-Line file browser
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The image must be placed in the following folder for Windows 7 Windows 7 Recovery Tools\Installer\Files\Windows\System32\RecoveryTools
The image must be placed in the following folder for Windows 8 Windows 8 Recovery Tools\Installer\Files\Windows\System32\RecoveryTools Once the file copied, you must edit Settings.ini file to enable it and change the following parameters: Parameter LogoFile LogoWidth LogoHeight LogoTime Description Filename of the logo. Must be JPG or BMP. Width of the logo Height of the logo Time, in seconds, to display the logo. Default Value Logo.jpg 400 200 0
7 Translation
All the language strings are saved in the Settings.ini file. Windows will automatically detect the current language and tries to load it from the file. If the current language is absent the software will rollback to English as the default language. When booting on the recovery media for Windows 7, the end-user will have to select the language he wants to use. Starting in 1.3.10, you can use a semi-colon (;) as a carriage return to split a line on multiple lines.
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9 Technical support
Technical support is provided free of charge on the My Digital Life forums. Update to this software can be found on my personal web page.
10 Change log
1.3.15 o Added : UEFI support under Windows 8 32bits (still not supported under Windows 7 32bits) 1.3.14 o Added : Italian under Windows 7 Recovery Tools o Added : New version for Windows 8 where recovery image is on the last partition of the computer, allowing the user to delete it after the creation of a recovery USB key o Updated : Instruction manual 1.3.13 o Modification to capture and reinstallation script to prevent phantom recovery drive under Windows o Added : Full system recovery option in Recovery Environment under Windows 7 o Added : Access to basic repair tools in Recovery Environment under Windows 7 1.3.12 o Windows 8: Now using a FirstLogon script since SetupComplete was not working with OEM key. The script is configured to run by using the Sysprep.xml file. o Minor translation error in English fixed 1.3.11 o Fixed bug with the path of the splash screen image o Fixed bug in Windows 7 recovery. Not more variable errors. 1.3.10 o Added line-splitting in settings.ini. See translation section o Added auto-reboot at the end of the recovery process for Windows 7 o Added support for splash image under Windows (not recovery media) 1.3.9 o Added : Spanish, Hebrew and Arabic in Windows 7 tools o Added : Hebrew in Windows 8 tools o Modified recovery media creator script under Windows 7 to make the boot drive Active. 1.3.8 o Fixed a bug in the Update script relating to SetupComplete script 21
1.3.7 o 1.3.6 o
Updates from 1.3.X to 1.3.7 will lose the ability to rename the off-line file browser in Windows 8 Updates from 1.3.X to 1.3.7 will lose the ability to dismount automatically the recovery partition in Windows 7 / 8 Clean install of 1.3.7 will not have the problem Updating to 1.3.8 should fix that
Added a script (both in Windows 7 and Windows 8) to dismount the recovery partition from Windows at the end of OOBE Added update tools for Windows 7 and 8 You can upgrade from 1.2.0 and 1.3.X You must recreate the recovery media after upgrade You must configure the settings file to match your configuration Removed ImageX from the package, as required by Microsoft EULA New set of icons for the menus, which are not made by Microsoft Fixed a bug with the SetupComplete.Cmd script under Windows 8 to identify the File Browser Updated the file browser to latest version Added instruction guide (this guide) Fixed Windows 8 recovery media. No more error about missing partitions Modified installation script so Recovery partition is now hidden in Windows 7 Added some checkups (Winre.Wim file exist, etc.) Initial release of this version which include Windows 8 support
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12 Licensing
All scripts, either the one made for command line (CMD) or in AutoIT, where made by me, Anarethos. These files can be freely distributed and modified. Just give me credits. The file browser (DoubleCommander) included with this software is a SourceForge project and more info can be found by clicking here. The Hard Drive icon used in the software was found on Internet. Source unknown. If you are the owner of this icon, please contact me (support forum) so I may remove it from this software or gives you credits for your works. Icons used in this software seem to be licensed for redistribution. The icons package is under the Source folder. If you are a computer manufacturer/store/seller, you can use my tool without any compensation (free laptop may be cool though!). But, I would really appreciate if you can send me a message telling me that you are using my software. Also, please give me credits on your web site or instruction manual.
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