Saturday, April 11 2015 / 1:02 AM

Table of content

Table of content1 Software presentation............................................................................................................1

1.1 Purpose of this software.................................................................................................1

1.2 What it can do.................................................................................................................2

1.3 What it cannot do...........................................................................................................2

1.4 Functionalities.................................................................................................................3

1.4.1 Windows 7..............................................................................................................3

1.4.2 Windows 8..............................................................................................................4

1.5 Requirement...................................................................................................................4

1.6 Select the right package version.....................................................................................5

1.6.1 Using Windows 8? –Read this!................................................................................5

1.7 Supported partition layout..............................................................................................6

1.7.1 MBR – WIM with Recovery tools (Windows 7 and Windows 8)..............................6

1.7.2 UEFI – WIM with Recovery tools (Windows 7 and Windows 8)..............................6

1.7.3 MBR – WIM on the last partition (Windows8 only)................................................6

1.7.4 UEFI – WIM on the last partition (Windows 8 only)................................................6

1.7.5 Partition types.........................................................................................................7

2 Installation..............................................................................................................................8

2.1 Preparing the USB drive..................................................................................................8

2.2 Installing Windows..........................................................................................................8

2.3 Installing the recovery tools............................................................................................9

2.4 Step by step installation................................................................................................10

3 Testing scenario....................................................................................................................16

3.1 Windows 7....................................................................................................................16

3.2 Windows 8....................................................................................................................16

4 Upgrading.............................................................................................................................17

4.1 Windows 8 – WIM on the last partition........................................................................17

5 Settings file explanation........................................................................................................17

i

5.1 Windows 7....................................................................................................................17

5.2 Windows 8....................................................................................................................18

6 Splash Image (Logo)..............................................................................................................19

7 Translation............................................................................................................................19

8 Frequently asked questions..................................................................................................20

9 Technical support.................................................................................................................21

10 Change log........................................................................................................................21

11 Credits and thanks............................................................................................................23

12 Licensing...........................................................................................................................24

ii

1 Software presentation

1.1 Purpose of this softwareComputers, 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

1.2 What it can doThis software will allows you to create a one-time image of a base installation of Windows 7 or Windows 8 and copy this image to a hidden partition on the first drive of your computer. If, for any reason, Windows cannot boot anymore or you just want to revert back to this image, you will be able to use Windows Recovery Environment to completely reinstall Windows based on this image. It is up to you to decide what this image will contain. Will it be only Windows with its drivers, Windows with its drivers and all your personal applications? You decide. But chose wisely as the image CANNOT BE upgraded later. It is not a backup. It is a recovery image.

1.3 What it cannot doLike I just said, this application creates a recovery image. Not a backup. So don’t use it to create a recovery image with all your personal files. Use backup software for that.

Also, don’t waste your time personalising your settings. The Administrator account used during the preparation of the recovery image will be deleted. Don’t waste your time.

2

1.4 Functionalities

1.4.1 Windows 7Under Windows 7, the recovery tools will give you the following options:

A central place from where you can access recovery options, includingo Recovery media creator

Can create a USB key to be used to restore the computero Launch recovery environment

Reboot the computer in the recovery environmento 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 computero Repair boot optiono Use system restore to go back to a snapshot made by Windows

System recoveryo 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 browsero Access your file off-line. Useful if your computer can not boot and you don’t

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.

3

1.4.2 Windows 8Under Windows 8, the recovery tools will give you the following options:

A central place from where you can access recovery options, includingo Recovery media creator

Can create a USB key to be used to restore the computer Can create DVD ISO that can 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 computero Repair boot optiono Use system restore to go back to a snapshot made by Windows

Refresh Windowso 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 Windowso Completely erase the computer and reinstall Windows

DoubleCommander file browsero Access your file off-line. Useful if your computer can not boot and you don’t

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 RequirementThis software will run only under Windows 7 or Windows 8. It does not work under Windows Vista or Windows XP.

4

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

1.6 Select the right package versionThis software comes in two (2) versions, one with the recovery image (WIM file) on the same partition as the Recovery Environment and one with the WIM file on the last partition.

The first version is the only one which works with Windows 7. As for Windows 8, it works with both versions.

1.6.1 Using Windows 8? –Read this!When using the version with the recovery image on the last partition, Windows 8 will allows you to delete this partition and regain the space when you create a recovery media (USB key). If the recovery image is on the same partition as the Recovery Tools, this option will not be available.

Although it would seems natural to select the second package (WIM on the last partition), please note that all the scripts use partition number to find their required files. This means that if you resize your Windows partition to create a new partition, the partition number of the last partition (with the recovery image on it) will change, making system recovery impossible.

Also, since the recovery partition cannot be created during the installation process of Windows, it will be created during the capture process, making the process longer. The size of the recovery partition can be set in the “SettingsRE.txt” file.

5

1.7 Supported partition layout

1.7.1 MBR – WIM with Recovery tools (Windows 7 and Windows 8)Partition 1 2 3Default size 12gb 150mb AllPartition type Primary Primary PrimaryFile system NTFS NTFS NTFSRole Recovery Boot manager WindowsActive No Yes No

1.7.2 UEFI – WIM with Recovery tools (Windows 7 and Windows 8)Partition 1 2 3 4Default size 12gb 150mb 128mb AllPartition type Primary EFI MSR PrimaryFile system NTFS FAT32 N/A NTFSRole Recovery Boot manager System reserved WindowsActive No Yes No No

1.7.3 MBR – WIM on the last partition (Windows8 only)Partition 1 2 3 4Default size 1gb 150mb All 12gbPartition type Primary Primary Primary PrimaryFile system NTFS NTFS NTFS NTFSRole Recovery Boot manager Windows Recovery imageActive No Yes No No

1.7.4 UEFI – WIM on the last partition (Windows 8 only)Partition 1 2 3 4 5Default size 1gb 150mb 128mb All 12gbPartition type Primary EFI MSR Primary PrimaryFile system NTFS FAT32 N/A NTFS NTFSRole Recovery Boot

managerSystem reserved

Windows Recovery image

Active No Yes No No No

6

1.7.5 Partition types

1.7.5.1 MBRAll 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/GPTRecovery partitions (and the recovery image partition) are of type {de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac}. MSR, EFI and Windows partitions don’t have any particular type.

7

2 Installation

2.1 Preparing the USB drive1. From the “AutoUnattend” folder, under either the “GPT” or “MBR” folder, copy the

“AutoUnattend.xml” file to the root of a USB2. From the “Settings – Examples”, under either the “GPT” or “MBR” folder, copy all files to

the “Settings” folder3. Run the “Update_Settings.cmd” script4. Copy the configured package (INSTALLER folder) to the USB key5. All other files can now be discarded, as the “INSTALLER” folder and the

“AutoUnattend.xml” files are only required for this software

2.2 Installing Windows1. Connect the USB key to the target computer and start Windows installation

a. Use only RETAIL or MSDN mediab. Don’t use media that came with your computer as they may contains scripts

that will prevent this software from working correctly2. Select to install Windows3. If you are using a media with more than 1 operating system available, select the one you

want to install4. Wait during the installation process

a. All data and partitions of the first drive will be deletedb. Partitions will be automatically created

5. Proceed to the installation of all your software, drivers, updates, etc.a. Never use the SYSPREP screen. It will prevent the use of this software.

8

2.3 Installing the recovery toolsWhen everything is working as expected, you can then install the recovery tools to create the recovery partition

1. You should copy the installation folder on the hard drive in case something goes wrong and file access is lost to the USB drive

2. If copying the tools from a CD, remove the “read-only” attributes of the files on the computer

3. You should create a full backup of the computer, using Ghost or similar software, prior creating the recovery partition. If something goes wrong, you will be able to recover your base installation without having to do it again

4. Launch the “Install” script and wait for the SYSPREP and capture process

9

2.4 Step by step installationThis section will show you how to install the recovery tools under Windows 8. For this scenario, we will be using the package that creates the recovery image on the last partition, on a MBR/BIOS computer. The process is similar for Windows 7 or other package version of Windows 8.

Step Description Image1 Unzip the software package on a computer

and select which version of the package you want to use. In this case, we will be using the “WIM – Last partition” version.

2 Open the “Autounattend” folder.3 Select the configuration that suits you

need. In this scenario, we will be using the “MBR” package for BIOS computer.

4 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.

5 Now, open the “Windows 8 Recovery tools” folder.

6 Go to the “Settings – Examples” folder and then into the “MBR” or “GPT” folder. You must use the same folder as in step 3!

7 Select all the files and copy them to the “Settings folder”.

10

8 Now, execute the “Update_Settings” script.

9 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.

10 Copy the “Installer” folder to the same USB key on which you copied the “AutoUnattend.xml” file.

Your drive should look like that.

11

11 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”.

12 Select your Windows version and click “Next”.

13 Wait while taking a beer or a coffee.

14 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.

12

15 Close this window.ALWAYS close this window.

Do NOT PRESS OK ON THIS WINDOW!Don’t touch it. Ever!

16 From your USB drive, copy the “Installer” folder on your desktop.

Install all your apps, drivers, updates, etc.

Continue to next step when ready.17 Launch the “Install” script.18 Wait during the creation of the recovery

partition.

19 This will takes some time. Please be patient.

20 Computer will reboot to capture the Windows installation.

21 Capture in progress…

13

22 Capture done. Go to next step to test everything.

14

3 Testing scenarioNow that everything is installed, you must test everything. You don’t want to give something not correctly working to your customers, don’t you?

Here are some tests that should be performed before giving the computer to the customer.

3.1 Windows 7Boot 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 8Boot 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

15

4 UpgradingStarting 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.

4.1 Windows 8 – WIM on the last partitionYou can’t upgrade the recovery tools if you deleted the recovery image from the last partition. The process will fail.

5 Settings file explanationThis software requires lots of settings files to work correctly. You must be very careful if you do any modification to them.

5.1 Windows 7 ResetPartitions.txt

o This is the script used by the recovery media (USB) to repartition the hard disko It must match the settings of the SettingsRE.txt file

Settings.inio This is the file that include all language strings for the recovery tools

SettingsRE.txto 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 fileo 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.xmlo File used to prepare Windows for captureo Used to keep drivers and not delete them

16

5.2 Windows 8 ResetPartitions.txt

o This is the script used by the recovery media (USB) to repartition the hard disko It must match the settings of the SettingsRE.txt, ResetConfig.xml and fileo Must NOT include “Select Disk” or “Clean” commands

ResetConfig.xmlo Used to tell recovery image location (partition number, etc.) in the recovery

environmento Used to tell the name of the “ResetPartitions.txt” fileo It must match the settings of the SettingsRE.txt, ResetPartitions.txt and file

Settings.inio This is the file that include all language strings for the recovery tools

SettingsRE.txto 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 fileo 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.xmlo File used to prepare Windows for captureo Used to keep drivers and not delete them

WinRE.xmlo Used to rename the DoubleCommander file browser to “Off-Line file browser”

17

6 Splash Image (Logo)Starting in version 1.3.10, there is now a splash image for the recovery tools inside Windows. This splash image does not apply to the recovery tools when booting on the recovery media or the recovery partition.

The image must be placed in the following folder for Windows 7“Windows 7 Recovery Tools\Installer\Files\Windows\System32\”

The image must be placed in the following folder for Windows 8“Windows 8 Recovery Tools\Installer\Files\Windows\System32\”

Once the file copied, you must edit “Settings.ini” file to enable it and change the following parameters:

Parameter Description Default ValueLogoFile Filename of the logo. Must be

JPG or BMP.Logo.jpg

LogoWidth Width of the logo 400LogoHeight Height of the logo 200LogoTime Time, in seconds, to display

the logo. 0

7 TranslationAll 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.

18

8 Frequently asked questions

1. My computer crash after the image capturea. Can be due to a driver error. Try to isolate the driver in question and install it

using SetupComplete/FirstLogon scriptb. Be sure to have the computer unplugged from the network while installing the

recovery toolsc. Disable your anti-virus when installing the recovery tools

2. Can I upgrade my recovery image?a. Windows 7: Nob. Windows 8: Not exactly. You can create a custom recovery point using the

recovery tools3. In your previous software (Legacy – 2.1.1), there was an option to create DVD recovery

media. Will you give this option back in a future release?a. This option is currently only available for Windows 8. Support for Windows 7

may be added in a future version.4. I already have a working installation of Windows. Can I use your tools to create a

recovery partition now?a. No. You can only create a recovery image and partition during a fresh

installation of Windows 7 or 8. b. Under Windows 8, you can always create a custom “Refresh” image of your

computer by using the RECIMG command line tool.

9 Change log 1.3.16

o Added : DVD Media Creator for Windows 8o Removed : All language except French/English for Windows 8 due to new menu

made for DVD recovery 1.3.15

o Added : UEFI support under Windows 8 32bits (still not supported under Windows 7 32bits)

1.3.14o Added : Italian under Windows 7 Recovery Toolso 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

19

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 imageo Fixed bug in Windows 7 recovery. Not more variable errors.

1.3.10o Added line-splitting in settings.ini. See translation sectiono Added auto-reboot at the end of the recovery process for Windows 7o Added support for splash image under Windows (not recovery media)

1.3.9o Added : Spanish, Hebrew and Arabic in Windows 7 toolso Added : Hebrew in Windows 8 toolso 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 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

1.3.7o Added a script (both in Windows 7 and Windows 8) to dismount the recovery

partition from Windows at the end of OOBE 1.3.6

o 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

1.3.5

20

o Removed ImageX from the package, as required by Microsoft© EULAo New set of icons for the menus, which are not made by Microsoft©

1.3.4o Fixed a bug with the “SetupComplete.Cmd” script under Windows 8 to identify

the File Browsero Updated the file browser to latest versiono Added instruction guide (this guide)

1.3.3o Fixed Windows 8 recovery media. No more error about missing partitions

1.3.2o Modified installation script so Recovery partition is now hidden in Windows 7

1.3.1o Added some checkups (Winre.Wim file exist, etc.)

1.3.0o Initial release of this version which include Windows 8 support

21

10 Credits and thanks

Also, thanks to my entire beta tester.

22

11 Licensing All scripts, either the one made for command line (CMD). These files can be freely

distributed and modified.

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.

23