WinPE Builder 2.0

Build a fully customized Windows PE environment with a simple PowerShell workflow.

WinPE Builder 2.0 automates creating a WinPE image with essential optional components, drivers, scripts, updates, and an ISO or USB — ideal for deployment, recovery, and troubleshooting media.

Init project  →  Add drivers / scripts / updates / packages  →  Build ISO or USB

Version 2.0 — project-based workflow, packages.pe control, Secure Boot options (PCA 2011 / PCA 2023).

Looking for the original version 1.1 batch-based tool? See the legacy branch.

✨ Features

⚡ Build a custom WinPE ISO (or USB) in minutes
📁 Project folders for drivers, scripts, updates, and logs
📦 Default optional components included (PowerShell, DISM, BitLocker tools, and more)
📝 Edit packages.pe to enable or disable components without editing the script
🔌 Inject drivers with ease
🧰 Copy your own scripts and tools into the image
🖼️ Customize the WinPE background
🔐 Optional modern Secure Boot signing (-PCA2023)
🚀 Perfect for deployment, recovery, and automation

📦 Included WinPE components (defaults)

These optional components are installed by default (dependency-safe order):

Component	Purpose
WinPE-WMI	WMI / management foundation
WinPE-NetFx	.NET Framework subset
WinPE-Scripting	Windows Script Host
WinPE-PowerShell	PowerShell in WinPE
WinPE-DismCmdlets	DISM PowerShell module
WinPE-StorageWMI	Storage PowerShell cmdlets
WinPE-SecureBootCmdlets	Secure Boot PowerShell cmdlets
WinPE-HTA	HTML Applications
WinPE-FMAPI	File Management API
WinPE-SecureStartup	BitLocker / TPM tools
WinPE-EnhancedStorage	Enhanced storage / BitLocker-related devices

On -Init, a project file packages.pe is created with these defaults enabled and other ADK optional components listed as comments — uncomment to add more.

📚 Learn more:
https://learn.microsoft.com/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/winpe-add-packages--optional-components-reference

🚀 Getting started

1️⃣ Install the Windows ADK

Download and install the latest Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK).

https://learn.microsoft.com/windows-hardware/get-started/adk-install

2️⃣ Install the WinPE add-on

The Windows PE add-on is separate from the main ADK. Install it before using WinPE Builder.

https://learn.microsoft.com/windows-hardware/get-started/adk-install#other-adk-downloads

3️⃣ Download WinPE Builder

Download the latest release ZIP and extract it, or clone the repository.

https://github.com/cmartinezone/WinPEBuilder/releases

4️⃣ Run PowerShell as Administrator

Right-click Windows PowerShell → Run as administrator, then cd into the folder where you extracted the ZIP (the folder that contains WinPE-Builder.ps1).

cd C:\path\to\extracted\WinPEBuilder

📂 Project structure

After extract (and after -Init), a typical layout looks like:

WinPEBuilder\                 # folder from the ZIP (or your -WorkDirectory)
│
├── WinPE-Builder.ps1         # Main engine (run this)
├── packages.pe               # Optional components list (created on -Init if missing)
│
├── Add-Drivers\              # Drivers injected into the image on -Build
├── Add-Scripts\              # Scripts, wallpaper, tools (see layout below)
├── Add-Updates\              # .msu / .cab updates
│
├── WinPE-Root\               # Working WinPE tree (managed by Init/Build)
├── WinPE-ISO\                # Generated ISO files
├── WinPE-Logs\               # Run logs
│
└── _docs\                    # Simple guide, recipes, full reference

`Add-Scripts` layout

Path	Goes to
`Add-Scripts\startnet.cmd`	Startup script (must keep `wpeinit`)
`Add-Scripts\winpe.jpg`	WinPE background
`Add-Scripts\System32\`	Image `Windows\System32`
`Add-Scripts\Root\`	Image root (`X:\`)
`Add-Scripts\Media\`	Boot media (`WinPE-Root\media`)
Other files in `Add-Scripts\`	Copied into `System32` (tools, scripts, etc.)

▶️ Quick start (first ISO)

Always pass -WorkDirectory (where the project lives). Two common choices after downloading the ZIP:

Option A — Use the extracted folder as the project

cd C:\path\to\extracted\WinPEBuilder

# Create project layout in the current folder
.\WinPE-Builder.ps1 -Init -WorkDirectory .

# Optional customization (see below):
#   - Copy your drivers into Add-Drivers
#   - Edit Add-Scripts\startnet.cmd and packages.pe

# Build ISO
.\WinPE-Builder.ps1 -Build -ISO -Force -AddPackage packages.pe

💿 ISO output:

.\WinPE-ISO\WinPE_amd64_yyyyMMdd_HHmm.iso

Option B — Use another path as the project

cd C:\path\to\extracted\WinPEBuilder

# Create the project at a path you choose (folders + base WinPE + packages.pe)
.\WinPE-Builder.ps1 -Init -WorkDirectory C:\MyWinPE-Project

# Optional: copy your drivers into that project's Add-Drivers folder,
# edit Add-Scripts and packages.pe there, then build:

.\WinPE-Builder.ps1 -Build -ISO -Force -AddPackage packages.pe

💿 ISO output (under your project folder):

<WorkDirectory>\WinPE-ISO\WinPE_amd64_yyyyMMdd_HHmm.iso

⚠️ Important: Always run as Administrator.
Builds usually complete in a few minutes (depends on packages and drivers).

⚙️ Customization

All paths below are inside your project (-WorkDirectory — the ZIP folder if you used .).

🖼️ Change the background

Copy your wallpaper into the project as:

Add-Scripts\winpe.jpg

Recommended size: 800 × 600.

To use the default WinPE background again, remove that file.

📜 Run custom scripts at startup

Edit (or create) in the project:

Add-Scripts\startnet.cmd

Keep wpeinit at the top, then launch your tools or scripts:

@echo off
wpeinit
REM your commands here

🔌 Add drivers

Copy your driver packages (folders with .inf files) into:

Add-Drivers

They are injected automatically on -Build.

🧰 Add scripts and tools

Copy your scripts, executables, or tools into:

Add-Scripts

Use subfolders when you need a specific destination:

Put files in	Destination in the image / media
`Add-Scripts\` (root of that folder)	`Windows\System32`
`Add-Scripts\System32\`	`Windows\System32`
`Add-Scripts\Root\`	Image root (`X:\`)
`Add-Scripts\Media\`	Boot media (`WinPE-Root\media`)

📝 Control optional packages (`packages.pe`)

Created on -Init in the project folder.

# Default Components   ← enabled (no #)
# Optional Components  ← uncomment a line to enable

Open packages.pe in any text editor, adjust the list, then build:

.\WinPE-Builder.ps1 -Build -ISO -Force -AddPackage packages.pe

Missing packages are skipped with a warning; the build continues.

📥 Add Windows updates

Copy your .msu / .cab update files into:

Add-Updates

💾 Use your own boot.wim

Only with -Init. Point -BootWimPath at your WinPE boot.wim file:

.\WinPE-Builder.ps1 -Init -WorkDirectory . `
  -BootWimPath ".\path\to\your\boot.wim"

🔑 Create a USB stick

⚠️ Warning: -USB formats the target drive. Double-check the letter (F:, E:, …).
Wrong drive = total data loss. The script refuses the system disk and non-USB buses, but you still choose the letter.

Recommended (safer for most people): build an ISO, then write it to USB with a tool such as Rufus.

# 1) Build ISO
.\WinPE-Builder.ps1 -Build -ISO -Force -AddPackage packages.pe

# 2) Open Rufus → select your USB stick → select the ISO under WinPE-ISO\ → Start

Optional (ADK formats the stick directly):

.\WinPE-Builder.ps1 -Build -USB F: -Force -AddPackage packages.pe

Only use -USB when you are sure of the drive letter and can wipe that stick.

🔐 Secure Boot (PCA 2023)

Default media uses PCA 2011 (widest compatibility).

.\WinPE-Builder.ps1 -Build -ISO -PCA2023 -Force -AddPackage packages.pe

Use -PCA2023 only when target PCs trust the Windows UEFI CA 2023.

📋 Common commands

Goal	Command
Init in current folder (ZIP extract)	`.\WinPE-Builder.ps1 -Init -WorkDirectory .`
Init at a custom path	`.\WinPE-Builder.ps1 -Init -WorkDirectory C:\MyWinPE-Project`
Resume project (new window)	`.\WinPE-Builder.ps1 -WorkDirectory C:\MyWinPE-Project`
Build ISO (recommended)	`.\WinPE-Builder.ps1 -Build -ISO -Force -AddPackage packages.pe`
Write USB via Rufus	Build ISO, then use Rufus (safer)
Build USB (formats drive)	`.\WinPE-Builder.ps1 -Build -USB F: -Force -AddPackage packages.pe`
Mount image	`.\WinPE-Builder.ps1 -Mount`
Save mount	`.\WinPE-Builder.ps1 -Save`
Discard mount	`.\WinPE-Builder.ps1 -Discard`

Same PowerShell window keeps the project path after -Init or -WorkDirectory.

📚 Documentation

Guide	When to use it
Simple guide	Full first-project walkthrough
Common uses	Short recipes
Usage reference	Every switch and option

✅ Requirements

Windows 10 / 11 (or Windows Server)
Windows ADK + Windows PE add-on
PowerShell as Administrator

If the ADK or WinPE add-on is missing, the script stops with a clear message and install link.

❤️ Support the project

If WinPE Builder saves you time, consider buying me a coffee ☕

PayPal donation

⭐ Star the project

If you find WinPE Builder useful, please consider giving the repository a ⭐ on GitHub.
It helps others discover the project and motivates future improvements.

https://github.com/cmartinezone/WinPEBuilder

Legacy (v1.1): github.com/cmartinezone/WinPEBuilder/tree/legacy

⚠️ Notes

Run elevated.
Prefer ISO + Rufus for bootable USB; -USB formats the selected drive — verify the letter first.
-Init rebuilds WinPE-Root — do not re-Init a project you want to keep; resume with -WorkDirectory alone.
Stuck mount: .\WinPE-Builder.ps1 -Discard or -Clean -Force.

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Repository files navigation

WinPE Builder 2.0

✨ Features

📦 Included WinPE components (defaults)

🚀 Getting started

1️⃣ Install the Windows ADK

2️⃣ Install the WinPE add-on

3️⃣ Download WinPE Builder

4️⃣ Run PowerShell as Administrator

📂 Project structure

`Add-Scripts` layout

▶️ Quick start (first ISO)

Option A — Use the extracted folder as the project

Option B — Use another path as the project

⚙️ Customization

🖼️ Change the background

📜 Run custom scripts at startup

🔌 Add drivers

🧰 Add scripts and tools

📝 Control optional packages (`packages.pe`)

📥 Add Windows updates

💾 Use your own boot.wim

🔑 Create a USB stick

🔐 Secure Boot (PCA 2023)

📋 Common commands

📚 Documentation

✅ Requirements

❤️ Support the project

⭐ Star the project

⚠️ Notes

About

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Releases 1

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Name		Name	Last commit message	Last commit date
Latest commit History 3 Commits
Add-Drivers		Add-Drivers
Add-Scripts		Add-Scripts
Add-Updates		Add-Updates
WinPE-ISO		WinPE-ISO
WinPE-Logs		WinPE-Logs
WinPE-Root		WinPE-Root
_docs		_docs
.gitignore		.gitignore
README.md		README.md
WinPE-Builder.ps1		WinPE-Builder.ps1
packages.pe		packages.pe

Folders and files

Latest commit

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Repository files navigation

WinPE Builder 2.0

✨ Features

📦 Included WinPE components (defaults)

🚀 Getting started

1️⃣ Install the Windows ADK

2️⃣ Install the WinPE add-on

3️⃣ Download WinPE Builder

4️⃣ Run PowerShell as Administrator

📂 Project structure

Add-Scripts layout

▶️ Quick start (first ISO)

Option A — Use the extracted folder as the project

Option B — Use another path as the project

⚙️ Customization

🖼️ Change the background

📜 Run custom scripts at startup

🔌 Add drivers

🧰 Add scripts and tools

📝 Control optional packages (packages.pe)

📥 Add Windows updates

💾 Use your own boot.wim

🔑 Create a USB stick

🔐 Secure Boot (PCA 2023)

📋 Common commands

📚 Documentation

✅ Requirements

❤️ Support the project

⭐ Star the project

⚠️ Notes

About

Topics

Resources

Uh oh!

Stars

Watchers

Forks

Releases 1

Contributors

Uh oh!

Languages

`Add-Scripts` layout

📝 Control optional packages (`packages.pe`)