Building PhoenixPE - PhoenixPE/PhoenixPE GitHub Wiki

Building PhoenixPE

Quick Start Guide

  1. Mount or Extract your Win10/Win11 ISO to a location of your choice. If you don’t have a Win10 ISO you may use the 'Download Source ISO' button on the 'Source Config' script to download the most recent version. Be sure to check the Compatible Source List to make sure your ISO is supported.
  2. Using the 'Source Config' script, select the location of your source you provided in Step 1.
  3. Select the Source install.wim image. We recommend using the Pro image. Windows S is not supported.
  4. Enable the Apps you wish to include in your build. Note that some Apps require additional files or config. Do not blindly enable all apps and expect to get a successful build.
  5. Tweak any settings you wish.
  6. Press the Build button on PEBakery’s Main Menu.
  7. Grab a snack or a drink. The build process typically takes from 2 to 7 minutes depending on your PC, internet speed, and the scripts you have enabled. The first build will take a bit longer as project files and registry hives are cached and applications are downloaded.
  8. Test your finished build to make sure everything is working as you expect.
  9. …
  10. Profit!

Source Config

Configuring the Source Image

PhoenixPE can be configured to build using either Boot.wim or WinRE.wim as a base.

Boot.wim

Boot.wim is the image used by the Windows setup/installer and includes a basic WinPE environment.

Because Boot.wim is designed to be a lightweight setup environment it does not contain some features such as iSCSI, integrated wireless networking, or Windows recovery tools by default. PhoenixPE adds support for wireless networking, and other features by copying the required files and registry entries from install.wim. This method produces an environment very similar to WinRE.

WinRE.wim (Default)

WinRE.wim is the Windows Recovery Environment that ships with Windows and is used for diagnostic and troubleshooting. It includes additional packages such as integrated wireless networking support, and the Windows recovery tools.

Beginning with Windows release 20H2, WinRE.wim is not always updated to the latest version and contains binaries and registry entries that are incompatible with the newer binaries present in install.wim. This can cause stability issues or in worst case, BSOD or a black screen on boot. In these situations you must build the project using Boot.wim as the base image.

Advanced Options