Windows 7 ISO with Convenience Rollup - Slipstreaming Guide
Windows 7 Convenience Rollup: Creating a Custom ISO
Microsoft has issued a "Convenience Rollup" for Windows 7, consolidating updates released over several years into a single, comprehensive package. This functions similarly to a traditional service pack, streamlining the update process.
Currently, Microsoft does not provide ISO images that include these updates pre-integrated. However, users can readily generate their own customized ISO images through a straightforward procedure.
Benefits of a Custom ISO
Creating a custom ISO image offers significant advantages when performing a fresh installation of Windows 7. Instead of enduring lengthy download times for multiple years' worth of updates, the system will be current as of May 2016 immediately after installation.
This eliminates the need for numerous reboots during the update process, significantly reducing installation time and improving user experience.
How to Create a Custom ISO
The process involves obtaining the Convenience Rollup update and then utilizing tools to integrate it into a standard Windows 7 ISO image. Detailed instructions for this process are available online from various technical resources.
By implementing this method, future installations of Windows 7 can be expedited and maintained in an up-to-date state from the outset.
Essential Requirements
Related: A guide to simultaneously updating all Windows 7 installations using Microsoft’s Convenience Rollup is also available.
Successfully completing this procedure necessitates a Windows 7 installation disc or an ISO file that incorporates Service Pack 1. Obtaining these resources is now straightforward. Legally downloading Windows 7 ISO images directly from Microsoft is possible through several methods, and these images inherently include Service Pack 1.
Prior to proceeding, downloading both the Servicing Stack Update and the Convenience Rollup packages is crucial. Ensure the downloaded packages correspond precisely to the version of the ISO file being utilized. For instance, a 64-bit installer disc creation demands the 64-bit versions of the update packages.
The Windows AIK for Windows 7 must also be downloaded and installed, even when the process is executed on Windows 8 or 10. Microsoft provides this as an ISO file, requiring either mounting the ISO for installation or burning it to a DVD before installation.
Extracting Files from Disc or ISO Image
The initial step involves extracting the files contained within the ISO image or copying them directly from a physical disc. Should you possess an ISO file, programs such as 7-Zip can be utilized to decompress its contents. Alternatively, Windows 8 and 10 offer the capability to mount these images directly.
If working with a disc, simply select all files present on it, copy them, and paste them into a designated folder on your computer. This creates a readily accessible working copy.
Example Directory Structure
As illustrated, all files from a Windows 7 SP1 disc have been copied to a new folder located at C:\Win7SP1ISO. This directory will serve as the basis for the examples that follow.
Furthermore, a separate folder named C:\updates was created to house the Servicing Stack update and the Convenience Rollup package, ensuring organized access to these crucial components.
Step Two: Integrating Updates with Dism
To proceed, initiate a Command Prompt window with Administrator privileges. This can be achieved by opening the Start menu, searching for "Command Prompt," right-clicking the resulting shortcut, and selecting "Run as Administrator."
Execute the following command, ensuring you substitute the correct path to the folder containing your files – in this example, C:\Win7SP1ISO:
Dism /Get-WIMInfo /WimFile:C:\Win7SP1ISO\sources\install.wim
This command will reveal the specific name of the Windows 7 edition within the image. This information is crucial for subsequent steps. As illustrated, the example utilizes Windows 7 ENTERPRISE installation media; however, you might be working with Home, Professional, or Ultimate editions. If your disc includes multiple editions, identify the one you intend to use for ISO creation.
Now, a directory must be created to mount the image offline.
mkdir C:\Win7SP1ISO\offline
Subsequently, unpack the files to enable the DISM command to function effectively:
Dism /Mount-WIM /WimFile:C:\Win7SP1ISO\sources\install.wim /Name:"Windows 7 ENTERPRISE" /MountDir:C:\Win7SP1ISO\offline
Remember to replace C:\Win7SP1ISO with your extraction folder and Windows 7 ENTERPRISE with the edition identified in the previous command.
The next step involves integrating the downloaded Servicing Stack Update – specifically, KB3020369 – into the Windows 7 installation files.
For a 64-bit package, use:
Dism /Image:C:\Win7SP1ISO\offline /Add-Package /PackagePath:C:\updates\Windows6.1-KB3020369-x64.msu
For a 32-bit package, use:
Dism /Image:C:\Win7SP1ISO\offline /Add-Package /PackagePath:C:\updates\Windows6.1-KB3020369-x86.msu
Select the command corresponding to your desired architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) and adjust the package path to reflect your update's location (e.g., C:\updates).
Following this, incorporate the convenience rollup update package – KB3125574. Be aware that this process may require a significant amount of time.
To integrate the 64-bit package:
Dism /Image:C:\Win7SP1ISO\offline /Add-Package /PackagePath:C:\updates\windows6.1-kb3125574-v4-x64_2dafb1d203c8964239af3048b5dd4b1264cd93b9.msu
To integrate the 32-bit package:
Dism /Image:C:\Win7SP1ISO\offline /Add-Package /PackagePath:C:\updates\windows6.1-kb3125574-v4-x86_ba1ff5537312561795cc04db0b02fbb0a74b2cbd.msu
As before, choose the command that aligns with your target architecture and update the path accordingly.
Finally, commit the changes and unmount the image:
Dism /Unmount-WIM /MountDir:C:\Win7SP1ISO\offline /Commit
Creating an Updated Windows 7 ISO File
The install.wim file, located within your working directory, now incorporates the Convenience Rollup package. The oscdimg utility, which is part of the Windows AIK, will be utilized to generate a new ISO image integrating this modified install.wim file.
Begin by launching the Deployment Tools Command Prompt with administrative privileges. Navigate to Start > All Programs > Microsoft Windows AIK. Then, right-click on the "Deployment Tools Command Prompt" shortcut and choose "Run as Administrator."
Execute the following command in the prompt, ensuring you replace C:\Win7SP1ISO with the correct path to your directory. The output ISO image location can also be customized by changing C:\Windows7Updated.iso.
oscdimg -n -m -bC:\Win7SP1ISO\boot\etfsboot.com C:\Win7SP1ISO\ C:\Windows7Updated.iso
A current Windows 7 ISO file is now available. It can be written to a disc using built-in Windows tools, or a bootable USB drive can be created utilizing Microsoft's Windows USB/DVD Download Tool. It is recommended to store this ISO securely for future reinstallation needs.
Given that Microsoft now provides downloadable Windows 7 ISO images, periodic updates from Microsoft incorporating the latest patches would be beneficial. However, Microsoft has historically only updated images for service packs or Windows 10 builds, so such updates are not anticipated.
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