[ANSWERED] Using WinReducer

I changed the topic to separate it from the other one with the confusion.

I now have the software activated.

You need no make the following clear in another sticky:

There are two logins.

1. The first is your email address and the password you assigned to it.

2. The second is your username and it's password.

Both must be activated for VIPs.

w3A537

I successfully extracted the zip file into it's
own separate directory.

I ran the executable.

I activated the software successfully.

I skipped over the error message.

The language is correct.

All the folders are detected properly.

I successfully ran the full automatic install of the accessories.

I successfully installed an update.

-----

Under start I have no idea which of the directories to select.

When I selected the default I received an error that the directory
was not correct.

SB

Hey,

OK, so now you could use WinReducer with a good basis.

1) Do you have a Windows 7 ISO ?

2) If Yes : launch WinReducer 7.0, use "START" button, then "ISO" button

3) Hit "Yes", in the warning message

4) Then choose your ISO file (don't worry this will not be deleted, just extracted), depending on where you keep it

5) Wait few minutes, during extraction process

6) Once extraction process is finished, you will see a new small window with a big "MOUNT" at the top of it

7) Just below this "MOUNT" button, just select your Windows Edition according to your Serial Numbers (you need to choose the good one, otherwise your installation will fail !)

8 ) Now, you could hit the "MOUNT" button !

9) Wait until the configuration finish

10) then you will have access to all 850 settings available

11) Try to modify few components

12) Then go to "APPLY" tab and hit the Launch button

13) once the process is finished, you will see an ISO creation window

14) Choose how you want to save your changes

15) then hit the create button

Tell me if you experience trouble !

PS : If during all the process you experienced an error, just close the windows, exit winreducer, restart your computer, launch winreducer, exit it again (to be sure to properly clean your previous test), then launch winreducer and restart from point 1) ...

I am going through the steps and I found a small bug.

When I select START ISO the first time the software
asks me if I want to clean the "extract" FOLDER.

Then it opens a selection window.

The window it opens is SELECT FILE.

The window it opens should be SELECT FOLDER.

This little problem might be present in all versions.

Easy to work around though.

W3a537.

Hello,

1)

When I select START ISO the first time the software
asks me if I want to clean the "extract" FOLDER.

What you mentioned is a normal step to avoid removing the temporary "ExtractedByWinReducer" folder (in "WORK -> EXTRACT" folder) by error. So I let it to inform users about what is done.


2)

The window it opens should be SELECT FOLDER.

This is automatically done by WinReducer, if you choose "START -> ISO" option. The folder selection is hidden because otherwise you will have 2 selection menu to use : 1 to select your ISO, and another 1 to select the extracted folder ! This shouldn't be really convenient because ISO is always extracted, by WinReducer, in the same folder.
But this folder selection menu is always available, if you extract by yourself your ISO and choose the other option : "START -> FOLDER" in WinReducer.

Let me try again.

If you want to select the folder to be cleaned you
should be using the SELECT A FOLDER function call.

But you are using the SELECT A FILE function file
function call by mistake.

You need to change the type of function call you use.

This is not a mistake, this is a choice made by me to inform you .. but maybe you are right, the message is an unnecessary step ... Thanks for the idea !

Hey,

I've tried and it's much better now, without the message ... Thank you very much for the idea !

So, this will be integrated in v1.29 ...

Sounds good.

I will now try to process the ISO.

I am now to the MOUNT point but I
get the error "your file is not mounted correctly".

What would cause this?

The ISO I used was a customized Windows-7 Elite (x86)
ISO created by another person using different software.

This package is really good and I was hoping I could use
it as a starting point.

Hello,

So, let me explain : by default WinReducer is able to read MS official ISO, but for all others ISO ... you need to verify what file format your "install.*" (in ISO "sources" folder) is using.

So, have a look in your ISO "sources" folder and search for an "install.?" file (just replace "?" by the correct extension). For WinReducer Software, "install.wim" and install.swm" file format are supported !

About the ISO you're trying to use, I think it should better to use an official Windows 7 ISO instead, and create your own customized ISO. Because you need to be careful about what changes have been made in this Windows-7 Elite (x86) ISO. (Please do not post ISO link, as mentioned in the forum rules, thanks )

But this is your choice ...

Thank you very much.

w3a537

For the newbs, vlite always breaks the the windows iso.  The symptom is you can see most features and services greyed in WinReducer 7.  That is why you must only use the iso function in WinReducer 7, and how you know if the input image is corrupt at least to DISM that is, but to DISM is to WinReducer.  Hopefully, I didn't lose you there.

vlite is only for Windows Vista. on many forums people are talking to use it for Win 7, but it does not work properly for higher Windows than Vista.
there are many tools for customizing Windows, but my first choice is WinReducer, every one have different taste.