Win8.1 Update: The new WIMBoot overview

Many users who like early adopters believe that they have already been exposed to the Windows8.1 update system. Faced with this new system, WIMBoot still has many users. Understand, do not know how to better use this feature, now we will introduce you to the new WIMBoot technology under win8.1update.

First, WIMBoot technology

WIMBoot, which is Windows image file boot, means that the system directly reads a WIM image to complete the entire boot process, and the WIM image is equivalent to the existing system disk. And its volume is greatly compressed, up to 4G (this compression ratio is equivalent to a complete system image of Win8.1 with Update).

This technology can help OEM computer manufacturers deploy systems, upgrade systems or create restore partitions.

Second, WIMBoot limitations

The current new technology can not be applied to all Windows platforms, only for Windows 8.1, Windows 8.1 Update (partial support of Win7 platform), specifically covering x64, x86, ARM platform, but WIMBoot does not support the same platform Windows Server 2012 R2.

If the computer is a traditional BIOS, then you will not be able to use WIMBoot technology. Therefore, WIMBoot is only suitable for PC devices based on UEFI motherboards.

In terms of memory devices, WIMBoot is perfectly compatible with existing SSD solid state drives and eMMC memory devices, but does not support traditional mechanical hard drives and hybrid hard drives. (Considering the technology of disk reading, fast boot, etc., slow traditional mechanical disks can not meet the higher speed requirements of WIMBoot)

Therefore, WIMBoot is only used for SSD solid state drives and needs to be stored to SSD or eMMC. Memory.

If you are a traditional PC user, you can also configure a second mechanical hard drive or a hybrid hard drive to expand more disk storage space.

Note: Some system backup tools, anti-virus software and disk encryption tools are not compatible with WIMBoot images.

Third, WIMBoot principle

After talking about the new features of WIMBoot, you have to mention the basic principles. How does WIMBoot achieve lower disk footprint than traditional Windows installations? The TechNet community also unveiled how it works.

During the traditional Windows system installation process, all system files will be written to the local disk twice: the first to write compressed archived system backup files to the disk; the second time to write to the uncompressed archive system file. When the system installation task is completed, our local system disk will store a compressed version of the system backup file.

A large number of system installation files and backup files occupy our local disk space. Therefore, the minimum disk requirement for Windows 8.1 is 16G, and the actual installation occupies about 10G space.

When we use WIMBoot technology to install a new Windows system, the entire process only needs to be written to the local disk once, and the whole process is compressed archive. Then, the Windows partition will set a set of pointers to the compressed files corresponding to the image partition. When the user continues to write new files, Modern applications and update patches for the system, these new files will continue to be written to the Windows partition.

The more attractive thing is that with WIMBoot installation technology, we will get a WIMBoot image, which can be used as a system restore image for native applications, and continue to save local disk space.

1, the new partition division

• traditional Windows disk partition mode:

For example, Win8.1 will automatically generate two system partitions (ESP and MSR), a Windows Partition and two independent restore partitions.

//GPT disk partition is as follows: System, MSR, WinRE, Windows, Recovery

• WIMBoot version Windows disk partition mode:

Image partition will contain multiple Compressed image files, such as install.wim, winre.wim, and custom.wim; Windows partitions all use a compressed version of the file (pointer file), the remaining disk space is mainly used to store new files written by users later, such as registration Tables, page files, hibernation files, personal data, and third-party modern applications or update patches.

//GPT disk partition is as follows: System, MSR, Windows, Images

2, custom factory image

With WIMBoot technology, users can manually create an independent The custom.wim file can contain Windows update patches, pre-installed applications, and drivers.

3, WIMBoot and Secure Boot

WIMBoot is perfectly compatible with the Secure Boot mechanism brought by Win8, but users may need to give up some hard disk encryption tools, even Windows built-in BitLocker function. .

According to Microsoft, the use of disk encryption may affect local system performance.

4, DISM

How to use or customize the WIMBoot function, we need to use the latest DISM tool of Win8.1 Update.

After the above detailed introduction, I believe that users have a certain understanding of this new WIMBoot technology, and also witnessed its powerful features, but this new technology can not be applied to all Windows platform, only for win8.1, win8.1 update platform.