Build-Wim

PowerShell WIM Capture Utility 🛠️

General-purpose PowerShell script for capturing any source directory into a Windows Image (.wim) file. This utility is designed to streamline the software staging process in enterprise environments by converting large file structures into compressed, mountable containers.

✨ Key Features

• Universal Capture: Optimised for any folder structure, including software source files, driver repositories, or OS components.
• Automatic Workspace Management: Automatically detects and creates the C:\Wim output directory if it does not already exist.
• Built-in Safety Checks:
  • Admin Verification: Ensures the session has elevated privileges required for DISM operations.
  • Path Validation: Verifies the existence of the source directory before execution to prevent process failure.
• Interactive CLI: Simple prompts for defining capture paths and file names.

📋 Prerequisites

• Operating System: Windows 10, Windows 11, or Windows Server.
• Permissions: Must be executed as Administrator (required for WIM capture).
• Dependencies: Requires the DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) PowerShell module.
  • Note: This is included by default on most Windows installations. If running in a "WinPE" or specialized environment, the Windows ADK may be required.

🚀 Common Use Cases

• Application Packaging: Converting large installation sources into WIMs to minimize local disk footprint during staging (e.g., LabVIEW, MATLAB, Autodesk).
• Infrastructure Management: Capturing file-based image components for OS deployment (OSD) workflows.
• Data Archiving: Compressing complex directory structures into a single, mountable file format.

🛠️ Usage Instructions

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator.
2. Navigate to the script directory and execute the utility:

   .\Build-Wim.ps1

3. Input the Full Path of the folder you wish to capture when prompted by the CLI.
4. Assign a Name for the resulting .wim file.
5. The script will execute the DISM capture and save the final image to C:\Wim.

📁 Output & Logging

• Target Output: C:\Wim
• System Logs: C:\Windows\Logs\DISM\dism.log

---

A professional automation utility for Application Packagers and System Administrators.