Tired of manually installing your favorite apps after setting up Windows? This guide will show you how to embed third-party applications directly into your Windows installation media, saving you time and effort. Whether you’re setting up multiple PCs or just want a customized Windows experience, this method works for Windows 10 and 11.

Why Add Apps to Windows Setup?

✔ Save time – No need to install apps manually after setup.
✔ Consistency – Ensure all your preferred apps are pre-installed.
✔ Great for IT admins & tech enthusiasts – Ideal for deploying custom Windows images.

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Tools You’ll Need

1. Rufus – For creating bootable USB drives.
2. Oracle VirtualBox – To create a virtual machine for customization.
3. Hiren’s BootCD PE (or any Windows PE environment) – For capturing the final image.
4. A USB drive (16GB+ recommended) – Larger if embedding many apps.

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Step-by-Step Guide

1. Download Windows ISO

• Use Rufus to download the latest Windows 11/10 ISO:
• Open Rufus → Click “Download” → Select Windows 11/10 → Choose your language.
• Save the ISO to your computer.

2. Create a Virtual Machine (VM) for Customization

1. Open VirtualBox → Click “New”.
2. Name it (e.g., “Windows 11 Custom”) and select the downloaded ISO.
3. Allocate at least 4GB RAM & 80GB storage (more if installing many apps).
4. Start the VM and install Windows normally (skip account creation).

3. Enter Audit Mode (For Customization)

• During the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE), press Ctrl + Shift + F3.
• This reboots into Audit Mode, allowing system changes without creating a user account.

4. Install Your Apps

• Download and install all desired apps (e.g., Chrome, VLC, 7-Zip).
• You can use tools like Ninite for batch installations.

5. Sysprep the System

• Open File Explorer → Navigate to:

  C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep

• Run sysprep.exe → Select “Enter System Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE)”.
• Check “Generalize” (if reusing on different hardware).
• Set Shutdown option → Click OK.

6. Capture the Customized Windows Image

1. Boot into Hiren’s BootCD PE (or any Windows PE environment).
2. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
3. Run:

   dism /capture-image /imagefile:D:\install.wim /capturedir:C:\ /name:"Custom_Windows" /compress:max

• This saves the image as install.wim on drive D: (adjust paths as needed).

7. Replace the Original install.wim on Your USB

1. Mount your Windows installation USB.
2. Navigate to \sources\install.wim and replace it with your custom install.wim.

8. (Optional) Compress to ESD for Smaller Size

To save space, convert install.wim to install.esd:

dism /export-image /sourceimagefile:D:\install.wim /sourceindex:1 /destinationimagefile:C:\install.esd /compress:recovery /checkintegrity

• Replace the USB’s install.wim with the new install.esd.

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Testing Your Custom Windows Install

• Boot from the USB and install Windows as usual.
• All your pre-installed apps will be ready after setup!

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Final Thoughts

✅ Best for: IT admins, tech enthusiasts, or anyone who frequently reinstalls Windows.
✅ Saves time – No more manual app installations.
⚠ Limitations:

• Large apps increase ISO size (may need a bigger USB).
• Some apps may require reactivation after sysprep.

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Tags

Windows Customization, Windows Installation, Rufus, VirtualBox, Sysprep, DISM

Hashtags

#Windows11 #Windows10 #CustomWindows #TechGuide #ITAdmin

Disclaimer:

• Always back up data before modifying system files.
• Some apps may require reactivation after sysprep.
• Microsoft does not officially support modifying install.wim.

Rakesh Bhardwaj

Rakesh Bhardwaj is a seasoned editor and designer with over 15 years of experience in the creative industry. He specializes in crafting visually compelling and professionally polished content, blending precision with creativity. Whether refining written work or designing impactful visuals, Rakesh brings a deep understanding of layout, typography, and narrative flow to every project he undertakes.

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