How to Create and Make Bootable Windows 7 ISO from EXE Plus Setup1.Box and Setup2.Box Files
For many people who order Windows 7 through online store such as Digital River, the download of Windows 7 ESD installation files (or 64bit Windows download links) is not in a single ISO image format, but as electronic digital distribution files. Instead, users will download and get an executable (.EXE) which name differs depending on the edition of Windows 7 ordered, plus Setup1.Box and Setup2.Box.
For example, the 3 files may be as follow:
Windows 7-HP-Retail-en-us-x86.exe or Windows 7-HP-Retail-en-us-x64.exe or Windows 7-P-Retail-en-us-x86.exe or Windows 7-P-Retail-en-us-x64.exe
setup1.box
setup2.box
For people who wants the ISO images (Windows 7 ISO can also be downloaded directly) instead, just follow the easy instructions below to create and make a bootable ISO image out of the downloaded files, which can be burned to a DVD disc for a bootable Windows 7 DVD disc.
- Put all 3 downloaded files (the .exe, setup1.box and setup2.box) in the same folder (for this tutorial, let’s assume the files are put on C:\ else you need to modify the path accordingly).
- Right click on each of three files, select Properties, and then click on Unblock button to prevent files from unable to be accessed. Click OK when done.
- Run the .exe executable as administrator. It starts to unload the box (extract and unpack the installation content), and will create a new folder called expandedSetup, and will populate the folder with all necessary Windows 7 setup files, as shown in figure below.
- Exit from Install Windows wizard dialog.
- Download Oscdimg CD/DVD Premastering Utility: oscdimg.exe
Put the downloaded oscdimg.exe into %SystemDrive%\Windows\System32 folder.
Note: oscdimg is included in Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) as part of WinPE. So if you have that installed, there is no need to download the file again.
- Open an elevated command prompt as administrator, and run the following command:
oscdimg.exe –bC:\expandedSetup\boot\etfsboot.com –u2 –h -m -lWIN_EN_DVD C:\expandedSetup\ C:\Win7.iso
Above command assumes that expandedSetup folder is located at C:\ root directory. If it’s not, change accordingly. The -llabelname (note: it’s a small L, not 1) specify volume label, which can be changed, so do the output ISO file. Also remember that if the path contains space, use quotation mark (“) to enclose the full path.
- A bootable Windows 7 DVD ISO image in UDF format will be created as Win7.iso in C:\ or any folder you specified above. Burn the newly created ISO with a CD/DVD burning software such as Nero, Ashampoo Burning Studio or Alcohol 120%. In Windows 7, burn the ISO direct from Windows 7 Explorer without third-party software. It’s also possible to create bootable Windows 7 USB flash drive with Windows 7 DVD/USB ISO Tool.
The created ISO is identical to official Windows 7 ISO for both full and retail version, and can be used to clean install Windows 7 with a upgrade license.
Update: Digital River is now also offering direct download of Windows 7 ISO.
Related posts:
- How To Make Vista Bootable DVD with WIM Downloaded Files
- Illustrative Guide to Create Bootable ISO Image from Vista .WIN Image Files
- Make 64-bit Windows Vista Bootable DVD from Microsoft WIM with vLite Guide
- How to Create a Bootable USB Flash Drive or USB Key with Vista WinPE 2.0
- Zip and Compress Files and Folders with Create Archive in Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger
180 Comments
Pages: « Previous 1 2 3 4 Next »
[...] order to upgrade from XP (unless Digital River fixed it) to Window 7 you have to create an ISO out of the download. Which is completely un-user friendly. Then take that disc you made and boot into the install, wipe [...]
Am I missing something, or could your entire article have been condensed to the last sentence, assuming you're not trying to tweak the image?
Got any tips for how to do this from a Linux/Ubuntu system? Not that I'm switching to MS Windows 7 myself. I just do technical support for other people and don't have a MS Windows system to make the CD on. Microsoft makes it difficult for some of my customers to move away from the non-free software ecosystem. So… I continue to support it short of infecting my own system with MS software.
hi
i have deleted etfsboot.com and also the win7 setup.
can any body share the etfsboot.com file for me
Thanks
Atif
Thanks for the tutorial, it works really well!!!
Hey remember TYPE OUT the command!
Good Luck!
Dis bootable disc doesnot work in other's comp.
I dont hav DVD writer so I made & burnt on my friend's comp.
DVD worked well on my friend's comp but in my comp when I run SETUP it shows "send error report"
Pls u all masterminds HELP ME PLEASE…….
PLEASE…..HELP
Can not find "etfsboot.com" in boot directory.
I just did this process and everything seems to have worked out fine. One note:
Make sure you are starting out with JUST C: at the command prompt and not something like C:Userset all…
To get back to C: at the command prompt, type:
cd C:
"cd" stands for "Change Directory". This may help if you are having issues creating the ISO.
Thanks MDL for the How-to. Cheers!
As doing a simple upgrade from vista to seven resulted in many problems (computer running slow, inability to install updates from Windows Update, I want to do a repair install by booting from my newly created boot dvd (done following the method above).
Yet I need to be sure that all my programs as well as my files (photos, films, iTunes music folder, random documents…) will still be there when I'm over and done with the repair install. On both C: and D: drives…
I read in a forum dedicated to Seven that all my drivers will need to be reinstalled, can you please explain? For instance, graphic card, sound, lan connection and video drivers might disappear, is that it?
I have also read that I will have to reinstall of my applications, does that include MS Office 2007? I do not have the install DVD so that might be a problem…
I would also like to add that I have already validated my copy of Seven even though it was not working well (I thought that would enable me to use windows update)
Could that be a problem once I have my Win 7 reinstalled? Will I have to revalidate it?
Cheers !
The given command does not works — FAILS tried on 3 pcs
oscdimg.exe –bC:expandedSetupootetfsboot.com –u2 –h -m -lWIN_EN_DVD C:expandedSetup C:Win7.iso
i modified command & used
oscdimg -n -m -bI:Win7expandedSetupootetfsboot.com I:Win7expandedSetup C:Win7x64.iso
(My source was I drive with C as destination)
it created about 3.4 GB DVD iso (bootable) of MS Win 7 , from ur command it was creating 5.91 GB dual layer ISO. My method worked and installed Win7 from this ISO.
@rkrockz
You need to enter a Serial Key. This article assumes you purchased the $30 Student upgrade which would have provided you with a Serial Key.
hi i have downloaded 3 files and made an iso using the hint above and burnt it on to a DVD successfully now the problem it is asking for activation with in 30 days …. wat is that now i have to do any one help out plzzz
Create Bootable Windows 7 ISO from Setup1.Box and Setup2.Box Files
the actial commandline-
C:IBMAdmin>oscdimg -n -m -bd:setupootetfsboot.com d:setup d:Win7x86.iso
the working accuracy 100%, trasted & Virus free.
Create Bootable Windows 7 ISO from Setup1.Box and Setup2.Box Files
the actial commandline-
C:IBMAdmin>oscdimg -n -m -bd:setupootetfsboot.com d:setup d:Vistax86.iso
the working accuracy 100%, trasted & Virus free.
Please Note, This is not my comment, I just found it, and it worked wonders for me…
I recently performed this custom install and also had problems with the command prompt method. One the other hand I am typing this with Win 7 Pro 64 installed. So here is the method I used, which is functionally the same thing as above, however, I used MagicISO.
Perform the same steps as in this article, except do not go to command prompt. Open/Download MagicISO (must have full version, get it here http://www.mediafire.com/?1y2wxmxgypm).
Then place the contents of the C:expandedSetup folder into the white box on the middle right, which are the files to be added into the .iso file.
At this time the button bar will say “Non-Bootable.” In order to make this a bootable disk click “Load boot image…” (This is all the way on the left, two buttons below the “File” menu.
This will open a window. Select the third option “From Bootable Image File” For the path type in (or browse for) C:expandedSetupootetfsboot.com
Then the the Status will change to “Bootable” and you can save the session as a .ISO.
Then burn the .iso to a dvd by clicking the “Burn CD/DVD with ISO…” button (just below the “About” menu).
Then whenever you’re ready (and your computer is thoroughly backed-up) boot from the disk, and you’re on your way to Windows 7 64 bit in no time!
The reason I know this works is because yesterday I was viewing this site in Vista 32 and now I’m typing this from Windows 7 64.
I was actually very surprised that it worked and was certain that something would be missing or go wrong. However everything is in order and all my drivers work.
Note: Once you have windows installed. Go to your device manager and update all of your drivers. Windows did a fantastic job of finding these and installing them from the web. I didn’t need to download any drivers from device vendors.
[...] User who has downloaded Windows 7 boxed ESD installation files should follow these steps to create a bootable Windows 7 ISO image from unpacked Windows 7 installation files and burn to DVD prior to follow guide [...]
everything worked great, but this is PROFFESSINAL Edition, not ULTIMATE edition. Thanks !
The simple and error free method is as described in comment 37. All other shows some errors when creating ISO image or installing WIN7 (driver file missing, etc) after creating the bootable OS .
try the tutorial on using vlite tool it is the best and the easiest method to make bootable dvd of win7
[...] drei Dateien. Wer eine Neuinstallation machen will, muss zuerst die Downloaddaten in ein .iso Image konvertieren und dieses dann auf eine DVD [...]
[...] should have been simple. I had already found this blog post setting out what to [...]
[...] How to Create and Make Bootable Windows 7 ISO from EXE Plus Setup1.Box and Setup2.Box Files? – actually following this comment on page 2 is what worked easily for me. [...]
for Windows 7 home premium student edition:
correct syntax:
oscdimg.exe -bC:expandedSetupootootsect.exe -u2 -h -m -lWIN7 C:expandedSetup C:Win7.iso
Cheers
Update:
Right after I posted my comment I found the solution on
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/10/26/windows-…
Tested & Confirmed.
Thanks!
Followed instructions, read all comments before hand, iso created fine.
Burnt it to disk using Nero, once as a normal data disk then again as a bootable disk. I'm getting the same situation as some others in that it doesn't seem to actually be bootable. I only get the blinking cursor.
The boot order is correct.
Thanks
Yes it works just make sure not to copy and paste.
Had a tech from Microsoft try this but he copied and pasted and it did not work, then told me he couldn't do it.
I sat down and read all the comments, which I thank you all btw, and found the mistake.
TYVM!
i installed AKI, but i am not able create of expandedSetup.please help me
If you copy/paste the code in Step #6 the '-' [dash] copies as ndash & causes an error from command prompt.
Replace them with '-' minus sign. Re:
oscdimg.exe -bC:….
hope it saves someone time.
So these steps were successful for the Digital River x64-bit files? from what i have read it looks like it works. Although i was getting some syntax errors from another site. I will use the ones mentioned here and give it another shot tonight.
Correct Syntax below:
C:WINDOWSsystem32>oscdimg.exe –bC:expandedSetupootootsect.exe –u2 –h -m C:expandedSetup C:Win7.iso
for me this code worked for me
C:WINDOWSsystem32oscdimg.exe -bC:expandedSetupootetfsboot.com -h -u2 -m -lWIN
_EN_DVD C:expandedSetup C:7.iso
i changed the > with a
Hey Matt, you are not an expert but you are "the man". That's work for me too.. thank
Do I need a key for all this? Do I need a key if I upgrade it from XP in boot, and or do I need a key if I did a fresh install. Or will it just auto install and be fine.
Man this saved me Thanks alot for the info. I had to search for the oscdimg.exe file but it was worth it. A hint though make sure you do not have any extra files in your folder when you create the dvd.iso or it will add them to the .iso as well
Does it say that it's a non-bootable image for everyone or is it just me?
Hey Can anyone confirm,
Is it is a WIN7 Ultimate or Jus the Basic version.
And can we use the cracks from torrents for this to Activate………….
Please, someone answer
I didn’t find the unblock tab in my right click on properties of the three elements as you said.I used windows xp sp2.thank you for all
could any one help me.
thanks
john20, if you don't see it just skip it.
Hey,Thankyou for the links,
By the way is this is WIn7 Ultimate,
Please confirm…………….
Thanks a lot man… ur simply the best
I burned a DVD with .iso file I created with the steps above, but when I select to boot from my DVD drive to do a clean install all I get is a blinking command prompt. Does anyone else have this problem?
where can i get a valid key for this version please ?
I have successfully completed the process, but PowerISO says that the ISO is a non-bootable image, what gives?
So, I read the previous comments and found the following issues applied to me (Running XP SP3):
1.)The 'oscdimg.exe' file had been blocked. Ensure that this file is also unblocked.
2.)TYPE OUT the command. I found that simply copying and pasting the command would delete the 'etfsboot.com' file – thus giving the 123 error, everytime.
3.)If you DO happen to find that the 'etfsboot.com' file has been deleted, don't fret. Simply run the setup file, again, and it will overwrite the '%expandedSetup' files. You DO NOT need to delete the '%expandedSetup' folder to run the setup program, again.
C:WINDOWSsystem32>oscdimg -bC:expandedSetupootetfsboot.com -h -u2 -m -lWIN
_EN_DVD C:expandedSetup C:7.iso
OSCDIMG 2.45 CD-ROM and DVD-ROM Premastering Utility
Copyright (C) Microsoft, 1993-2000. All rights reserved.
For Microsoft internal use only.
Scanning source tree complete (874 files in 201 directories)
Computing directory information complete
Image file is 2520809472 bytes
Writing 874 files in 201 directories to C:7.iso
100% complete
Final image file is 2523011072 bytes
WARNING: This image contains UDF file system structures.
Done.
C:WINDOWSsystem32>
Error 123 with "funny" characters ûBC: appended to your path.
I was getting this over and over and I was pasting from notpad. I was using the "Deployment tools command prompt" from the AIK. I opened a new command prompt with admin rights, switched to system32 directory, ran the same command and the 123 error went away.
Good Luck!
-Steve
I didn't find the unblock tab in my right click on properties of the three elements as you said.I used windows xp sp2.thank you for all
could any one help me.
thanks
I get a popup stating the the file, dirctory bla bla syntax is incorrect.
Thanx Michael(Oct 24th), for clearing up the 123 error!! EEEEEEGGZELLENT!
Successful for me using Michael's syntax (#35) and burning the resulting .iso using ImgBurn.
Two issues along the way that weren't show stoppers.
1) Error message at the end of expanding the contents. Said something about not owning the files or directory. I disregarded the error and it didn't matter. FYI, I'm using Vista 32 and trying to create Win7 64-bit (in case that makes any difference).
2) Couldn't copy oscdimg to System32 for some retarded reason. Or even to C:, even though unblocked it, am admin, and have full control. So ended up just giving its location in Michael's syntax (i.e cusersmedesktoposcdimg -bc (blah blah blah).
Thanks everyone!
Thank you very much… it is an awesome article.. followed the steps as stated and worked fine. once again thank you.
Followed all the steps and everything vent just fine.
Nevermind. Fixed it by unpacking the boxes again. I must have deleted etfsboot.com by inputting the commandline incorrectly.
Anyway, thanks for the walkthrough!