Win7 support:

Robert in CA wrote:
On Friday, August 30, 2019 at 9:38:14 PM UTC-7, Paul wrote:
Paul wrote:
Robert in CA wrote:
I considered the possibility the disc could have

sources\install.win
sources\install.esd

and there are two commands in the posting, one for a
.wim disc and one for a .esd disc. I think your disc
could be .esd , at least the 1903 one, as the .esd
happens to fit on single-layer media while the .wim
version does not.

dism /Get-WimInfo /WimFile:\sources\install.wim /index:1
dism /Get-WimInfo /WimFile:\sources\install.esd /index:1

The D:\ assumes that is your optical drive. If the drive
letter is something different, substitute the correct drive
letter into the command.

The discs have multiple index values. Windows Home might
be index 1. Windows Pro might be index 2. If you can get
the command to work with index 1, you can then try index 2
for fun. I think Windows Pro is "typically" around
index 4 or so. Just as a guess. All we really wanted
was the "version number" of the disc, to prove it was
1903, which would save you having to do additional downloads.

Paul

I tried it again with the same results:

https://postimg.cc/5jXrZZR1

https://postimg.cc/yJffGPhk

https://postimg.cc/1fxvb4Fc

https://postimg.cc/SnkDN5Dn

https://postimg.cc/p91ZCdxj

https://postimg.cc/RWgQC0WY

https://postimg.cc/p5QzwVNq

Robert
OK, so this one gave you a *different* error.

https://postimg.cc/SnkDN5Dn

Error 11 "An attempt was made to load a program with an incorrect
format"

I reproduced that here. I get the same result. Grrr.

And really, this takes all the fun out of it. Torturing
you with 7ZIP is never going to work - I'd hoped this method
would be easier. Thanks, Microsoft.

The reason I was expecting this to work, is I
got the impression the ESD in this case, wasn't
encrypted.

*******

OK, I give up :-)

Let's do it by size.

While your DVD is in the tray, navigate to the
sources folder. This is what I used to test.

Win10-64bit-mediacreation-1903-7OSes.iso

It's a cheesy way to ID it, but it avoids a lot of unnecessary
crappy methods to get an answer. I don't think anyone
wants to download a WADK kit to do this... Compare
the size listed here, to the one I got. Should be pretty
close (within a few bytes). No two ESD files are exactly
the same, and I cannot begin to estimate the possible
size differences for you. The ones so created, likely
have different date stamps inside. Which could change
the length of the file (as well as the checksum).

3,346,473,984 bytes for the x64 Win10 Mediacreation install.ESD file.

https://i.postimg.cc/d11s8jsY/1903-M...eation-x64.gif

Paul
I found another way to do it.

https://wimlib.net/

# wimlib v1.13.1 Windows binaries (32-bit)

https://wimlib.net/downloads/wimlib-...s-i686-bin.zip

# wimlib v1.13.1 Windows binaries (64-bit) === useful for your machines

https://wimlib.net/downloads/wimlib-...x86_64-bin.zip

Inside the file, you will find

wimlib-15.dll
wimlib-imagex.exe

You can copy those out of the ZIP download, to your downloads folder.

cd %userprofile%\Downloads

wimlib-imagex info D:\sources\install.esd

It seems to handle ESD or WIM files better than Win7 DISM.

The 32 bit version even ran on WinXP :-)

It says the release on my test ISO is 18362 (which is 1903 Win10).

Paul



I'm trying to follow along but your
screens are different than mine? I'm
not exactly sure what were doing?

I tried downloading and installing
the 64bit version and got this screen
but I didn't know what I was looking
at or suppose to do so closed it.

https://postimg.cc/nC9R3VrB

Robert

Copy the "libwim-15.dll" file from there, to another folder
with a name you'll remember ("wimlib-imagex").

Copy the "wimlib-imagex.exe" file into wimlib-imagex folder too.

Put the win10 DVD into the tray of the drive. Close the door.
Hold the "shift" key to stop any stupid OS prompts.

In a command prompt:

cd /d %userprofile%\Downloads\wimlib-imagex # change working directory to the folder
# with the copied two files.

wimlib-imagex info D:\sources\install.esd # Assuming D: is your optical drive and
# the disc has an "install.esd" on it, try
# the command out.

The program is "portable". It doesn't have to install as such.

HTH,
Paul

Copy the "libwim-15.dll" file from there, to another folder
with a name you'll remember ("wimlib-imagex").

Copy the "wimlib-imagex.exe" file into wimlib-imagex folder too.

Put the win10 DVD into the tray of the drive. Close the door.
Hold the "shift" key to stop any stupid OS prompts.

In a command prompt:

cd /d %userprofile%\Downloads\wimlib-imagex # change working directory to the folder
# with the copied two files.

wimlib-imagex info D:\sources\install.esd # Assuming D: is your optical drive and
# the disc has an "install.esd" on it, try
# the command out.

The program is "portable". It doesn't have to install as such.

HTH,
Paul


Win10 DVD? (the Media Creation Tool one?)
before we do anything please explain what
this is going to do? If I put the files in
the folder and insert the DVD what will it
do? I don't want to install Win10 on the
current HD or experiment with it or mess
it up. I would need to switch it first with
my back-up HD and then do it.

So would I need to click the 64 bit install
again to bring up that screen?

btw I thought I caught a Trojan Horse virus.
I had some application that appeared and kept
coming back whenever I opened up FF even after
restarting and had to use Task Manager to get
rid of it. Then I didn't try to open FF after
that and I ran all scans which came up with
nothing and tried FF again and it was OK, whew!

Robert

Robert in CA wrote:

wimlib-imagex info D:\sources\install.esd

Win10 DVD? (the Media Creation Tool one?)
before we do anything please explain what
this is going to do? If I put the files in
the folder and insert the DVD what will it
do? I don't want to install Win10 on the
current HD or experiment with it or mess
it up. I would need to switch it first with
my back-up HD and then do it.

This is a method for determining *what* release
of Windows 10 is on an installer DVD.

This started because you showed me a picture of
a folder that contained an 1809 ISO file, when
we were working on installing 1903 using a DVD.
I think your DVD does have 1903 on it, and
the 1809 files you showed me were an anomaly
from a previous discussion we had.

I was trying to determine whether the DVD had
1809 or 1903, before suggesting you use the DVD
to do any more Windows 10 installs.

I was trying to save you from doing additional
4GB downloads when Windows automatically updates
an 1809 install to 1903 anyway. By using the above
command, the idea was we would know for sure it
was a 1903 disc (release 18362 or so in the text
it displays).

It's too bad Microsoft isn't as smart as Macrium.
As Macrium places two files on the Rescue CD,
one with "Version", the other with "PEVersion",
and that makes it real easy to determine which
version of Macrium is on the CD. Too bad the
Windows discs can't do that. Instead, the information
is buried inside the WIM/ESD file, and requires
manual techniques to get at.

At the moment, you don't have to do anything. If
there was an issue, all that using the wrong
version would do, is encourage more downloads
at a later date. Not a big deal, if you don't
have a cap per month on downloads. My limit here
is around 400GB per month, which is plenty for
a greedy OS like Windows 10 :-) An extra 4GB download
would not hurt me. But some posters are on Hughes
Satellite, and for them, maybe 2GB/month is their
cap, and we have to be really really careful not
to "ruin a month" for them. I know there are
other ADSL ISPs here, who have limits a lot
lower than 400GB. So the idea is to encourage
good hygiene when it is possible to do so.

Paul

I moved the files to the folder and then
inserted the DVD and tried the command.

https://postimg.cc/YLQk1LXf

https://postimg.cc/cvxZnHfw

Robert

Robert in CA wrote:
I moved the files to the folder and then
inserted the DVD and tried the command.

https://postimg.cc/YLQk1LXf

https://postimg.cc/cvxZnHfw

Robert

OK, you're getting dialed in there.

Your Command Prompt command has to reflect what
was in the first picture. I see

cd /d "C:\users\RB\My Documents\(LibWim-ImageX)"

Those brackets in the folder name, make me nervous.
You can try, in File Explorer, to rename that
folder and remove the "(" and ")".

The path doesn't really need double-quotes, as the
CD command tolerates a space character in the path.
Using double-quotes is a way to attempt to isolate
interpretation of the path. Another way is to use
an alternate namespace.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/win.../naming-a-file

"For file I/O, the "\\?\" prefix to a path string tells
the Windows APIs to disable all string parsing and to
send the string that follows it straight to the file system."

That means we could try it this way, and it just might work.
With the brackets removed, it should not need the help of doing that.

cd /d "\\?\C:\users\RB\My Documents\(LibWim-ImageX)"

Using the \\?\ is intended to stop the shell from attempting
to act on the brackets (and throw an error).

With the brackets removed, you could try it this way again.

cd /d C:\users\RB\My Documents\LibWim-ImageX

As they say, "be prepared to be annoyed" :-)
This is why we have computers.

Paul

I'm not following you about the quotes?
I didn't use any quotes.

https://postimg.cc/cvxZnHfw

I see no quotes in this picture.

Robert

Robert in CA wrote:
I'm not following you about the quotes?
I didn't use any quotes.

https://postimg.cc/cvxZnHfw

I see no quotes in this picture.

Robert

There has to be a space character between /d
and the following %userprofile% part.

When you open a Command Prompt as administrator, you're
thrown into the system32 folder. By using the change
directory command, you're changing back to the
users folder structure. The %userprofile% is a shorthand
for whatever user account you're logged in with. It's
an environment variable, and expands to the string
on demand.

Double quotes are required when passing path strings
to third-party programs, whereas a couple of the shell
commands like "CD" know there is only one parameter
coming at the end of the line. If "My Documents" has
that space character in it, the CD command is OK with
that and considers they're part of the same string.
Whereas third party programs assume the space character
delimits the beginning of a new string.

At the moment, you just need some space in the line.

cd /d %userprofile%\Downloads\wimlib-imagex

Then the command for the wimlib-imagex program
to carry out its "info" option, where the last
parameter on the line is the path to the install.esd file.

Paul

There has to be a space character between /d
and the following %userprofile% part.

When you open a Command Prompt as administrator, you're
thrown into the system32 folder. By using the change
directory command, you're changing back to the
users folder structure. The %userprofile% is a shorthand
for whatever user account you're logged in with. It's
an environment variable, and expands to the string
on demand.

Double quotes are required when passing path strings
to third-party programs, whereas a couple of the shell
commands like "CD" know there is only one parameter
coming at the end of the line. If "My Documents" has
that space character in it, the CD command is OK with
that and considers they're part of the same string.
Whereas third party programs assume the space character
delimits the beginning of a new string.

At the moment, you just need some space in the line.

cd /d %userprofile%\Downloads\wimlib-imagex

Then the command for the wimlib-imagex program
to carry out its "info" option, where the last
parameter on the line is the path to the install.esd file.

Paul


I tried again and gave a space and then gave it
even more space but but didn't work.

https://postimg.cc/Xrhh8C8C

Robert

Robert in CA wrote:
There has to be a space character between /d
and the following %userprofile% part.

When you open a Command Prompt as administrator, you're
thrown into the system32 folder. By using the change
directory command, you're changing back to the
users folder structure. The %userprofile% is a shorthand
for whatever user account you're logged in with. It's
an environment variable, and expands to the string
on demand.

Double quotes are required when passing path strings
to third-party programs, whereas a couple of the shell
commands like "CD" know there is only one parameter
coming at the end of the line. If "My Documents" has
that space character in it, the CD command is OK with
that and considers they're part of the same string.
Whereas third party programs assume the space character
delimits the beginning of a new string.

At the moment, you just need some space in the line.

cd /d %userprofile%\Downloads\wimlib-imagex

Then the command for the wimlib-imagex program
to carry out its "info" option, where the last
parameter on the line is the path to the install.esd file.

Paul


I tried again and gave a space and then gave it
even more space but but didn't work.

https://postimg.cc/Xrhh8C8C

Robert

Did you change the folder name to match the command above ?

Navigate to that folder and prove it is the same as the
name you've typed in. Either the folder name needs to be
corrected, or the command needs to be corrected. They
need to match to get the job done.

Paul

Did you change the folder name to match the command above ?

Navigate to that folder and prove it is the same as the
name you've typed in. Either the folder name needs to be
corrected, or the command needs to be corrected. They
need to match to get the job done.

Paul


I tried again,.. this time I looked at the command
to match mine and I realized mine was located in 'My
Documents' not Downloads then later realized the folder
was named different also so changed that but it still
didn't work. Am I missing something or not doing something?

https://postimg.cc/w3G07N0S

https://postimg.cc/K1y7MDLs

Robert

I moved the folder to downloads and
renamed it but it still wouldn't run.

https://postimg.cc/rdK6zxLP

https://postimg.cc/6yXyR5q0


Robert

Robert in CA wrote:
I moved the folder to downloads and
renamed it but it still wouldn't run.

https://postimg.cc/rdK6zxLP

https://postimg.cc/6yXyR5q0


Robert

OK, in your first picture, the wimlib-imagex has "(" and ")"
in the name as well.

The Command Prompt version you typed, lacks the "(" and ")"
that can be seen in File Explorer.

You might want to go to File Explorer, highlight the item
and rename it, removing the "(" and ")" part only.

Then the Command Prompt first step should work.

cd /d %userprofile%\Downloads\wimlib-imagex

wimlib-imagex.exe info D:\sources\install.esd

where the "D:\sources\install.esd" path should be adjusted
to where your DVD drive is actually located. In File Explorer,
with the DVD in the tray, you can verify there is an install.esd
in the sources\ folder before running the actual command.

Paul

On Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at 7:25:16 AM UTC-7, Paul wrote:
Robert in CA wrote:
I moved the folder to downloads and
renamed it but it still wouldn't run.

https://postimg.cc/rdK6zxLP

https://postimg.cc/6yXyR5q0


Robert

OK, in your first picture, the wimlib-imagex has "(" and ")"
in the name as well.

The Command Prompt version you typed, lacks the "(" and ")"
that can be seen in File Explorer.

You might want to go to File Explorer, highlight the item
and rename it, removing the "(" and ")" part only.

Then the Command Prompt first step should work.

cd /d %userprofile%\Downloads\wimlib-imagex

wimlib-imagex.exe info D:\sources\install.esd

where the "D:\sources\install.esd" path should be adjusted
to where your DVD drive is actually located. In File Explorer,
with the DVD in the tray, you can verify there is an install.esd
in the sources\ folder before running the actual command.

Paul


Again, I see no quotes...strange that
you see them and I don't?

Robert

On Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at 7:25:16 AM UTC-7, Paul wrote:
Robert in CA wrote:
I moved the folder to downloads and
renamed it but it still wouldn't run.

https://postimg.cc/rdK6zxLP

https://postimg.cc/6yXyR5q0


Robert

OK, in your first picture, the wimlib-imagex has "(" and ")"
in the name as well.

The Command Prompt version you typed, lacks the "(" and ")"
that can be seen in File Explorer.

You might want to go to File Explorer, highlight the item
and rename it, removing the "(" and ")" part only.

Then the Command Prompt first step should work.

cd /d %userprofile%\Downloads\wimlib-imagex

wimlib-imagex.exe info D:\sources\install.esd

where the "D:\sources\install.esd" path should be adjusted
to where your DVD drive is actually located. In File Explorer,
with the DVD in the tray, you can verify there is an install.esd
in the sources\ folder before running the actual command.

Paul



I went to file explorer but again I do
not see the quotes your referring to.

https://postimg.cc/N9RBSTWV

https://postimg.cc/tYspGKQW

I really don't understand how your
seeing something that doesn't show
on my computer. Isn't that strange?

I see no qoutes in the CMD either. It's
exactly how you typed it to me.


Robert

Robert in CA wrote:
On Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at 7:25:16 AM UTC-7, Paul wrote:
Robert in CA wrote:
I moved the folder to downloads and
renamed it but it still wouldn't run.

https://postimg.cc/rdK6zxLP

https://postimg.cc/6yXyR5q0


Robert
OK, in your first picture, the wimlib-imagex has "(" and ")"
in the name as well.

The Command Prompt version you typed, lacks the "(" and ")"
that can be seen in File Explorer.

You might want to go to File Explorer, highlight the item
and rename it, removing the "(" and ")" part only.

Then the Command Prompt first step should work.

cd /d %userprofile%\Downloads\wimlib-imagex

wimlib-imagex.exe info D:\sources\install.esd

where the "D:\sources\install.esd" path should be adjusted
to where your DVD drive is actually located. In File Explorer,
with the DVD in the tray, you can verify there is an install.esd
in the sources\ folder before running the actual command.

Paul



I went to file explorer but again I do
not see the quotes your referring to.

https://postimg.cc/N9RBSTWV

https://postimg.cc/tYspGKQW

I really don't understand how your
seeing something that doesn't show
on my computer. Isn't that strange?

I see no qoutes in the CMD either. It's
exactly how you typed it to me.


Robert

Keep a weather eye peeled. They're there.

https://i.postimg.cc/NFZgCNpr/brackets.gif

Paul