A guide to integrate post SP1 updates into Windows 7 installation media using DISM. The entire process is best performed on SSD disk with anti-virus disabled – for performance reasons only. Replace files and directories paths to match your environment.
Step 1 – Download Windows Updates Downloader
Windows Updates Downloader like the name implies downloads windows updates. It is available at http://www.windowsupdatesdownloader.com/
Install it and run it once – it will simplify updates lists installation.
Step 2 – Download updates lists
Windows Updates Downloader needs list to know which updates to download. Lists can be found athttp://www.windowsupdatesdownloader.com/UpdateLists.aspx
Step 3 – Optional – download updated lists, with extras and add-ons
Windows Updates Downloader (or simply WUD) lists are not always current, updated lists, or lists including add-ons or 3rd party software can be found at MSFN forums here: http://www.msfn.org/board/forum/166-user-contributed-update-lists/
Once downloaded double click the list, WUD should load it automatically.
Step 4 – Download updates
In WUD main window select the updates list, choose destination folder, select updates and click download. After download has finished it’s best to move all downloaded files into single folder.
Step 5 – Optional – download IE11
To integrate IE11 you need to download it in cab file.
Step 6 – Find index number of desired Windows edition
In command prompt run:
dism /Get-Wiminfo /WimFile:<wim_file>
install.wim file is located in sources directory of Windows installation media. This command cannot be run in the folder that contain install.wim file.
Step 7 – Mount install.wim file
In command promp run:
dism /Mount-Wim /WimFile:<wim_file> /Index:<image_number> /MountDir:<mount_directory>
Step 8 – Apply updates to mounted image
In command prompt run:
dism /image:<mount_directory> /Add-Package /Packagepath:<folder_with_updates>
Dism will only integrate updates in current folder. See step 4.
Warning: Not all updates can be integrated, so some will fail. This is expected behavior.
Step 9 – Optional – add drivers
If integrating drivers, make sure all drivers are extracted and include .inf file. While still in command prompt run:
dism /Image:<mount_directory> /Add-Driver /Driver:<folder_with_drivers> /Recurse
Drivers can be in subfolders, /Recurse switch makes dism look for all drivers in all subfolders.
Warning: All integrated drivers will be installed, even the drivers for hardware not present in the destination machine and can consume substantial amount of disk space. Choose drivers carefully.
Step 10 – Unmount the image and commit all changes
In command prompt run:
dism /Unmount-Wim /MountDir:<mount_directory> /Commit
Step 11 – Create iso or flash drive installation disk
Use your favorite tool to create iso or usb flash drive installation disk. Final installation image can get bigger than 4.7GB so use of flash drive is preferred.
Conclusion
There you have it. It will greatly reduce your deployment time and give you updated system right after Windows installation is done. Don’t forget to run Windows Update after installation to get updates that cannot be integrated.
This guide assumes the use of Windows 7. Dism command syntax is slightly different on Windows 8 or 8.1