How to Create a Custom Windows 11 ISO

Windows 11 has brought a wave of excitement with its sleek design and new features. However, for power users and IT professionals, there is often a need to customize the operating system beyond what Microsoft provides in the standard installation media. Creating a custom Windows 11 ISO allows you to tailor the OS to meet your specific requirements, such as pre-installing applications, removing unwanted components, or configuring specific settings.

What is a Custom Windows 11 ISO?

A custom Windows 11 ISO is a modified version of the original Windows 11 installation image. By creating a custom ISO, you can include specific drivers, updates, applications, and settings, making it ideal for deployment in environments where you need a specific configuration or when you want to streamline the installation process for multiple machines.

Why Create a Custom Windows 11 ISO?

Creating a custom Windows 11 ISO can provide numerous benefits, including:

1. Automated Installation: Pre-configure settings and applications to automate the installation process.
2. Remove Bloatware: Eliminate unnecessary applications and components that come pre-installed with Windows 11.
3. Add Drivers and Updates: Include necessary drivers and updates so they are installed automatically.
4. Enhanced Privacy: Disable telemetry and other services to improve privacy.
5. Improved Performance: Customize system settings to optimize performance for specific hardware configurations.

How to Create a Custom Windows 11 ISO

Creating a custom Windows 11 ISO involves several steps, including downloading the Windows 11 ISO, preparing a working environment, using a tool to modify the ISO, and finally, saving your custom ISO. Below are the detailed steps:

Step 1: Download the Official Windows 11 ISO

First, you need to download the official Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft’s website. Follow these steps:

1. Visit the Microsoft Download Center.
2. Select "Download now" under the "Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)" section.
3. Choose the edition of Windows 11 you want and click "Confirm."
4. Select the product language and click "Confirm" again.
5. Click the download link to download the ISO file.

Step 2: Set Up a Working Environment

Before customizing the Windows 11 ISO, you’ll need to set up a working environment. You will require a few tools:

1. Windows ADK (Assessment and Deployment Kit): Includes the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool.
2. Windows PE (Preinstallation Environment): Part of the Windows ADK.
3. A reliable ISO editing tool: Tools like NTLite or WinReducer are popular for modifying Windows ISOs.

Install the Windows ADK and Windows PE:

1. Download the Windows ADK.
2. Install the ADK and select the Deployment Tools option.
3. Install the Windows PE add-on after installing the ADK.

Step 3: Mount the Windows 11 ISO

Once you have your working environment set up, the next step is to mount the Windows 11 ISO.

1. Right-click the ISO file you downloaded from Microsoft and select "Mount."
2. This will create a virtual DVD drive with the contents of the ISO.

Step 4: Copy the Windows 11 Files

Create a new folder on your PC to store the Windows 11 files.

1. Copy all the files from the mounted ISO to this new folder.
2. Make sure you have enough storage space as this will take up a significant amount of disk space.

Step 5: Customize the Windows 11 Installation

Now, you’re ready to customize your Windows 11 installation. This is where tools like DISM, NTLite, or WinReducer come in handy. Here’s how to use DISM to add drivers or remove components:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Right-click on the Start menu and select "Command Prompt (Admin)."
2. Mount the Windows Image: Use the DISM tool to mount the Windows image. The command is:

   DISM /Mount-WIM /WimFile:C:\path\to\install.wim /Index:1 /MountDir:C:\path\to\mount
   

3. Add Drivers: If you want to add drivers to the image, use:

   DISM /Image:C:\path\to\mount /Add-Driver /Driver:C:\path\to\drivers /Recurse
   

4. Remove Packages: To remove unnecessary packages, use:

   DISM /Image:C:\path\to\mount /Remove-Package /PackageName:
   

5. Commit Changes and Unmount: After making your changes, commit them and unmount the image:

   DISM /Unmount-WIM /MountDir:C:\path\to\mount /Commit
   

Step 6: Create the Custom Windows 11 ISO

Once you have customized the Windows 11 installation files, you need to create a new ISO. You can use tools like Oscdimg (part of the Windows ADK) or third-party tools like ImgBurn.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Use the following Oscdimg command to create the ISO: oscdimg -m -u2 -bC:\path\to\boot\etfsboot.com C:\path\to\custom\windows11\ C:\path\to\new\custom_windows11.iso

This command will create a bootable ISO from the modified Windows 11 installation files.

Enjoy Windows 11 on Any PC with AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional

Now that you have your custom Windows 11 ISO, you might wonder how to easily deploy it on different PCs, especially those that may not support a standard installation. This is where AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional comes in.

AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional is a comprehensive disk management tool designed to help users manage their hard drives and partitions. One of its standout features is Windows To Go, which allows users to install Windows 11 on a USB drive and run it on any PC, without any compatibility issues.

The "Windows To Go" feature makes it incredibly easy to run your customized Windows 11 on any PC. Here’s how to use it:

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant Pro. Click “Tools” in the top toolbar, and choose “Windows To Go Creator”.

Step 2. Choose the first option "Create Windows To Go with system disc/ISO". Click the folder icon to select ISO manually. After that, click "Next" to continue.

Step 3. Please select the location of the Windows ISO file you need, and click “Next”.

Step 4. Select the target USB drive here and click “Proceed”.

Step 5. Read the prompt carefully, and then click “YES”.

Benefits of Using AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional for Windows 11

Using AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional to create a "Windows To Go" drive offers several advantages:

• Portability: Run your custom Windows 11 on any compatible PC without needing to go through the installation process each time.
• Compatibility: Overcome compatibility issues with PCs that may not support Windows 11 natively.
• Security: Keep your data secure as you can carry your entire operating system on a USB drive.
• Convenience: Quickly switch between different PCs while maintaining the same operating environment and settings.

Conclusion

Creating a custom Windows 11 ISO can significantly enhance your Windows experience by allowing you to tailor the operating system to your specific needs. While the process requires a bit of setup and technical know-how, the benefits are well worth it for those looking to streamline their installations or maintain a consistent environment across multiple PCs.

With AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional, deploying your custom Windows 11 ISO has never been easier. The "Windows To Go" feature is a powerful tool that ensures you can enjoy your personalized Windows 11 experience on any compatible PC, making it perfect for both personal use and IT professionals.