MSMG Toolkit: Add/Remove Windows Components from ISO Images

MSMG Toolkit to Add Remove Windows Components

In this post, you will know how to Use MSMG Toolkit to Add/Remove Windows Components from ISO Images. A detailed guide with step-wise instructions. If you have a custom ISO image that includes all of the changes you want to make to Windows after you install it, you can create and deploy multiple Windows ISO images. Because ISO images can be modified directly, you no longer need to deploy the first and make the necessary modifications on each device.

 

This post tells you how to add and remove Windows components before you start a new installation of Windows from the ISO file. It’s beneficial for IT administrators who regularly change their systems and software.

Slipstreaming was already discussed in one of our articles. Slipstreaming is the process of integrating Microsoft update packages into current ISO images so that users do not have to download a whole ISO package again and can update their existing one.

 

The MSMG Toolkit, on the other hand, is used to customize the current packages and components within an ISO image or to add new independent components.

Let’s go through the MSMG Toolkit and its advantages in further detail.

 

What is MSMG Toolkit

MSMG Toolkit is a command-line application that may be used to manipulate a variety of operations on ISO, WIM, and ESD image files. For example, it may be used for conversion, adding and deleting components, making bootable devices, etc. Today, we’ll use this helpful application to add and remove Windows components to make it more lightweight and bloat-free.

MSMG Toolkit

 

The MSMG Toolkit doesn’t require you to learn any more or more complicated cmdlets. Instead, it is a system based on actions and their numbers. For example, select a number alongside the actions specified in the main menu in the image above. For instance, if I wish to choose a source, I would enter 1 and press Enter.

 

There are various advantages to using MSMG Toolkit, particularly for people who need to regularly install operating systems on several devices. To begin, any modifications made to the image will be reproduced across all devices on which the image is used. As a result, after deploying the image on each unique system, you will no longer be required to perform the same actions, saving both time and unnecessary effort.

 

You can also save space on the system partition by getting rid of bloatware, which takes up space on the hard drive (non-essential components) while also updating the ISO image by including extra add-ons like feature packs, Windows updates, drivers, etc.

 

In comparison, there is no disadvantage to using MSMG Toolkit, except that you may need to spend some time performing the task of adding and deleting components. However, you will save money by not repeating the identical operations on each device when the image is deployed.

 

Let me now go through each item on the menu and explain what it does. At this point, we’d like you to understand that not just one thing from the menu is accessed to perform a task.

For example, if we want to optimize an ISO image, we must first select the source (1), then integrate (2) or remove (3) components, or maybe both. We must then (5) apply the adjustments and (6) save the modified image to a specific (6) location. As a result, the majority of the menus must be accessed sequentially.

 

Source

Source MSMG Toolkit

Select the image you wish to work on from the Source menu. Next, the image or extracted content must be pasted/moved to a specific folder. While performing the task, this will be discussed in detail lower down the article.

 

Integrate

Integrate MSMG Toolkit

As seen in the image above, you may integrate the material into the image using the Integrate menu. However, each component must first be transferred to its designated location, which will be discussed further in the article.

 

Remove

Remove menu MSMG

Existing image components, such as Windows components and Windows apps, can be removed from the image using the Remove menu.

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Customize

Customize menu MSMG

Using the Customize menu, you may enable or disable Windows functions and import and export system registries and other settings. In addition, it allows you to pre-enable or disable settings that are not required by the end-user.

 

Apply

Apply Menu MSMG toolkit

Once all of the customizations and changes have been made, it is time to apply the changes to the new image through the Apply menu. It will save any modifications that have been made and unmount the image.

 

Target

Target Menu MSMG toolkit

The Target menu is where you may use the new customizations to create an ISO image or a bootable device.

 

Tools

Tools menu MSMG toolkit

The Tools menu may be used to customize the MSMG CLI or the newly produced image, such as changing its name, converting or merging it with another image, etc.

 

Now that you realize what each of the MSMG Toolkit menus does, let’s go ahead and add and proceed with Windows components.

 

How to Use MSMG Toolkit to Add or Remove Windows Components from ISO Images

You must first have an ISO image that you want to customize. If you don’t have one, refer to this guide to download any version of Windows 10.

 

Note: Before proceeding, we highly advise you to create a system restore point because improper manipulation might be deadly to your device’s operating system.

Now, follow the steps below to customize your ISO image according to your needs.

 

Selecting a Source

You must first choose the source, which is the ISO image you wish to work with. To start the process, follow the steps below:

 

1. Download the MSMG Toolkit from Official Website.

 

Download MSMG Toolkit

 

2. After downloading, extract the zip file to a location of your choice. Make sure the drive has plenty of additional room.

3. Now, copy the ISO image you wish to manipulate and put it into the ISO folder in the extracted MSMG Toolkit.

4. After pasting, double-click Start.cmd to launch the MSMG Toolkit.

MSMG Toolk start cmd

5. When you execute it, you will get a screen similar to the one below with the End User License Agreement (EULA). To accept it, pressA” on your keyboard.

End User License Agreement

6. The toolkit will then set several environment path variables automatically. To continue, press any key.

environment path variables

7. You’ll be sent to the main menu. Press 1 to select the Source menu.

8. Now, press 3 to extract the ISO image from the ISO folder to the DVD folder.

ISO images

9. In the following box, type the actual name of the ISO image you wish to manipulate and press Enter. This step may take some time. You’ll get a “Press any key to continue” prompt when it’s finished. Carry it out.

Press any key to continue

10. You’ll be sent back to the main menu. Enter 1 once again to select Source, and then press 1 once more to choose Source from <DVD> Folder.

DVD Folder

11. If you are prompted to “Select Source Images,” enter the matching number of the Windows version you want to manipulate, as shown below:

Select Source Images

12. You will now be asked to mount the Windows Setup Boot Image and the Windows Recovery Image. Enter Y twice to mount each of them. The mounting process will begin, and it may take a few moments to complete. If it is, press any key to continue.

Windows Setup Boot Image

 

You’ll be taken back to the main menu. It is now time to manipulate the source by following the instructions provided for each piece below.

 

Integrate components

Because there are various options in the Integrate menu, we will cover one:

Windows Updates. You may use the same logic to perform different tasks.

  • Enter 2 from the main menu and navigate to the Integrate menu.
  • Now enter 4 and navigate to the Windows Updates menu.
  • A warning will now be prompted to you. To proceed, enter Y.
Integrate components MSMG toolkit
  • You must now copy the updates into the extracted MSMG Toolkit folder’s Updates folder (in the complete right location).
  • Here’s an example of the proper path: Toolkit_v11.3>Updates>w10>x64 Refer to the Microsoft Update Catalog to download Windows updates.
  • Return to the toolkit and enter 1 to select Integrate Windows Updates.
start integrating the update
  • The toolkit will begin incorporating the update as soon as you press 1.
  • Once finished, press any key to continue.
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If necessary, you may now continue to integrate more components using the same process as described above.

 

Remove components

In addition to merging components, you may remove them. Follow the steps outlined below.

  • From the main menu, enter 3 and select Remove.
  • Press 1 to select “Remove Windows components” on the following screen.
  • To select “Select Windows Components,” press 1 again.
  • Select what you wish to remove on the following screen.
  • We selected “(7) Windows applications.”
  • There will now be an extensive list of components listed. Enter the relevant number for the element you want to remove and press enter.
Remove components
  • Repeat the previous step to select all of the components you wish to remove. The eliminated ones will be preceded with a “-” sign rather than a “+” sign.
  • When finished, Enter X and press enter to return to the previous menu. Continue to press X until you reach the main menu.

This guide should remove you in removing any number of image components. However, it is crucial to note that they have not yet been erased but will be when you apply the modifications, which will occur near the conclusion of the process.

 

Customize ISO Image

Follow the steps below to customize the image’s existing characteristics. In this example, we’ll make a few tweaks to the image.

  • To enter the Customize menu, press 4.
  • Now, press the 8 key to select Apply tweaks.
  • Press the associated letter in the following menu to perform a system modification.
Apply tweaks
  • The toolkit will then apply the tweaks. Repeat the previous step as many times as necessary to make changes.
  • When finished, press X twice to return to the main menu.

You have now successfully implemented the necessary adjustments. However, remember that each sub-menu will have a separate set of options from which to pick, so choose wisely.

 

Apply Changes

It is now time to apply all of your modifications so far into action.

  • To apply, select 5 from the drop-down menu.
  • Now, press 2 to save your adjustments and apply them to the original image.
  • Next, you will be asked to tidy up the image and cut any OS editions that have not been selected.
  • Both times, press Y. After that, the MSMG toolkit will begin to store the modifications. This step might take a few minutes.
Apply changes
  • Once finished, press any key to continue.

The modifications have been applied and saved. Nonetheless, there is still a lot to be done. You must now create a new image from the modified image. Proceed to the following step to do this.

 

Save to Target

It is now time to generate a fresh ISO image or immediately create a bootable device from this newly modified ISO image. In the below-mentioned example, we will create a basic ISO image.

  • Press 6 to select Target from the main menu. 
  • Press 1 to make an ISO image.
make an ISO image
  • You will be requested to enter the specifics of the image you wish to create. Fill these out exactly as shown in the image below.
Save to target
  • The toolkit will now begin generating the ISO image. The step may take a few minutes to complete.
  • Once finished, press any key to continue.

The newly produced image may be located in the same ISO folder where you first pasted the original ISO file.

 

MSMG Toolkit is an excellent program, particularly for system administrators. If your business does not have a Windows Deployment Server (WDS), this toolkit may be the next best thing. It may be used to upgrade existing ISO images without downloading the most recent ones and then deploying them with the required settings pre-configured. So this is our article on how to Use MSMG Toolkit to Add/Remove Windows Components from ISO Images also read our article on download Windows 10 ISO without the Media Creation Tool.

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