Windows Imaging Format

Template: Infobox file format / Maintenance / MIME missing template: Infobox file format / Maintenance / Magic number missing template: Infobox file format / Maintenance / default missing

The Windows Imaging Format (WIM) is a file-based disk image or archive format, developed by Microsoft for Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows Server ( it is also used for their installation ) 2008.

Unlike ordinary disk image formats for CD / DVD (such as. .CUE Or ISO / .BIN ) forms a WIM file from any physical sectors, but as an archive contains a lot of files metadata that constitute a file system (file- Disk Image).

Benefits

  • Regardless of physical sectors: hardware - independent, compact;
  • Supports data compression ( LZX algorithm) Single Instance Storage;
  • A WIM file can contain multiple images ( for example, different versions), wherein identical files are only stored once common for all Single Instance Storage ( );
  • WIM images can be live mount and edit so easily & change
  • A WIM image can be split into several sub- archives ( file extension. SWM)

ImageX

ImageX is a command-line program to create, edit and mount WIM images. It is part of the Windows Automated Installation Kit ( WAIK ) from Microsoft.

ImageX command-line options (selection):

Compact Disc LZX (algorithm) Filename extension
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