How to Convert a WIM File to an ISO File

The WIM (Windows IMaging) format is a compression format used in versions of Microsoft Windows from Vista onward. The format allows compression to disc images similar to the ISO format. While there are a few differences between the formats, it is possible to create an ISO image containing the contents of the WIM image. WIM images are engineered to perform optimally in Windows systems, but conversion to ISO will render the image more portable.

Things You'll Need

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Computer with Internet access running Microsoft Windows Vista or later
WIM image file
Writable CD or DVD

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Step 1

Download the Windows Automated Installation kit from Microsoft.com/downloads/. While the file downloads, ensure that the WIM file from which you wish to make an ISO is located in the root c:/ directory. (Name it discovery.wim for ease of use.) When the Windows Automated Installation has downloaded, follow the prompts to install the software.

Step 2

Open the Deployment Tools Command Prompt. Open the Start Menu in Microsoft Windows and click "All Programs" then "Microsoft Windows AIK". The Command Prompt is in this folder.

Step 3

Open a Windows Preinstallation Environment and copy the WIM file into it; do so by typing "CopyPE C:\Winpe" to create the environment, then "Copy /y c:\discover.wim c:\Winpe\ISO\Sources" to copy the file into the environment.

Step 4

Navigate back into the PETools folder by typing "Cd C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\PETools".

Step 5

Type "Oscdimg -n -bc:\winpe\ISO\boot\etfsboot.com c:\winpe\ISO c:\.iso" to create an ISO image from the contents of the Preinstallation Environment (your WIM file).Alternatively, if the WIM image to be converted to ISO is larger than a standard CD (700 MB), type "Oscdimg -m -bc:\winpe\ISO\boot\etfsboot.com c:\winpe\ISO c:\winpe.iso" at Step 4.

Step 6

Make a disc from your ISO image using a utility that can burn CD or DVD media.