How to add drivers at USB's WinPE

Bug locker · 2025-04-01T15:31:25-0400

Hey all.
I just created a fresh USB with the WinPE.
My disk needs an Intel RST driver and the Windows still dont have a driver. So i cant see C:\ via WinPE
Also , i need to add the touchpad's drivers , because it hasnt and also i have bluetooth mouse.
If it helps i already have C:\Recovery\WindowsRE\Winre.wim , with these drivers added.
Anyone to know the procedure to add the drivers ?
Thanks.

garlin · 2025-04-01T16:00:08-0400

The proper way is to mount boot.wim, and use DISM /Add-Drivers to the mounted image.

A shortcut if you're not that committed to doing all that work, is to extract the drivers and copy them to folder "\$WinpeDriver$" on the USB device.

BamaInArk · 2025-04-01T16:24:50-0400

Do you have an option in the Bios/UEFI to turn off the need for using IRST/VMD drivers? Or is your drive an Optane?

Bug locker · 2025-04-01T18:03:44-0400

BamaInArk said:
Do you have an option in the Bios/UEFI to turn off the need for using IRST/VMD drivers? Or is your drive an Optane?

No , i dont have this option.

Bug locker · 2025-04-01T18:08:54-0400

garlin said:
The proper way is to mount boot.wim, and use DISM /Add-Drivers to the mounted image.

A shortcut if you're not that committed to doing all that work, is to extract the drivers and copy them to folder "\$WinpeDriver$" on the USB device.

Sorry for the delayed answer. Edge crashed , then file types of browsers crashed , then .....
Finally i fixed that.
So, there no folder "\$WinpeDriver$" on the USB.
Cause here is 1:07 morning , i will try tomorrow to mount boot.wim (this exists

)
I guess that i 'll need some help with the commands.
Thanks.

garlin · 2025-04-01T18:16:23-0400

No. You can create that folder that on your USB device.

It's a legacy folder pathname that WinPE Setup checks to find offline driver files. Much like how you can do "F6" or specify a driver folder while Setup is running. The difference is it's automatically searched, and anything found is loaded for you.

So all you have to do is a simple file copy to the new folder.

Taliseian · 2025-04-01T18:44:05-0400

Hiya. Lurking in thread and have a follow up question...

Can you do this on a clean Windows ISO? My WiFi drivers are not part of the Win11 install package and I have to manually install them every time I do a clean install. Was curious if this would work or is there more that I have to do.

Thanks...and my apologies to @Bug locker for the question.

garlin · 2025-04-01T18:51:52-0400

It should work. Some Wi-Fi driver installers like Intel bundle extra services and tools, which are not part of the base driver setup.

You can extract the driver portion and copy that folder under "\$WinpeDriver$". If you needed the extra files, then you would wait until after the Windows install and run the full installer. Not everyone finds the Intel extra's all that useful.

FreeBooter · 2025-04-01T18:56:59-0400

In this informative video, i will guide you through the process of adding device drivers to your Windows installation. Join me as we explore step-by-step methods to seamlessly integrate drivers into your Windows setup, ensuring your hardware functions flawlessly.

glasskuter · 2025-04-01T19:46:08-0400

You were asked if you had an option in bios to disable irst/VMD to which you answered

Bug locker said:
No , i dont have this option. Yet, you also stated "My disk needs an Intel RST driver"

If it is requiring a storage controller driver(IRST) Oh yes you do have raid enabled. Changing disk mode from RAID to AHCI eliminates the need for irst drivers. You may have to go into bios advanced options to find it but you can bet it's in there somewhere.

However, NOTE you can not just arbitrarily disable raid once a system is working. If you do, the system will not boot.There is a procedure to disable raid in a working system however. The best time to change disk mode from RAID to AHCI is before doing a clean install.

All of the drivers you mentioned installing in WinPE are on the OEM support site for your device. You have unzip the executables in order to find the drivers. Some devices require only one driver. Others, like irst, require multiple (4 or 5 if my memory serves me)

SIW2 · 2025-04-01T19:49:47-0400

The same as you did to add the drivers to winre.wim.

Except mount image 2 of boot.wim

cereberus · 2025-04-01T20:29:13-0400

glasskuter said:
You were asked if you had an option in bios to disable irst/VMD to which you answered

If it is requiring a storage controller driver(IRST) Oh yes you do have raid enabled. Changing disk mode from RAID to AHCI eliminates the need for irst drivers. You may have to go into bios advanced options to find it but you can bet it's in there somewhere.

However, NOTE you can not just arbitrarily disable raid once a system is working. If you do, the system will not boot.There is a procedure to disable raid in a working system however. The best time to change disk mode from RAID to AHCI is before doing a clean install.

All of the drivers you mentioned installing in WinPE are on the OEM support site for your device. You have unzip the executables in order to find the drivers. Some devices require only one driver. Others, like irst, require multiple? (4 or 5 if my memory serves me)

A lot of bioses no longer give option to change to AHCI. My laptop does not give one.

glasskuter · 2025-04-01T21:30:21-0400

cereberus said:
A lot of bioses no longer give option to change to AHCI.

You're kidding. I had no idea so you taught me something new today.
So it is set to raid/vmd by default that can't be changed? Is this only intel boards or do AMD boards default to AMD RAID (or whatever the equivalent AMD setting is for RAID. I don't see many AMD systems.)

Scott · 2025-04-01T22:03:02-0400

cereberus said:
A lot of bioses no longer give option to change to AHCI. My laptop does not give one.

VMD (volume management device) is the new RAID. Disabling VMD sets the computer to AHCI, although it won't tell you so.

Scott · 2025-04-01T22:18:57-0400

glasskuter said:
So it is set to raid/vmd by default that can't be changed?

My Intel board was set to VMD by default but can be disabled.

BamaInArk · 2025-04-02T09:06:28-0400

Remember this is an HP laptop so the bios/UEFI options may be somewhat limited. But surely there is a way to turn off RAID/VMD.

Bug locker · 2025-04-02T09:25:43-0400

Sorry guys. I was given some extraordinary obligations. I will reply when I can. Thank you.

Bug locker · 2025-04-02T09:29:52-0400

BamaInArk said:
Remember this is an HP laptop so the bios/UEFI options may be somewhat limited. But surely there is a way to turn off RAID/VMD.

You are right. Also check here.

BamaInArk · 2025-04-02T10:08:10-0400

Scott said:
VMD (volume management device) is the new RAID. Disabling VMD sets the computer to AHCI, although it won't tell you so.

View attachment 130089

I just checked my newer AMD motherboard, ASRock X870E, and it doesn't offer any VMD setting, just RAID/AHCI. A few newer Intel motherboards use VMD.

Bug locker · 2025-04-02T10:08:29-0400

garlin said:
The proper way is to mount boot.wim, and use DISM /Add-Drivers to the mounted image.

A shortcut if you're not that committed to doing all that work, is to extract the drivers and copy them to folder "\$WinpeDriver$" on the USB device.

So here we go.
I made the first attempt and the drivers don't work with the new boot.wim.
The commands I executed:

-dism /Mount-Image /ImageFile:"D:\sources\boot.wim" /index:1 /MountDir:"%systemdrive%\mount"

-dism /IMAGE:"%systemdrive%\mount" /ADD-DRIVER /DRIVER:"C:\Users\thana\Εφαρμογές\WinRE_Drivers" /RECURSE /ForceUnsigned

-dism /Unmount-Image /MountDir:"%systemdrive%\mount" /commit

Notes :
-I had no errors. All commands worked OK.
-D:\ is the USB stick
-WinRE_Drivers , is the folder with the 2 drivers. They work at my WinRE.

How to add drivers at USB's WinPE

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