1. Download the Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK) - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=94BB6E34-D890-4932-81A5-5B50C657DE08&displaylang=en (Note - as of 2008-02-18 this version has been updated for Vista SP1 and Server 2008)

2. Start | All Programs | Microsoft Windows AIK | Windows PE Tools Command Prompt -> This command prompt preloads the necessary folders into the path variable for easy image editing.

3. copype.cmd <x86 | amd64 | ia64> <destination folder to create, ex: z:\PEBuild> In Vista, right click and Run As Administrator -> This script creates a workspace for manipulating WinPE images prior to burning a CD or copying to a flash drive.  The ISO folder contains the files used for both.  ..\PEBuild\ISO\Sources\boot.wim is the actual WinPE image that the bootloader extracts to a RAMDisk.  The copype.cmd also creates a second copy of the WIM called winpe.wim in the root of the PEBuild folder - I assume this is to provide you with an easy way to "start fresh".

4. To place tools or files within the ISO (on CD) or on the flash drive you will boot from, copy the files to the z:\PEBuild\ISO folder.

5. To place tools or files within the RAMDisk that WinPE boots from (useful to retain access to your tools when you pull the flash drive or CD), use this command: imagex /mountrw ISO\Sources\boot.wim 1 mount  ->  This mounts the WIM file to the mount folder within your PEBuild workspace.

6. To load additional drivers into a your WinPE image, use the following command: peimg /inf=<complete path to driver inf file> mount\Windows -> This points to the Windows folder within the WIM file mounted to the mount folder within your PEBuild workspace.  Note this command must be run against a mounted WIM file.

7. When you are finished editing the WIM file, do this: imagex /unmount /commit mount

8. Make sure to copy ImageX to your ISO folder so you can apply the image to your hard drive.  Use this command: copy "c:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\x86\imagex.exe" z:\PEBuild\ISO

8. WinPE is now ready to go.  Either burn the entire contents of the ISO folder to a CD marked as bootable (step 9), or copy the entire contents to a flash drive (follow the steps listed here to prepare your flash drive).

9. If you intend to create a bootable CD, you'll need to use the following command to create an ISO from the files in the ISO folder (using the PE Tools Command Prompt): oscdimg -n –bz:\PEBuild\etfsboot.com z:\PEBuild\ISO Z:\PEBuild\winpe_x86.iso  You can then burn the resulting ISO to disk.