PhoenixPE: Build Custom Win10/Win11 Rescue Environments
PhoenixPE: Build Custom Win10/Win11 Rescue Environments
For IT professionals, support teams, and tech hobbyists who need a reliable, on‑the‑fly recovery system, PhoenixPE serves as a modern successor to legacy WinPE projects. It lets you spin up a fully‑functional Win10‑/Win11‑based rescue image with minimal effort, powered by the next‑generation PEBakery engine.
Why PhoenixPE?
- Built on the latest Windows 10/11 code, ensuring up‑to‑date drivers and security patches.
- Lightning‑fast build times thanks to PEBakery’s optimized scripting.
- Modular design – add or remove applications with one line of code.
- Open‑source and community‑driven – no proprietary licensing barriers.
- Extensive pre‑installed toolkit (backup, forensics, diagnostics, password recovery).
Quick Start Guide
1. Prerequisites
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 or 11 (x64) |
| Storage | 2 GB free space on a USB flash drive or internal disk |
| Internet | Required for downloading the ISO and optional components |
2. Download PhoenixPE
- Navigate to the GitHub releases page.
- Download the latest PhoenixPE‑Setup‑x64.zip.
- Extract the archive to a convenient folder.
3. Build Your Rescue Image
PhoenixPE uses PEBakery scripts; the default configuration will already include a powerful set of tools.
- Open a Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Navigate to the extracted folder.
- Run
.?uild.bat– this will use the base Win10/Win11 ISO (or WinRE.wim you supply) and generatePhoenixPE-USB.img. - Write the image to your USB stick:
or use a utility like Rufus.
dd if=PhoenixPE-USB.img of=\.\\(USB_DEVICE) bs=4M
4. Booting
- Plug the USB into the target machine.
- Enter BIOS/UEFI and set USB as the first boot device.
- PhoenixPE will load, presenting a Windows desktop with all bundled tools.
Customizing Your Build
PhoenixPE shines when you add your own utilities or scripts.
Adding Applications
- Place the installer (.exe, .msi, .zip) into the
scriptsfolder. - Edit
scripts/InstallApps.pex. Add a line such as:InstallApp "C:\\PhoenixPE\"\\NewTool\\install.exe" - Re‑run
build.bat. The new tool is now part of the image.
Scripting with PEBakery
PEBakery’s language is straightforward – you can create dynamic actions, set variables, or conditionally add components based on user input at build time. Refer to the PEBakery documentation for advanced scenarios.
Feature Highlights
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Drive Backup/Clone | Snap entire disks or partitions for quick disaster recovery. |
| Malware Removal | Integrated anti‑virus scanners and script‑based clean‑up. |
| Password Recovery | Tools to reset local account passwords and retrieve credentials. |
| File Recovery | Undelete and recover files from raw partitions. |
| Forensics Suite | Pre‑installed tools for data forensics and analysis. |
| Offline OS Repair | Modify registry, fix boot errors, and update drivers without an OS. |
| Hardware Diagnostics | Built‑in utility for stress testing and hardware health checks. |
Why Use Open‑Source Rather Than Proprietary Tools?
- Transparency – You can audit the code and trust it works as advertised.
- Flexibility – Add or delete features to match exact use‑case needs.
- Community Support – A growing group of users contributes patches, scripts, and documentation.
Getting Involved
PhoenixPE welcomes contributions. If you: - Spot a bug, - Have a feature idea, or - Want to add a new script or app,
Create an issue or pull request on GitHub. Check the contributing guide for step‑by‑step instructions.
Conclusion
PhoenixPE turns a Windows 10/11 base into a versatile, fast, and reliable rescue platform. Its easy‑to‑use build process, combined with a modular app ecosystem and a robust scripting engine, makes it an ideal choice for both seasoned administrators and enthusiastic DIY users. Start customizing today, and empower your team with a tool that keeps the power of Windows within reach – even when the host OS is down.