Section required for review

3. Folder Structure & $OEM$ Mapping

Below are the physical folders packaged inside the Setup. Numeric prefixes (e.g. OS_) denote target OS codes defined in [OSList] - 10 = Windows 10.

Per-OS $oem$ Folders

Shared $oem$ Folders (Cross-OS)

Standard $OEM$ Folder Mapping

4. Script System

Contents of $$\Setup\Scripts are copied to C:\Windows\Setup\Scripts and executed automatically during matching installation phases. Primary stage scripts reside in OS_$oem$\$$\Setup\Scripts.

Execution Order of Stage Scripts:

Tweak Calling Pattern (Crucial):

Each stage script loops through tweak folders and invokes _InstallOption_<Stage>.cmd if present. Note: the filename uses _InstallOption_ (singular), NOT _InstallOptions_.

Snippet from Specialize.cmd:

@echo off
"%~dp0cmdow.exe" @ /HID
cd "%~dp0"
 
if exist "%~dp0specialize.DONE" exit
 
for %%x in (tweaks_forced\*.reg) do regedit /s "%%x"
 
for /d %%B in ("%~dp0*") do (
    if exist "%%B\_InstallOption_Specialize.cmd" (
        call "%%B\_InstallOption_Specialize.cmd"
    )
)
 
@echo Prevent double launch>"%~dp0specialize.DONE"
exit

• • cmdow.exe @ /HID hides the CMD console window while background stages execute.
• • .DONE marker files (e.g. specialize.DONE, FirstLogonCommands.DONE) prevent redundant/looping executions.
• • Tweaks_forced\*.reg are applied without options; folder tweaks use _InstallOption_<Stage>.cmd.

5. _InstallOption_*.cmd Files & Mechanism

The filename dictates the exact installation stage where the tweak is triggered by the wrapper.

System Recognized Stage Names:

Installer Workflow & Configuration:

The installer reads OS_Settings.ini, scans for matching _InstallOption_*.cmd files in target tweak folders, and executes them at the designated stage after user confirmation.

# Folder Structure:
$oem$_scripts_options_8+\0.StartMenu
  └── _InstallOption_SetupComplete.cmd
  └── _InstallOption_FirstLogonDesktop.cmd
 
# Configuration in OS_Settings.ini:
[Option:StartIsBack]
Checked=0
en-US=Windows 7 Start Menu
Dir=$oem$_scripts_options_8+\0.StartMenu

Result: "Windows 7 Start Menu" tweak runs at SetupComplete and FirstLogonDesktop stages if checked by user during install.

Steps to Add a New Tweak:

1. Create a new folder inside Tweaks (or Tweaks_forced for mandatory tweaks).
2. Add _InstallOption_<Stage>.cmd to define execution timing (or _Install.cmd for Tweaks_forced).
3. Place supporting files such as .reg, .cmd, .ps1, or .exe in the same folder.
4. Register the folder in OS_Settings.ini (for optional installer tweaks).

6. OS_Settings.ini Structure

OS_Settings.ini is utilized by the installer to specify target images/editions, unattend options, and the list of tweaks presented to users. It connects tweak labels to script folders. Stored as UTF-16LE.

Section [WIM-ESD]

Defines image sources, WIM/ESD index assignments, and Office image targets.

[WIM-ESD]
OSImage_1=sources\install.esd
OSImage_2=sources\install.wim
OfficeImage=sources\o_office_24.esd,1
IfOfficeImageNotExist=WIM-ESD\o_office_24.esd,1
WinRE_x86=sources\boot.wim,1
WinRE_x64=sources\boot.wim,1

Section [EditionsListFull-HighFromLow]

Maps Windows editions (e.g. Core, Enterprise) alongside language tags and edition upgrade paths.

[EditionsListFull-HighFromLow]
CoreSingleLanguage=Core
Core=CoreSingleLanguage
Professional=Core,CoreSingleLanguage
;Education:NNNNN-NNNNN-NNNNN-NNNNN-NNNNN=Core,CoreSingleLanguage
Enterprise:NNNNN-NNNNN-NNNNN-NNNNN-NNNNN=Professional,Core,CoreSingleLanguage
LTSC21=
LSTC19=
IoTEnterprise=Enterprise

Section [Unattend]

Configures edition page behavior and installer customization defaults.

[Unattend]
EditionDefault=IoTEnterpriseS
SEditionDefault_Architecture=x64
SEditionDefault_InstallLang=en-US
OSPage_SystemUserName=Admin
OSPage_ComputerName=*
OSPage_Workgroup=WORKGROUP
OSPage_ActivateWindows=0
OSPage_InstallDrivers=0
OSPage_TurnOff_UAC=0
OSPage_TurnOff_Defender=0
OSPage_TurnOff_Firewall=0

Section [Option:*]

Each optional tweak is defined as an [Option:Name] block. Language labels (e.g. en-US=) display in the installer UI; Dir= targets the tweak folder; Checked= determines default selection state.

[Option:7Zip]
Checked=1
en-US=7-Zip
Dir=$oem$_scripts_options_shared\7-Zip
 
[Option:StartIsBack]
Checked=0
en-US=Windows 7 Start Menu
Dir=$oem$_scripts_options_8+\0.StartMenu
 
[Option:Theme]
Checked=0
en-US=No anime wallpaper
Dir=$oem$_scripts_options_8+\Theme

7. CMD Script Writing Guide

Most tweaks are executed through .cmd or .bat files. Minor mistakes can cause excessive setup delays, boot failures, or OOBE stalls.

Basic CMD Script Structure:

@echo off
cd /d "%~dp0"
setlocal EnableExtensions EnableDelayedExpansion
 
REM === Write customization commands here ===
 
exit /b

Practical Script Writing Guidelines:

• • Always terminate scripts with exit /b (or exit for main stage scripts) so the installer can proceed.
• • Use call when invoking external CMD files; otherwise, the parent script terminates prematurely.
• • Use start /wait whenever external installers must finish before continuing.
• • Begin stage scripts with cd /d "%~dp0" and "%~dp0cmdow.exe" @ /HID to conceal CMD console windows.
• • Leverage .DONE markers to prevent scripts from executing repeatedly.
• • Avoid interactive dialogs such as pause, choice, or msgbox during installation.
• • Avoid issuing restart, shutdown, or logoff commands unless strictly mandatory.
• • Wrap all system paths in double quotes, e.g. "%SystemRoot%\Setup\Scripts".
• • Test every tweak standalone before integrating into the master installer package.

Installation Stage Breakdown Table:

8. Common Errors & Debugging Tips

Most Frequent Mistakes:

• • Forgetting to append exit /b at the end of the script.
• • Using start without the /wait switch, causing process overlap.
• • Calling secondary scripts directly without the call keyword.
• • Running application installers that require interactive user input (non-silent).
• • Assigning tweaks to the wrong stage (e.g. running UI desktop tweaks during Specialize).
• • Typos in filename: using _InstallOptions_ (plural) instead of _InstallOption_ (singular).
• • Tweak folder name mismatching the Dir= entry in OS_Settings.ini.