Is it possible to make removed components optionally installable?

[avada]

Hello!

I mean if after I installed the OS for some reason I need something I removed. It would be nice if could have the components on the the disk and install it if I need them.

A more advanced installer would be nice where I can choose during the installation what to install.

Looked around a bit. Didn't find answers. If it's already discussed please point me to the apropriate locations.

[Legolash2o]

Someone has already requested if I can add a feature which allows you to turn on/off features.

[Etz]

Actually itcan be done via unnatended.xml also...

For example:

<servicing>
	 <package action="configure">
		 <assemblyIdentity name="Microsoft-Windows-Foundation-Package" version="6.1.7601.17514" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="" />
		 <selection name="InboxGames" state="false" />
		 <selection name="Internet Games" state="false" />
		 <selection name="MediaPlayback" state="true" />
		 <selection name="MediaCenter" state="false" />
		 <selection name="OpticalMediaDisc" state="false" />
		 <selection name="WindowsMediaPlayer" state="true" />
		 <selection name="Printing-XPSServices-Features" state="false" />
		 <selection name="Xps-Foundation-Xps-Viewer" state="true" />
		 <selection name="WindowsGadgetPlatform" state="true" />
		 <selection name="TelnetClient" state="true" />
		 <selection name="TabletPCOC" state="false" />
		 <selection name="FaxServicesClientPackage" state="false" />
		 <selection name="Printing-Foundation-InternetPrinting-Client" state="false" />
		 <selection name="Printing-Foundation-LPDPrintService" state="false" />
		 <selection name="Printing-Foundation-LPRPortMonitor" state="false" />
		 <selection name="Printing-Foundation-Features" state="true" />
		 <selection name="TelnetServer" state="false" />
		 <selection name="CorporationhelpCustomization" state="false" />
		 <selection name="RasRip" state="false" />
		 <selection name="SearchEngine-Client-Package" state="true" />
		 <selection name="SimpleTCP" state="false" />
		 <selection name="SNMP" state="false" />
		 <selection name="WMISnmpProvider" state="false" />
		 <selection name="TFTP" state="false" />
		 <selection name="TIFFIFilter" state="false" />
		 <selection name="Indexing-Service-Package" state="false" />
		 <selection name="Internet-Explorer-Optional-amd64" state="true" />
		 <selection name="NetFx3" state="true" />
		 <selection name="OEMHelpCustomization" state="false" />
		 <selection name="ServicesForNFS-ClientOnly" state="false" />
		 <selection name="ClientForNFS-Infrastructure" state="false" />
		 <selection name="NFS-Administration" state="false" />
		 <selection name="SUA" state="false" />
		 <selection name="MSRDC-Infrastructure" state="true" />
	 </package>
	 <package action="configure">
		 <assemblyIdentity name="Microsoft-Windows-UltimateEdition" version="6.1.7601.17514" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="" />
		 <selection name="Microsoft-Hyper-V-Common-Drivers" state="true" />
		 <selection name="Microsoft-Hyper-V-Guest-Integration-Drivers" state="true" />
		 <selection name="Microsoft-Windows-NetFx3-OC-Package" state="true" />
		 <selection name="Microsoft-Windows-Printing-XPSServices-Package" state="true" />
		 <selection name="OpticalMediaDisc" state="true" />
	 </package>
</servicing>

Nothing is removed, but certain components are disabled/enabled as you would do it manually via "Programs and Features - Windows Components" menu.

Only annoyance is, every edition has different subset of features, if something is specified in XML but doesnt exist on current edition, install will fail.

Also OS version has to be specified, which tend to change on every SP.

Also windows 7 and Windows 8 have different version and package subsets.

Edited December 12, 2012 by Etz

[bphlpt]

As to the OP's question, it also depends how the component was "removed". If it was removed the way that vLite and RT7Lite remove components, then they are usually truly removed and reinstalling them is typically not possible. I have seen convoluted methods explained for certain components, but it is usually best to start over. This is one reason why I never remove components, I just disable the ones I want to stay out of the way.

Cheers and Regards

[avada]

Someone has already requested if I can add a feature which allows you to turn on/off features.

 

Ok. So that means you did or will?

 

@Etz

I literally meant removing and then installing later.

 

 

Another thing. Can I remove stuff from an installe OS? (I dedcided against removing things because I got fed up when building the iso failed constantly) I'm thinking mostly winsxs because the windows folder ate up space in a record amount of time after I installed windows 8.

 

I hardly have any useful content installed...

 

 

PS: Sorry for not chenking back earlier but the e-mai notification doesn't seem to work.

[ElmerBeFuddled]

Actually itcan be done via unnatended.xml also..

Whereabouts in the autounattend file would I put that Etz??

[Etz]

I have it in the beginning, before any other passes.

 

At least WSIM will put it there also...

[Etz]

Another thing. Can I remove stuff from an installe OS?

 

You should be able to do it with DISM

[abbodi1406]

Actually itcan be done via unnatended.xml also...

For example:

<servicing>
<package action="configure">
<assemblyIdentity name="Microsoft-Windows-UltimateEdition" version="6.1.7601.17514" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="" />
<selection name="Microsoft-Hyper-V-Common-Drivers" state="true" />
<selection name="Microsoft-Hyper-V-Guest-Integration-Drivers" state="true" />
<selection name="Microsoft-Windows-NetFx3-OC-Package" state="true" />
<selection name="Microsoft-Windows-Printing-XPSServices-Package" state="true" />
<selection name="OpticalMediaDisc" state="true" />
</package>
</servicing>

 

Actually this part will remove those components competely.. not just disabling them

[Etz]

Actually this part will remove those components competely.. not just disabling them

 

This is correct, those packages will be completely removed, if set false.