| Parameter | Description & Example | | :--- | :--- | | | Displays the tool's help screen, which lists all available commands and switches. | | /l | Lists all packages (e.g., Microsoft-Windows-Holographic-... ) within a target image or the currently installed OS. The output is written to a text file called packages.txt in the same directory as the tool. | | /p <MountPath> | Targets a mounted Windows image (e.g., extracted from an ISO) for modification. Requires specifying the path where the image has been mounted. | | /o | Targets the currently installed, online operating system for modifications, instead of an offline image. | | /c <ComponentName> | Specifies a particular component package to "un-hide" or remove. Used in conjunction with /p or /o . | | /r | Removes the target component specified with /c . Without /r , the tool only "un-hides" it. | | /h | Restores (re-hides) components back to their default state, effectively undoing changes made without the /h flag. Must be used after a non- /h operation. | | /n | Speeds up the process by skipping the creation of backup files. Use with caution as it prevents an easy restore of the removed component. | | /d | Prevents the tool from deleting ownership keys in the registry, which are used to track a component's owner. |
Created by MSFN user Legolash2o, this tool acts as a bridge between the Windows Package Manager and the user, allowing for deep customization that standard DISM commands often cannot achieve alone. It is primarily used to "debloat" Windows, removing components like Cortana, OneDrive, Defender, or pre-installed UWP apps from the core OS files. What Does Install-Wim-Tweak.exe Do?
install_wim_tweak.exe /o /c Microsoft-Windows-Cortana /u install_wim_tweak.exe /o /c Microsoft-Windows-Cortana /r Use code with caution. Common Components to Remove
It toggles the status of targeted components from Permanent or Locked to Removable .
: Often used to bypass the "Owners" keys in the registry that prevent DISM from deleting certain system components. Common Usage & Syntax install-wim-tweak.exe
: install_wim_tweak.exe /p unhides all packages within a selected image.
(disables it without removing):
Users have leveraged this tool to successfully remove components such as Microsoft Edge, Windows Defender, Cortana, Internet Explorer, the Mixed Reality Portal, and many other bundled apps and system features. In one notable example, community members successfully used install_wim_tweak.exe to circumvent Microsoft's CPU restrictions on Windows 7 and 8.1 for Kaby Lake and Ryzen processors, enabling security updates on unsupported hardware.
Once install-wim-tweak.exe executes, the targeted components appear as standard, removable packages to DISM. Core Command Reference | Parameter | Description & Example | |
install-wim-tweak.exe /p /h "Package_Name"
: Makes hidden Windows features visible so they can be managed via standard tools.
While popular for Windows 10 customization, modern versions of Windows (1903 and later) have moved away from this method because it can cause system instability or broken Start menu icons.
A highly popular, commercial-grade GUI utility that simplifies image customization. It handles component removal, driver integration, and unattended install automation seamlessly. The output is written to a text file called packages
:: To view all system components hidden by Microsoft install-wim-tweak.exe /o /l :: To change package status from permanent to removable install-wim-tweak.exe /o /c [Package_Name] :: To completely force-remove a specific component install-wim-tweak.exe /o /r [Package_Name] Use code with caution.
: Decreasing system "noise" and background registry updates by removing unnecessary system services. Critical Risk Assessment
By selectively removing unwanted components (like games, Internet Explorer, IIS, etc.) from a Windows installation image ( install.wim ), users can significantly reduce the final ISO size. This is particularly valuable for system integrators, deployment specialists, or users who need to install Windows on devices with limited storage.
install-wim-tweak.exe is a lightweight, command-line utility designed to unlock the hidden capabilities of the Windows Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool. While Windows DISM is a powerful tool for modifying Windows Imaging (WIM) files, it has built-in limitations that prevent users from easily removing specific built-in components (like Cortana, Edge, or telemetry services) from a running system. install-wim-tweak acts as a wrapper that bypasses these restrictions, turning the Windows installation folder into a readable "mount point" for DISM, allowing for granular surgical removal of packages.