PE Builder

PE Builder is a dedicated tool for creating a WinPE-based bootable media. The tool is installed with Management Console.

PE Builder creates the bootable media by adding components of Acronis Snap Deploy 5 to a source file called a PE image.

Note: The term “image” in “PE image” is unrelated to the notion of “master image.”

A PE image is normally a .wim file. PE Builder can create a PE image automatically or use a PE image you provide.

Note: PE Builder also creates the <AcronisMedia>.sdi file, along with the PE image. This file must be in the same location as the PE image if you plan to use the image for online deployment.

PE Builder supports WinPE distributions that are based on any the following kernels:

• Windows Vista (PE 2.0)
• Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 (PE 2.1)
• Windows 7 (PE 3.0) with or without the supplement for Windows 7 SP1 (PE 3.1)
• Windows 8 (PE 4.0)
• Windows 8.1 (PE 5.0)
• Windows 10 (PE for Windows 10.0)

PE Builder supports both 32-bit and 64-bit WinPE distributions. The 32-bit WinPE distributions can also work on 64-bit hardware. However, you need a 64-bit distribution to boot a machine that uses Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI).

Note: PE images based on WinPE 4 and later require approximately 1 GB of RAM to work.