Win8 PE Sergei Strelec 2014 V.6.6 English Version: A Complete Guide to Boot, Repair, and Restore Your PC
HACK [Win8 PE] Boot USB Sergei Strelec 2014 V.6.6 English Version
Have you ever encountered a situation where your Windows PC fails to boot, crashes, or gets infected by malware? Have you ever wanted to install, repair, or restore Windows without using a DVD or CD? Have you ever wished to have a portable Windows operating system that you can carry around in your pocket and use on any PC? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you might be interested in learning about Win8 PE and how to create a bootable USB drive with it.
HACK [Win8 PE] Boot USB Sergei Strelec 2014 V.6.6 English Version
Introduction
Win8 PE stands for Windows 8 Preinstallation Environment, which is a lightweight version of Windows 8 that can run from a removable media such as a USB flash drive or an external hard drive. It is designed for system maintenance, troubleshooting, backup and restore, data recovery, and other tasks that require a working Windows environment without installing it on the hard disk.
One of the most popular and powerful Win8 PE bootable USB drives is created by Sergei Strelec, a Russian IT expert who has been developing and updating his WinPE projects since 2012. His Win8 PE bootable USB drive contains a large collection of tools and programs that can help you perform various operations on your PC, such as:
Partitioning, formatting, cloning, wiping, and encrypting hard disks and partitions
Backing up and restoring disks, partitions, files, and folders
Diagnosing and testing hardware components, such as CPU, RAM, HDD, SSD, GPU, etc.
Recovering deleted or lost data from various devices and file systems
Scanning and removing viruses, malware, spyware, adware, etc.
Installing or reinstalling Windows from a USB drive or a network share
Resetting or changing Windows passwords, product keys, activation status, etc.
Editing or modifying Windows registry, settings, files, drivers, etc.
And much more...
In this article, you will learn how to create a Win8 PE bootable USB drive with Sergei Strelec's 2014 V.6.6 English version, which is one of his latest releases that supports both x86 (32-bit) and x64 (64-bit) architectures. You will also learn how to boot from the USB drive using different methods, and how to customize and optimize the Win8 PE bootable USB drive according to your needs and preferences. By the end of this article, you will have a powerful and versatile tool that can help you solve many problems and perform many tasks on your PC.
Requirements
Before you start creating your Win8 PE bootable USB drive, you need to make sure that you have the following requirements:
A PC with a reliable internet connection. You will need to download the ISO file of Win8 PE Sergei Strelec 2014 V.6.6 English version, which is about 3.5 GB in size. You will also need to access some websites to download or update some software and drivers.
A USB flash drive or an external hard drive with at least 8 GB of space. You will need to format the USB drive and copy the contents of the ISO file to it. Make sure that you backup any important data on the USB drive before proceeding, as it will be erased during the process.
A product key for Windows 8 or 8.1 (optional). If you want to install or reinstall Windows 8 or 8.1 from the Win8 PE bootable USB drive, you will need a valid product key for the edition that you want to install. You can find your product key on a sticker on your PC, on the packaging of your Windows DVD or CD, or in an email confirmation from Microsoft. You can also use a generic product key for temporary activation, but you will need to change it later with a genuine one.
A software to download and extract the ISO file of Win8 PE Sergei Strelec 2014 V.6.6 English version. You can use any software that can download and extract ISO files, such as 7-Zip, WinRAR, or PowerISO. In this article, we will use 7-Zip, which is a free and open-source software that can handle various archive formats.
A software to create a bootable USB from the ISO file. You can use any software that can create a bootable USB from an ISO file, such as UNetbootin, Universal USB Installer, or YUMI. In this article, we will use Rufus, which is a free and portable software that can create bootable USB drives for various operating systems.
Steps
Now that you have all the requirements ready, you can follow these steps to create your Win8 PE bootable USB drive:
How to download and extract the ISO file of Win8 PE Sergei Strelec 2014 V.6.6 English version
Go to this website, which is the official page of Sergei Strelec's WinPE projects. Scroll down until you see the section "WinPE 8.0 (x86/x64) by Sergei Strelec". Click on the link "Download from Google Drive" under the subheading "WinPE 8.0 (x86/x64) by Sergei Strelec (2014) v6.6 (English)". This will take you to a Google Drive page where you can download the ISO file.
Click on the download icon at the top right corner of the page. A pop-up window will appear asking you to confirm your download. Click on "Download anyway". The ISO file will start downloading to your PC.
Once the download is complete, locate the ISO file on your PC. It should be named "WinPE_8-10_Sergei_Strelec_(x86-x64)_2014_v6_6_English.iso". Right-click on the file and select "7-Zip" > "Extract Here". This will extract the contents of the ISO file to a folder with the same name in the same location.
How to create a bootable USB from the ISO file using Rufus
Download Rufus from this website, which is the official page of Rufus. Scroll down until you see the section "Download". Click on the link "Rufus 3.17 Portable" under the subheading "Rufus 3". This will download a ZIP file named "rufus-3.17p.zip" to your PC.
Extract the ZIP file using 7-Zip or any other software that can handle ZIP files. You should get a file named "rufus-3.17p.exe", which is the portable version of Rufus that does not require installation.
Plug in your USB flash drive or external hard drive to your PC. Make sure that it has at least 8 GB of space and that it does not contain any important data that you want to keep, as it will be erased during the process.
Run the Rufus-3.17p.exe file by double-clicking on it. A window will open showing the Rufus interface. You may see a pop-up window asking you to check for updates. You can click on "Yes" to check for updates or "No" to skip this step.
In the Rufus interface, you will see a drop-down menu under the label "Device". Click on it and select your USB drive from the list of available devices. If you have more than one USB drive connected, make sure that you choose the correct one.
Under the label "Boot selection", click on the "SELECT" button. A file explorer window will open. Navigate to the folder where you extracted the ISO file of Win8 PE Sergei Strelec 2014 V.6.6 English version. Select the file named "WinPE_8-10_Sergei_Strelec_(x86-x64)_2014_v6_6_English.iso" and click on "Open". The file name and size will appear under the label "Boot selection".
Under the label "Image option", leave the default option of "Standard Windows installation" selected.
Under the label "Partition scheme", click on the drop-down menu and select the option that matches your PC's firmware type. If you are not sure, you can check your PC's firmware type by following these steps: - Press the Windows logo key + R to open the Run dialog box. - Type msinfo32 and press Enter to open the System Information window. - Look for the item named "BIOS Mode" under the System Summary section. - If it says "Legacy", then select "MBR" as the partition scheme. - If it says "UEFI", then select "GPT" as the partition scheme.
Under the label "Target system", leave the default option of "BIOS or UEFI" selected.
Under the label "Volume label", you can change the name of your USB drive if you want, or leave it as it is.
Under the label "File system", click on the drop-down menu and select "NTFS" as the file system.
Under the label "Cluster size", leave the default option of "4096 bytes (Default)" selected.
Under the label "Status", you will see a checkbox labeled "Quick format". Make sure that it is checked.
You will also see a checkbox labeled "Create extended label and icon files". You can check or uncheck it according to your preference. If you check it, Rufus will create some additional files on your USB drive that will display its name and icon in Windows Explorer.
You will also see a button labeled "SHOW ADVANCED FORMAT OPTIONS". You can click on it to reveal some more options, such as creating a persistent partition, adding fixes for old BIOSes, or using a different boot loader. However, for this article, we will not use any of these options, so you can leave them as they are.
Once you have configured all the options, click on the "START" button at the bottom of the Rufus interface. A warning window will appear asking you to confirm that you want to erase all data on your USB drive. Click on "OK" to proceed.
Rufus will start creating your Win8 PE bootable USB drive. You will see a progress bar and some messages indicating what Rufus is doing. This may take several minutes depending on your USB drive's speed and size.
When Rufus is done, you will see a message saying "READY" and a green check mark next to it. You can also hear a sound indicating that Rufus has finished. You can now close Rufus and safely eject your USB drive from your PC.
How to boot from the USB drive using different methods
Now that you have created your Win8 PE bootable USB drive, you can use it to boot any PC that supports booting from a USB device. There are different methods to boot from a USB drive depending on your PC's firmware type and settings. Here are some of them:
Using Windows 10 or Windows 11 Settings (without BIOS or UEFI)
Plug in your Win8 PE bootable USB drive to your PC.
If your PC is running Windows 10 or Windows 11, press the Windows logo key + I to open the Settings app.
Click on "Update & Security".
Click on "Recovery" in the left pane.
Under the "Advanced startup" section, click on "Restart now". Your PC will restart and show you a blue screen with some options.
Click on "Use a device".
Click on your Win8 PE bootable USB drive from the list of devices. Your PC will boot from the USB drive and load the Win8 PE environment.
Using the UEFI/BIOS Boot Menu
Plug in your Win8 PE bootable USB drive to your PC.
If your PC is turned off, turn it on. If your PC is already on, restart it.
As soon as your PC starts, press the key or combination of keys that will open the UEFI/BIOS Boot Menu. The key or combination of keys varies depending on your PC's manufacturer and model. You can usually see a message on the screen indicating which key or keys to press. Some common keys are F2, F8, F9, F10, F11, F12, Esc, or Del.
If you see the UEFI/BIOS Boot Menu, select your Win8 PE bootable USB drive from the list of devices using the arrow keys and press Enter. Your PC will boot from the USB drive and load the Win8 PE environment.
If you do not see the UEFI/BIOS Boot Menu, you may need to change some settings in the UEFI/BIOS Settings. Proceed to the next method.
Using the UEFI/BIOS Settings
Plug in your Win8 PE bootable USB drive to your PC.
If your PC is turned off, turn it on. If your PC is already on, restart it.
As soon as your PC starts, press the key or combination of keys that will open the UEFI/BIOS Settings. The key or combination of keys varies depending on your PC's manufacturer and model. You can usually see a message on the screen indicating which key or keys to press. Some common keys are F1, F2, F10, F12, Esc, or Del.
If you see the UEFI/BIOS Settings, look for a section or tab named "Boot" or something similar. You may need to use the arrow keys, the Tab key, or the mouse to navigate through the settings.
In the Boot section or tab, look for an option named "Boot order", "Boot priority", "Boot sequence", or something similar. You may need to use the arrow keys, the Enter key, or the mouse to select or change this option.
In the Boot order option, move your Win8 PE bootable USB drive to the top of the list using the arrow keys, the + and - keys, or the mouse. This will make your PC boot from the USB drive first before any other device.
Look for an option named "Save and exit", "Exit saving changes", or something similar. You may need to use the arrow keys, the Enter key, or the mouse to select this option.
A confirmation window will appear asking you to save your changes and exit. Press Y or click on Yes to confirm. Your PC will restart and boot from the USB drive and load the Win8 PE environment.
Tips and Tricks
Now that you know how to create and boot from a Win8 PE bootable USB drive with Sergei Strelec's 2014 V.6.6 English version, you can use it to perform various operations on your PC. However, you may also want to customize and optimize the Win8 PE bootable USB drive according to your needs and preferences. Here are some tips and tricks that you can try:
How to change the language and keyboard layout
By default, the Win8 PE bootable USB drive with Sergei Strelec's 2014 V.6.6 English version is set to use the English language and keyboard layout. However, you can change them to any other language and keyboard layout that are supported by Windows 8. Here is how:
After booting from the USB drive and loading the Win8 PE environment, you will see a desktop with some icons and a taskbar. On the taskbar, you will see a button with a globe icon and the letters "EN". This is the language and keyboard layout indicator.
Click on the button to open a menu with a list of available languages and keyboard layouts. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Windows logo key + Space to open this menu.
Select the language and keyboard layout that you want to use from the menu. You will see the indicator change accordingly.
If you do not see the language and keyboard layout that you want to use in the menu, you can add them by following these steps: - Right-click on the button with the globe icon and the letters "EN" on the taskbar. A context menu will appear. - Click on "Settings". A window named "Language" will open. - Click on "Add a language". A window named "Add languages" will open. - Scroll down or use the search box to find the language that you want to add. Click on it and then click on "Add". The language will be added to your list of languages. - Click on "Options" next to the language that you have added. A window named "Language options" will open. - Click on "Add an input method". A window named "Input method" will open. - Scroll down or use the search box to find the keyboard layout that you want to add for that language. Click on it and then click on "Add". The keyboard layout will be added to your list of input methods for that language. - Close all the windows and return to the desktop.
You can now switch between different languages and keyboard layouts using the button on the taskbar or the keyboard shortcut Windows logo key + Space.
How to add or remove drivers and programs
The Win8 PE bootable USB drive with Sergei Strelec's 2014 V.6.6 English version comes with a large collection of drivers and programs that can help you perform various operations on your PC. However, you may want to add some more drivers or programs that are not included, or remove some drivers or programs that you do not need or use. Here is how:
How to add drivers
Download or copy the drivers that you want to add to your Win8 PE bootable USB drive. Make sure that they are compatible with Windows 8 and your PC's architecture (x86 or x64).
Plug in your Win8 PE bootable USB drive to your PC. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to your USB drive.
Create a folder named "Drivers" on your USB drive if it does not exist already.
Copy or move the drivers that you want to add to the "Drivers" folder on your USB drive. You can organize them into subfolders according to their categories, such as "Audio", "Video", "Network", etc.
Eject your USB drive from your PC.
Plug in your Win8 PE bootable USB drive to the PC that you want to boot from it.
Boot from the USB drive and load the Win8 PE environment.
On the desktop, double-click on the icon named "Driver Installer". A window named "Driver Installer" will open.
Click on "Scan" to scan your PC for missing or outdated drivers.
Click on "Install" to install all the drivers that are found in the "Drivers" folder on your USB drive.
Restart your PC if prompted.
How to remove drivers
Plug in your Win8 PE bootable USB drive to your PC. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to your USB drive.
Open the folder named "Drivers" on your USB drive.
Delete or move out of this folder any drivers that you want to remove from your Win8 PE bootable USB drive.
Eject your USB drive from your PC.
How to add programs
<li Download or copy the programs that you want to add to your Win8 PE bootable USB drive. Make sure that they are compatible with Windows 8 and your PC's architecture (x86 or x64).
Plug in your Win8 PE bootable USB drive to your PC. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to your USB drive.
Create a folder named "Programs" on your USB drive if it does not exist already.
Copy or move the programs that you want to add to the "Programs" folder on your USB drive. You can organize them into subfolders according to their categories, such as "Antivirus", "Backup", "Recovery", etc.
Eject your USB drive from your PC.
Plug in your Win8 PE bootable USB drive to the PC that you want to boot from it.
Boot from the USB drive and load the Win8 PE environment.
On the desktop, double-click on the icon named "Programs". A window named "Programs" will open.
Click on the category that contains the program that you want to run. A list of programs will appear.
Click on the program that you want to run. The program will launch and you can use it as normal.
How to remove programs
Plug in your Win8 PE bootable USB drive to your PC. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to your USB drive.
Open the folder named "Programs" on your USB drive.
Delete or move out of this folder any programs that you want to remove from your Win8 PE bootable USB drive.
Eject your USB drive from your PC.
Conclusion
In this article, you have learned how to create a Win8 PE bootable USB drive with Sergei Strelec's 2014 V.6.6 English version, which is one of his latest releases that supports both x86 and x64 architectures. You have also learned how to boot from the USB drive using different methods, and how to customize and optimize the Win8 PE bootable USB drive according to your needs and preferences.
By using this powerful and versatile tool, you can perform various operations on your PC, such as partitioning, formatting, cloning, wiping, encrypting, backing up, restoring, diagnosing, testing, recovering, scanning, removing, installing, reinstalling, resetting