3 Ways to Convert ESD To ISO in Windows

By Usman Khurshid.Last updated: April 4, 2023

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Reading Time: 3 min.

Electronic Software Download (ESD) files used in Microsoft’s proprietary Windows update format. Files downloaded through Windows Update will be saved locally in ESD format. However. Microsoft has now shifted to

ESD to ISOESD to ISO

Electronic Software Download (ESD) files used in Microsoft’s proprietary Windows update format. Files downloaded through Windows Update will be saved locally in ESD format. However. Microsoft has now shifted to UUP-based formatting. People who still have ESD files need to use them from time to time.

ESD files are compressed and encrypted versions of WIM files and need to be decrypted before you can view and use the content within. Unlike ISO files, Windows does not natively support ESD files, and thus cannot be mounted.

A few methods are used in which you can convert an ESD file into an ISO file, so that they can be used easily.

Quick Summary

Convert ESD File to ISO

DISM++

Dism++ is a tool that gives a Graphical User Interface (GUI) to the Windows DISM utility. DISM is a powerful command-line tool from Microsoft for different Windows operations like adding/removing Windows components, compacting the operating system, installing/uninstalling Windows updates, backup and restore the system, etc.

While DISM is a command-line tool, DISM++ uses a GUI to perform the same tasks. In addition to other useful tasks, DISM++ can also convert ESD files to ISO format. The process is simple and can be done by non-professional users.

Perform the following to convert an ESD file to an ISO image:

  1. Download DISM++ from here.
  2. Unzip the downloaded file, navigate to the extracted folder and then run DISM++x64.exe or DISM++x86.exe (depending upon your operating systems architecture).
    DISM run
  3. Proceed by agreeing to the Terms and Conditions, and then click File from the top menu, then click ESD –> ISO.
    dism esd to iso
  4. Click Browse (top) and select the ESD file to convert, then click Browse and enter a name and location for the converted ISO file. Once done, click Finish.
    dism browse finish

The DISM++ tool will now begin converting the ESD file into an ISO file. The conversion process may take some time to complete. Once completed, you will receive your desired ISO file in the directory you selected.

ESD Decryptor Utility

You can also perform the same as above using the ESD Decryptor Utility. This is a command-line tool that will convert any ESD file into an ISO image into a few simple cmdlets. Here is how:

  1. Download ESD Decrypter Utility and exctract the contents.
  2. Navigate to the extracted folder and run the “1.ESDISO.bat” file with administrative rights. This can be done by right-clicking it and then selecting Run as administrator from the context menu.
    decrypter run
  3. The tool will now run using Command Prompt. You will be asked if you wish to use a custom Cyptographic key. Select No by entering “N.”
    N 1
  4. You will then be asked if you want to use a custom Destination path. Enter “N” again.
    N2
  5. Now provide the complete path to the ESD file along with the extension when asked by the tool, then press Enter twice.
    decrypter path

The tool will now begin decrypting and converting the ESD file into an ISO image, which will be saved automatically in the same directory as the extracted folder.

NTLite

NTLite is another tiny utility that converts your ESD files to ISO images. Follow the given steps to use this tool for conversion:

  1. Download NTLite (Free) and install the tool.
  2. From the utility, click Add at the top, and then click Image file (WIM, ESD, SWM) from the expanded menu.
    ntlite add
  3. Now browse to the ESD file you want to convert and select it.
  4. Now click Create ISO from the top menu, and then select the name and location where you want to save the converted file.

Once selected, the tool will begin converting the ESD file into an ISO file, which can be found in the selected directory.

Closing Words

Once you have converted an ESD file into an ISO image, you should be able to use it like another ISO file.

There are other tools available online that we have not discussed in this post, such as ESDtoISO and ESD Toolkit. This is because ESDtoISO does not officially work, and the latter (ESD Toolkit) is basically a renamed version of the ESD Decrypter utility.

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Usman Khurshid

Usman Khurshid

Usman Khurshid is a seasoned IT Pro with over 15 years of experience in the IT industry. He has experience in everything from IT support, helpdesk, sysadmin, network admin, and cloud computing. He is also certified in Microsoft Technologies (MCTS and MCSA) and also Cisco Certified Professional in Routing and Switching.

See all posts from Usman Khurshid

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