Windows IoT – Image Creation Guide

Overview

This guide walks you through creating a Windows IoT Core image tailored for your hardware. You’ll learn how to download the Imaging Tools, configure the image, add drivers and apps, and finally flash it to a device.

Prerequisites

Windows 10 (Version 1809 or later) host machine
64‑bit processor with virtualization support
At least 8 GB RAM and 20 GB free disk space
Device: Raspberry Pi 2/3/4, DragonBoard, or compatible SBC
MicroSD card (minimum 8 GB) or USB flash drive

Image Creation Steps

Download the Imaging Tools from Microsoft Docs.
Extract the toolset and run ImageCreator.exe.
Select a base image (e.g., IoTCore_1809_Enterprise_ARM64.wim).
Add packages (drivers, language packs, custom apps).
Configure settings (Wi‑Fi, device name, provisioning).
Save the customized image to a new .ffu file.
Flash the image using ffutool or Windows Imaging and Configuration Designer (ICD).

Customization Options

You can extend the image using PowerShell scripts, provisioning packages, or by mounting the WIM file.

# Sample PowerShell snippet to add a driver
Add-WindowsDriver -Path "D:\IoTImage" -Driver "C:\Drivers\mydriver.inf" -Force

Deploying the Image

After flashing, boot the device and connect via SSH or PowerShell Direct for final configuration.

ssh iot@192.168.1.100
# Or using PowerShell
Enter-PSSession -ComputerName iot -Credential (Get-Credential)

Troubleshooting

Ensure the SD card is formatted as FAT32 before flashing.
Check BIOS/UEFI settings for boot order on the target board.
Review EventViewer logs on the device for driver errors.

FAQ

Can I use a Linux host to build the image?: No, the official Imaging Tools are Windows‑only.
How large can my custom image be?: Maximum size is limited by the storage medium; a 32 GB SD card is recommended for extensive customizations.
Where can I find driver updates?: Visit the Windows IoT Core Drivers page.

Support

Need help? Post a question on the Windows‑IoT tag on Stack Overflow or join the official Discord channel.