Windows could not collect information for [OSImage] since the specified image file [install.wim] does not exist.

Project help
1

Hello!

I tried Quincy Larson’s method for creating a bootable USB drive for a PC; unfortunately, I got the error message: “Windows could not collect information for [OSImage] since the specified image file [install.wim] does not exist.”

Is there a way to not have to Split that file due to ExFAT32 constraints?
Is it possible to create a bootable Windows thumbdrive using the ExFAT format instead?
This is the file I downloaded from the Windows site: Win10_21H1_English_x64.iso

I am grateful for any help.

Sincerely,
Doug Arnold

4

Hey there @guitahplayah welcome to the forums. What exactly are you trying to do? Are you using balena? If you’re simply trying to create a bootable Windows USB drive, then unfortunately that’s not supported by Etcher. Are you using Windows, macOS or Linux?

5

Hi, Chris

Yes, I am using balena.

I am a long-time Mac user who just built my first PC. I’m trying to install the ISO file onto a thumb drive formatted to ExFAT (not ExFAT32) in order to be able to boot from the drive to install Windows 10 onto the machine. The install goes fine until I get the error message:

“Windows could not collect information for [OSImage] since the specified image file [install.wim] does not exist.”

I am trying to create the bootable thumb drive on macOS for a PC. I can’t figure out how to get the install.wim file onto the thumb drive.

Thank you,
Doug

6

OK, thanks for the clarification Doug. In that case probably where you’re going wrong is continuing to use Etcher, it does not support creating bootable Windows images.

This guide is the one we’ve recommended to other folks in this situation, but I can’t confirm it works myself. I’m not sure how much it differs from the one you originally tried but perhaps worth a look?

7

Chris, thank you most kindly. I will check out the guide link you sent.

Peace,
Doug in Mansfield, MA