The ultimate solution for deploying involves extracting the compressed executable and integrating it into your bootable PE environment to restore the classic disk cloning utility.
: Move your compressed Ghost file to the following directory within your extracted folder: For Windows Mini XP HBCD\Programs\Files\Ghost32.7z HBCD\Dos\Ghost.7z Rebuild the ISO
: Norton Ghost images can be highly compressed, making them easy to store on technician drives.
Required for pure 64-bit modern UEFI Windows PE environments. ghost32 7z for hiren boot cd
to the following directory within your extracted Hiren's folder: \HBCD\Programs\Files\ Note: Some versions use a compression format; in those cases, you may need to use to pack the executable. Rebuild the ISO HBCDCustomizer.exe
: Ensure you have a legitimate version of ghost32.exe (for 32-bit environments) or ghost64.exe (for 64-bit PE).
Because Norton Ghost is a proprietary commercial tool, it is not legally bundled by default in official, modern WinPE distributions. You must source the standalone ghost32.exe binary from your own licensed installer or legacy backup media. Ensure you have the version that matches your targeted architecture (32-bit for older systems or specific legacy PE environments). 2. Hiren's BootCD ISO The ultimate solution for deploying involves extracting the
: Launch the HBCD Program Launcher (the wrench icon), navigate to , and then select Cloning Process to create a backup or From Image to restore one.
If you use Rufus to burn Hiren's BootCD PE to a USB flash drive, the process is straightforward: Burn the official Hiren's ISO to your USB drive.
While modern versions of Hiren’s BootCD (such as the Windows 10/11 PE-based editions) include excellent open-source imaging tools, legacy technicians still rely heavily on Norton Ghost. to the following directory within your extracted Hiren's
If you run into problems, here are solutions to some frequent issues:
: Navigate to the custom tools or partition directory inside the image.
Navigate to the folder where portable applications are stored. In standard HBCD PE structures, this is typically located under: \HBCD_PE\Programs\ or within the boot WIM file. Create a folder named Ghost and drop ghost32.exe inside it.
If you just want a ready to drop into HBCD, search for: Ghost32_11.5.1_with_7z_console.7z – it's widely available on Hiren’s add-on forums.
This is the last standalone 32-bit version that works without installation, supports NTFS, USB, and network cloning.