If you’ve ever tried fixing a broken Windows install or customizing an ISO, you’ve probably met DISM. Short for Deployment Image Servicing and Management, DISM is Microsoft’s powerful command-line tool. It handles everything from repairing component stores to injecting drivers into WIM files.
But here’s the catch: DISM’s black screen and endless commands scare off most users. Typing dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth feels like hacking the Matrix . That’s where DISMTools shines. This free, open-source GUI turns complex tasks into simple clicks. Leave the Matrix to Neo, and lets start using DISMTools.
What is DISMTools?
In the fewest words possible, we can say that DISMTools is a modern GUI front-end for DISM. Launched to fill the gap in free, updated GUIs, it rivals paid tools like NTLite but stays 100% open-source and gratis.
In the casual developer lingo, we can say that DISMTools is like Visual Studio but for Windows images. It uses a project-based workflow: Create a project, mount your image, tweak settings, and save everything in one spot. No more hunting folders or forgetting scratch directories.
It supports Windows 8.1+ (clients), Windows Server 2012+ (non-Core), handles WIM, ESD, SWM, VHD, VHDX files and works online (your current OS) or offline (any drive).
Features of DISMTools
DISMTools packs pro-level tools in an easy interface:
Image Magic
- Mount, unmount, capture, commit images with one button
- Mounted Image Manager: View all active mounts and export info as Markdown/HTML reports.
- Auto-detects Group Policy sources for repairs.
AppX and Package Power
- Manage modern apps with Store logos and auto-download from App Installer packs.
- Enable/disable features, capabilities, and packages effortlessly.
Driver Domination
- Add/remove drivers with signer details displayed.
- Bulk operations for clean installs.
Unattended Setup Wizard
- Build answer files for automated installs – no XML headaches.
- ISO Creator: Bundle your tweaked image into a bootable ISO (needs Windows ADK).
Smart Extras
- DISM Config Editor: Exclude junk during captures.
- System Service Manager (newer versions).
- Preinstallation Helper for PE environments.
Easy Installation
The easiest way to download and install DISMTools is through WinGet. Here is the command:
winget install CodingWondersSoftware.DISMTools.Stable
Another way to get the installer is by manually downloading it from the GitHub. You can download the installer and launch it to install DISMTools on your Windows PC.
And if you are not interested in installing it on your Windows PC, then you can run it as a portable app. For this, you will have to download the portable version. This portable version is available from GitHub in the ZIP archive format.
Getting Started
- Launch DISMTools → File > New Project.
- Mount Image: Drag a `install.wim` or select Image > Mount.
- Tweak Away:
- Add drivers: Drivers tab > Add Folder.
- Remove bloat: AppX > Remove.
- Repair: Cleanup > Restore Health.
- Commit & Save: Hit Commit then File > Save Project.
Test in minutes: Create an ISO, boot a VM, and watch your custom Windows fly!
Conclusion
DISMTools brings the power of DISM command line tool to the people who prefer GUI. Free forever, feature-packed, and user-friendly, it empowers you to customize, repair, and deploy Windows like a pro.
You can download DISMTools from https://github.com/CodingWonders/DISMTools.