How do you fix Windows Cannot open the required file C sources install Wim?

In older versions of Windows 10, install.wim was smaller than the FAT32 file system 4GB maximum file size. Thus various people created applications and how-to articles that use a USB drive formatted with FAT32.

Then, sometime around 2018, install.wim grew to exceed the FAT32 limit. In Windows 10 version 1909, file install.wim is 4.6GB. Surprise! Even if install.wim is present, it is truncated to 4GB and therefore invalid. Now all those nice applications and instructions that people wrote in the past no longer work.

The NTFS and ExFAT file systems can handle large files--if you are lucky, your BIOS might support NTFS, but the UEFI standard mandates only FAT16 and FAT32.

The solution is to create two partitions. The first is a FAT32 partition containing an NTFS driver. This is used to access the big files on a second NTFS partition.

The Rufus application on Windows automatically creates such a two partition USB installation drive. I used it and it worked. I gave up on MacOS because it cannot write to NTFS without a special driver.

When installing a new program on your Windows computer, there are certain places that Windows looks at to get certain files required for the installation to run successfully. However, when Windows is unable to access those essential files, you could get the message “Windows cannot open the required file D:\Sources\Install.wim”, and the installation will fail. Fortunately, there are a few ways to get around this error and complete the action you were performing.

How to fix this error

Method 1: Recreate bootable installation media

When Windows is unable to boot properly, the best solution most of the time is to reinstall the OS using installation media. However, if you use the wrong installation media, you could get this error message. Corrupted installation media can also present this error message. Thus, the first thing to do is to recreate your installation media.

Download the Media Creation Tool and get the latest Windows 10 ISO. Run it and select "Create Installation Media for Another PC.” Preferably, use a USB device to create the installation media.

Method 2: Check the file and the disk

As the error message suggests, the computer is detecting an error with a file/disk. Hence, you need to check if the file is corrupt or look closely at the disk to see if there are visible scratches (in the latter case, use a disk cleaning solution to wipe the disk’s face or use alcohol).

In any case, you should attempt to copy the installation files from the disk to the hard drive, then reinstall Windows from the hard drive.

Method 3: Update the drivers

When your drivers are outdated, they could cause different errors to occur (due to incompatibility). So update your disk drivers and check if the error got fixed. You can check your PC’s manufacturer’s website for the latest updates to the drivers for your system. Using a USB device, get the updated drivers from another PC and push them to the problematic computer.

If the error is due to a defective disk drive, it’s best to replace the drive with a new, working one.

How to restore deleted data or partitions

Truth be told, trying out these troubleshooting steps can lead to data loss. There are also other actions that could lead to data loss. Regardless of what causes the data loss, DiskInternals Partition Recovery is a super-intuitive data recovery solution packed with a bunch of features. It also allows users to create disk images to save every bit of data on their hard drive in a virtual image format. It supports three (3) unique data recovery modes for data loss scenarios. DiskInternals Partition Recovery is arguably the best solution for Windows computer users who want to get back their lost files from any storage device.

The ability to install or reinstall Windows is important when formatting a new hard drive or fixing a corrupt operating system. When the message “Windows cannot open the required file D:\Sources\Install.wim. Make sure all files required for installation are available, and restart the installation. Error Code: 0x800700D” appears on the screen, the installation process halts. This error is a fatal error that cannot be worked around since the install.wim file is required for all Windows installations.

Wrong Disc

1. This error can appear if you use the wrong disc to reinstall the Windows operating system. The proper installation disc will be labelled Windows Install CD or Windows Recovery. There are Windows bootable discs that are used to boot the computer when the boot ability is lost. This type of disc does not have the necessary files to install a Windows operating system, but such discs are sometimes passed on as recovery discs. This type of disc is used only to repair a broken boot or to restore Windows to an old restore point.

Disc Problem

1. The error 0x8000700D tells the user that there is a problem with the file or the disc. Check for dirt, fingerprints and scratches on the back of the disc. Clean the surface of the disc with a soft cloth and rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol dries quickly and does not leave any residue. Try copying the installation files onto the hard drive, and then use that copy to install the Windows operating system. Windows Vista installation files need 3GB on the hard drive and 15GB for the operating system itself.

Drive Problem

1. A bad or old disk drive can cause the installation error as well. Update the drivers and firmware for the disk player. Look on the manufacturer’s webpage to find the most recent software. Use a USB flash drive to jump the drivers from a computer with access to Windows to the computer being fixed. A defective disk drive can also cause a bad burn and create a faulty disc. It may leave files out of the burn or skip parts of the files. Replace the disk drive if it is the problem.

Advanced Programming

1. This error occurs when a customized copy of install.wim is burned on the disc to use for installation. This customization is only used for advanced computer users that program their own software. The problem is not the customization, but of capturing of the install.wim file without the use of switches. The /flags switch is needed in this case because it writes the necessary metadata to the file. The customized install.wim is captured using this code: Imagex /capture c: z:\data.wim “drive c” /flags “EditionId.” The EditionId specifies which edition of Windows -- such as HomeBasic, HomePremium, Starter, Ultimate, Business, Enterprise, ServerDatacenter, and ServerEnterprise -- is in use. Once the metadata is in place, the installation program will read the disc.

   Where is install wim in windows 11?

   Install. wim is located in the Sources folder of your Windows Installation Media download.

   What is install wim file?

   The install. wim file (Windows Image File) is a compressed file which contains a set of many files and associated file system metadata and is included in any Windows installation Media under the "sources" folder (sources\install. wim).

   What is wim bootable?

   WimBoot is an alternative way for OEMs to deploy Windows. A WimBoot deployment boots and runs Windows directly out of a compressed Windows Image File (WIM). This WIM file is immutable, and access to it is managed by a new file system filter driver (WoF.