Windows 8 ESD file

Short:

ESD is an Encrypted WIM file, Electronic Software Download. (Thanks 8675309) “Encrypted Storage Disk” or “Encrypted System Disk” perhaps

Long:

While installing Windows 8 I came across an ESD file which I had never encountered before, and the investigation began.

The Windows 8 Upgrade Assistent began downloading WinPayload.esd to “D:\Users\GravyCode\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WebSetup\Download\WinPayload.esd”.

Looking into memory I found some interesting XML data of which I will share a few abstracts below:

D:\Users\GravyCode\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WebSetup\Download\WinPayload.esd
D:\Users\GravyCode\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WebSetup\Download\WinPayload.esd.decrypt
http://sg.win.esd.microsoft.com/W8DL/[somedata]/Windows8-ProESDwithApps-64bit-EnglishUnitedKingdom-X1816623.esd?t=[somevariable]
[..............CUT..............]
[file hash]

So in theory it’s an encrypted WIM file of some sort.

D:\Users\Matty\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WebSetup\Download\WinPayload.esd.decrypt
C:\ESD\Windows

Looking further it seems that it will be extracted to “C:\ESD\Windows” which is a hidden folder created by the update assistant which will now contain a nice “setup.exe”.

I’ll assume it stands for “Encrypted Storage Disk” or “Encrypted System Disk”.

After the updater completing the download it will give you the option to create an ISO, create a boot-able thumb disk or leave it till another time. Don’t wait till another time. =]