Windows Preinstallation Environment (also known as Windows PE and WinPE) is a lightweight version of Windows used for the deployment of PCs, workstations, and servers, or troubleshooting an operating system while it is offline. It is intended to replace MS-DOS boot disks and can be booted via USB flash drive, PXE, iPXE, CD-ROM, or hard disk. Developed by Microsoft
License: Free
Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE) is a lightweight environment primarily for installing and recovering Windows, while UBCD4Win is a more comprehensive recovery tool with a graphical interface and a wide array of utilities. WinPE is best suited for advanced users familiar with command-line use, whereas UBCD4Win provides a more user-friendly experience for system recovery.