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I need to create a Windows live CD. Is there any way I can create a light weight Windows (any version) live CD through which I can just get the basic windows explorer. The purpose is just to copy important files from/to a crashed system quickly. I encounter scenarios like this often and it usually takes a lot of time booting live Linux CDs. Any ideas would be very helpful.

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I don't think any "live windows cd" will boot faster than any live linux cd! – fretje Aug 12 '09 at 14:20
precisely that's why I want it trimmed down – darthvader Aug 12 '09 at 16:46
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BartPE is what you are looking for.

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

Although there is no explorer support, there is a file manager for it as well as the command prompt. Plus, countless plugins and driver support.

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I think booting a live linux cd takes less time than booting a Bart PE cd. – fretje Aug 12 '09 at 14:19
One added benefit of BartPE is that antivirus software can be run on the drive. – Daniel A. White Aug 12 '09 at 14:25
It might be nice to get an updated version now Windows 7 is available. Using the Windows AIK you can built a Pre-boot Environment CD or USB out of any version – Ivo Flipse♦ Aug 12 '09 at 14:44
Can it access network resources? – darthvader Aug 12 '09 at 16:47
Yes it can aslong as you inject the appropriate drivers. We used to use bartpe all the time to image machines in mass. – Daniel A. White Aug 12 '09 at 17:20
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I'd be inclined to produce an optimised Windows image using nLite as the base for BartPE to work it's magic.

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