Exports an existing install image from an image store.
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Last verified: 2026-10-26
Microsoft WDS reference: Exports an existing install image from an image store. The syntax and selected example below are adapted from the pinned Windows Server 2025 reference. Module availability, target configuration and delegated permissions determine whether it can run in your environment. Documentation and parameter text: Microsoft, CC BY 4.0; formatting adapted by Cmdlet World. No execution testing is claimed.
Use an account with the target resource permissions documented for Export-WdsInstallImage. Modifying administrative cmdlets may require elevation or delegated administration. This catalog does not assert that ordinary users can execute the command.
Supported environments
Windows / WDS · Windows Server 2025 documentation; feature/module prerequisites apply
Parameters
-Append
Indicates that the cmdlet appends an image to an existing image file. The cmdlet creates a new file that has the image if there is no existing image file.
-AsJob
Runs the cmdlet as a background job. Use this parameter to run commands that take a long time to complete. The cmdlet immediately returns an object that represents the job and then displays the command prompt. You can continue to work in the session while the job completes. To manage the job, use the *-Job cmdlets. To get the job results, use the Receive-Job cmdlet. For more information about Windows PowerShell® background jobs, see about_Jobs.
-CimSession
Runs the cmdlet in a remote session or on a remote computer. Enter a computer name or a session object, such as the output of a New-CimSession or Get-CimSession cmdlet. The default is the current session on the local computer.
-Destination (required)
Specifies a fully qualified path that is available to the Windows Deployment Service server.
-FileName
Specifies a file name. This is the file name of the install image. Specifies the file name of the install image. Use this parameter to specify the file name for the install image if the install image name does not uniquely identify the image.
-Force
Forces the command to run without asking for user confirmation.
-ImageGroup
Specifies the name of an image group. This image group contains the image to export. If you do not specify an image group, and only one image group exists on the server, the cmdlet uses that image group by default. If more than one image group exists on the server, you must specify the image group
-ImageName (required)
Specifies the name of an image. This is the name of the image to export.
-NewDescription
Specifies a new description for the install image to create in the export operation
-NewImageName
Specifies a new name for the image file to create in the export operation. If you do not specify a name, the cmdlet uses the display name of the source image.
-ThrottleLimit
Specifies the maximum number of concurrent operations that can be established to run the cmdlet. If this parameter is omitted or a value of 0 is entered, then Windows PowerShell® calculates an optimum throttle limit for the cmdlet based on the number of CIM cmdlets that are running on the computer. The throttle limit applies only to the current cmdlet, not to the session or to the computer.
Prerequisites
Windows with the WDS module and the Windows feature or management tools that provide it. Confirm target connectivity and version compatibility using the linked Microsoft reference.
Security considerations
This cmdlet changes system state. Review every target and parameter in the official reference, test outside production, and prepare an appropriate backup or rollback. Do not execute the example automatically.
This command exports an image and appends the image to an existing file, if it exists. Source: Microsoft, CC BY 4.0; transcript prompt/output removed. This example was not executed.