ghost32.exe (for 32-bit) or ghost64.exe (for 64-bit) file. These are often found inside a Ghost folder in legacy Hiren's ZIP files or as a standalone utility.Ghost32.exe is ~4-5 MB. The .7z version is around 2 MB.Since the classic Hiren’s CD is obsolete for new hardware, consider these replacements included in Hiren’s Boot CD PE (2023 and later):
| Tool | Format | Best For |
|------|--------|-----------|
| Macrium Reflect Free | .exe (64-bit) | Sector-based imaging, WinPE 10/11, USB 3.0 support. |
| Clonezilla | Linux boot | Scriptable, multicast, supports all modern filesystems. |
| AOMEI Backupper | .exe | User-friendly, differential backups, system migration. |
| HDD Raw Copy Tool | .exe | Exact disk-to-disk cloning (no compression). |
If you love the Ghost interface, Symantec System Recovery 2013 (64-bit) is the successor, but it’s not free.
If you want, I can provide step-by-step extraction and GUI instructions tailored to a specific Hiren/WinPE version or outline a safe imaging checklist. Which would you prefer?
In classic versions of Hiren’s BootCD (typically version 15.2 and earlier), Ghost32—the 32-bit Windows version of Symantec Ghost—was often provided as a compressed .7z file due to licensing restrictions. Because Ghost is proprietary software, it was not always "pre-installed" in the live environment but was included as a payload that needed to be extracted and run manually within the Mini Windows XP environment. Procedures to Use Ghost32 from Hiren’s BootCD Boot into Mini Windows XP
Restart your computer and boot from your Hiren’s USB or CD.
Select Mini Windows XP from the main boot menu and wait for the desktop to load. Locate the Ghost32 Compressed File
Open My Computer and navigate to the Hiren’s BootCD drive (usually labeled HBCD). Open the HBCD folder, then go to the Programs directory. Look for a file named Ghost32.7z or a folder named Backup. Extract and Launch
Right-click the Ghost32.7z file and use the integrated 7-Zip utility to "Extract Here."
Once extracted, open the folder and double-click Ghost32.exe.
Note: If the Hiren’s menu is active, you can often navigate to HBCD Menu > Programs > Backup > Ghost > Ghost32, which may automate the extraction process for you. Perform Disk Imaging
Once the Ghost interface opens, click OK on the information screen. To create an image: Select Local > Disk > To Image. To restore an image: Select Local > Disk > From Image. Alternative for Hiren’s BootCD PE (Modern Versions)
If you are using the modern Hiren’s BootCD PE x64, Ghost32 is no longer included. Instead, you should use the pre-installed AOMEI Backupper or Macrium Reflect Free located under Start Menu > All Programs > Backup. Troubleshooting Tips
Missing Files: If you cannot find the .7z file, it may have been stripped from your specific ISO version to comply with copyright laws. You can manually add Ghost32.exe to your USB drive under the HBCD folder before booting. ghost32 7z for hiren boot cd
Driver Issues: Mini Windows XP is legacy software. If your hard drive (SATA/NVMe) is not visible in Ghost, you may need to enter your BIOS/UEFI settings and change the SATA mode from AHCI to IDE/Legacy. AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more
Restoring the Classic: Adding Ghost32 to Your Hiren’s BootCD
If you’re a veteran system admin or a DIY tech enthusiast, you know that Hiren’s BootCD (HBCD) is the Swiss Army knife of PC repair. However, since version 10.6, the legendary Norton Ghost imaging tool was removed due to licensing shifts.
If you have a licensed copy of Ghost and want to restore this essential "Hard Disk Imaging" functionality to your custom Hiren’s build, here is how you can package Ghost32.exe into a compressed archive (like .7z or .uha) and integrate it back into the menu. Why Ghost32?
While modern versions of Hiren’s BootCD PE (based on Windows 10/11) include free alternatives like Acronis True Image or AOMEI Backupper, many technicians still prefer Ghost32 for its speed, simplicity, and compatibility with older .gho image files. Phase 1: Preparing Your Files
To avoid errors like "File Missing: Ghost32.uha," you must package your licensed executable into the specific format Hiren’s expects.
Extract the ISO: Use the HBCD Customizer (found in the original HBCD download) to extract your Hiren's ISO to a folder like C:\MyBootCD.
Locate the Target Folder: Navigate to C:\MyBootCD\CD\HBCD\Programs\Files. This is where the individual tool archives live.
Get Your Executable: Have your licensed Ghost32.exe ready in a temporary folder (e.g., C:\ghost_temp). Phase 2: Archiving for the Menu
Hiren’s traditional menu often looks for a .uha (Uharc) or .7z (7-Zip) file to save space and trigger the launcher properly. For .7z (Modern/PE Versions):
Right-click your Ghost32.exe and use 7-Zip to create Ghost32.7z. Ensure the executable is at the root of the archive. For .uha (Classic HBCD 15.2 and older): Open a Command Prompt and navigate to your temp folder. Use the command: uharc a Ghost32.uha Ghost32.exe.
Move the resulting Ghost32.uha to C:\MyBootCD\CD\HBCD\WinTools\Files. Phase 3: Rebuilding the ISO
Once your compressed file is in the correct directory, you need to "seal" the disc back up. Ghost32 & 7-Zip for Hiren's BootCD — Proper
Launch HBCD Customizer: Go back to the tool you used in Step 1.
Select "Make ISO": Follow the on-screen prompts to recompile the folders into a bootable image.
Create Bootable Media: Use a tool like Rufus to burn your new, customized ISO to a USB drive. Select MBR for older BIOS systems or GPT if you are using the newer PE versions for UEFI. Pro-Tip: Command Line Shortcuts
Once you boot into Hiren’s and launch Ghost32, you can speed up repetitive tasks by using command line switches in the "Run" box:
-clone,mode=pcreate,src=1:1,dst=D:\backup.gho: Quickly creates a partition image.
-sure: Automatically answers "Yes" to all prompts (use with caution!).
By manually re-integrating Ghost, you combine the best of modern recovery environments with the classic imaging reliability you trust.
Need to troubleshoot a specific boot error? Let me know which version of Hiren's you're using (Classic 15.2 or the new PE) so I can give you the exact folder paths. AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more Hiren's CD-Creating Ghost32.Uha With Uharc - Scribd
Guide: Using Ghost32 on Hiren’s BootCD (PE and Classic) Norton Ghost (Ghost32.exe) is a legendary tool for disk cloning and backup. While older versions of Hiren’s BootCD (HBCD) included it by default, newer versions like Hiren’s BootCD PE (Preinstallation Environment) often require you to add it manually due to licensing.
This article covers how to prepare and run Ghost32 on both modern and classic versions of Hiren’s BootCD. 1. Preparing the Ghost32 Files
Because Ghost32 is proprietary, it is often distributed as a compressed archive (like .7z) to save space on bootable media.
Locate Ghost32: Ensure you have a legitimate version of ghost32.exe (for 32-bit environments) or ghost64.exe (for 64-bit PE).
Extraction: If your file is in a .7z format, use a tool like 7-Zip to extract the executable. A Hiren’s BootCD PE USB: You should already
Compression Note: If you are trying to fit Ghost onto a small USB or CD, you can re-compress it using 7-Zip, but it must be extracted before the Hiren's environment can run it. 2. Adding Ghost32 to Hiren’s BootCD PE (Modern)
Hiren’s BootCD PE is based on Windows 10 PE. It is designed to be customizable by adding your own portable tools to the USB drive.
Create your Bootable USB: Use Rufus to burn the HBCD PE ISO to a USB drive. Copy Ghost32: Open the USB drive in Windows Explorer. Navigate to the HBCD_PE\Programs folder. Create a new folder named Ghost. Paste your ghost32.exe (or ghost64.exe) into this folder. Boot and Run: Boot your target computer from the USB.
Once the desktop loads, use the File Explorer to navigate to your Ghost folder and run the .exe directly.
3. Running Ghost on Classic Hiren’s BootCD (v15.2 and below)
Older versions of Hiren’s often had Norton Ghost 11.5 built-in under the "Backup Tools" menu.
Accessing it: Boot the CD/USB -> Select Dos Programs -> Backup Tools -> Norton Ghost.
Automated Loading: These versions use a RAM drive to extract tools. If Ghost is missing from your specific "Restored" version of Hiren's, you may need to place the ghost.exe file in the HBCD\Dos folder of the ISO before burning it. 4. Common Ghost Procedures
Once Ghost32 is running, you will typically use one of these two modes:
Disk to Image: Creates a .GHO file of your entire hard drive. This is perfect for a full system backup before major repairs.
Image to Disk: Restores a previously created .GHO file to a new or formatted hard drive. Description Compatibility Ghost32 works on FAT32 and NTFS file systems. Cloning Supports "Disk to Disk" cloning for upgrading to an SSD. Compression Offers "Fast," "High," or "None" levels for image files. Troubleshooting Tips
Mouse Support: If your mouse doesn't work in the Ghost interface, ensure you are using the Windows PE version of Hiren’s, which handles USB drivers much better than the DOS-based versions.
Drive Letters: Note that in a PE environment, your C: drive might appear as D: or E:. Use the volume labels (names) to identify your partitions correctly.
Legacy BIOS vs. UEFI: For modern computers, ensure you create your Hiren's USB using the GPT partition scheme in Rufus to support UEFI booting. USB Booting | Hiren's BootCD PE