[How to] extract .SDC file from MSDNAA

Written by Jonathan on August 20th, 2009 | Posted in How to, Tools | Tags: SDC

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Update Nov 10th 2009

If you still have the latest .sdc file of Windows 7 Professional and unable to mount/extract it you should stop trying as you can now obtain Windows 7 Professional ISO from the official retailer website. Here is the link to obtain your Windows 7 image file

If you are like me, download a file from a source that’s end with .SDC file. How to extract it? So first thing first, what is SDC file?

The .SDC file format is a Secure Download Cabinet file. It is an encrypted and compressed file format for Internet delivery of the products. The product executable that is downloaded from ELMS decrypts and extracts the product. If you have an SDC file on your hard drive after downloading a product, the process has failed. Delete the SDC and try again.

Note this kind file will only exists when you download from ELMS encrypted MSNDAA site. I got it from my school SFU’s MSNDAA website. They have the newest Windows 7 Professional available to download both 64 bit and 32 bit. You can download from the website or burn your own DVD. However, when I choose to download it from their website, I always getting an error code: SDC00400

My installer returns an error SDC00400 – Unable to complete download what is wrong?
The SDC00400 – Unable to complete the download error is typically caused by:

an error in the configuration of the download package, usually due to a bad hosting location

no Internet connection found

Internet connection lost

a firewall or proxy server between the client station and hosting location, or

insufficient disk space to download.

Which means if I want to have it working I need to wait and download it from the official way, which I debt it will fix the connection or anything to do with the list above. So I end up at this site that offers the exact same file from the official MSNDAA

Because the file is encrypted you can’t use any tool you normally would to extract it. I found this guy wrote a program that can decode the encryption and extract the file.

Though he didn’t write much instruction on how to use the command utility exactly.

Correction: When you download the file from MSNDAA there will be 2 separate .sdc files you need to combine them together (same as other files over MSNDAA)

en_windows_7_professional_x64_dvd_X15-65805.01.sdc
en_windows_7_professional_x64_dvd_X15-65805.02.sdc

en_windows_7_professional_x86_dvd_x15-65804.01.sdc
en_windows_7_professional_x86_dvd_x15-65804.02.sdc

Rename them to 1.sdc and 2.sdc for easy command line file name entry.

unpack_sdc

Here I renamed the file into 1.sdc and 2.sdc make the new file called 3.sdc (for easier command line use)

Next You need to unzip the "unpacksdc" first, and then navigate to the same directory as your newly combined sdc file.

Type: unpacksdc [space] [sdc file name] [space] [output directory] (don’t enter bracket and space when using the command line)

On the image above I extracted the file named "en_windows_7_professional_x64_dvd_X15-65805.sdc" to C:\Download directory. (or 3.sdc instead of the full name, since you’ve already combine them in the previous step)

The total unpacked size for

en_windows_7_professional_x64_dvd_X15-65805 is 3149108KB and

en_windows_7_professional_x86_dvd_x15-65804 is 2443256KB

Enjoy! That’s it. This works for any other sdc files.

Download the latest unpacksdc here

IMPORTANT UPDATE PLEASE READ !

as one of our reader point out that all the problem you might experiencing after late Aug are the result of the change Microsoft did on the encryption.The guy who wrote the sdc unpacker is currently working on the new version, that might also include a UI for general public easy use. At this point while the new unpacker haven’t released. You may want to find some other alternative to download the ISO file. (usually your school should also provide the ISO image file for you to burn as well)

Once again, if you are luckily got it working, great. At the time I was writing this post, I had no problem what so ever. It works perfectly fine for me. Apologize for those who followed, but still can’t get it working. Keep checking our post as I will update any news regarding on this issue.

Disclaimer
Before you act upon this post, please read this disclaimer.

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Rafael

Man, you saved my life! Thanks, it works nice and easy!!

chris

hii Jonathan i downloaded windows7.sdc and unpack with unpacksdc but then there is not windows7.iso like yours there is always windows7.sdc again after unpack with unpacksdc sorry for my bad english lol :p where is the problem?

Jonathan

I'm not sure what's the problem you have there, but a short answer for you is that even tho you have the right .sdc file the likelihood that you will be successfully extract it is low because the encryption has changed.
I do suggest you to download the .iso file instead, as I've mentioned in my updates there are links you can go and download it directly. and it's from official HTTP server

hope those helps cheers

Vlaasa

C:\Downloads>unpacksdc 3.sdc C:Downloads\
UnpackSDC 1.1 (c) imagi

Unhandled Exception: System.IO.FileNotFoundException: Could not find file 'C:\Do
wnloads\3.sdc'.
File name: 'C:\Downloads\3.sdc'
at System.IO.__Error.WinIOError(Int32 errorCode, String maybeFullPath)
at System.IO.FileStream.Init(String path, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, I
nt32 rights, Boolean useRights, FileShare share, Int32 bufferSize, FileOptions o
ptions, SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES secAttrs, String msgPath, Boolean bFromProxy)
at System.IO.FileStream..ctor(String path, FileMode mode, FileAccess access,
FileShare share)
at ☻.☻(String[] ☻)

I Getting this error... When i use command to extract, my Windows 7 X64 say to me that program unpacksdc.exe stop working...

Can you help me pls?

windows7hacker

Hi Vlaasa

from the error message I can tell that you either didn't create the 3.sdc or you don't have the "unpacksdc" in the same folder as 3.sdc

as I've mentioned at the beginning of my post, the unpacksdc is likely not working now. You can get your windows 7 professional ISO image from the link I posted here its from the official Windows retailer.

Hope that helps

Vlaasa

Yeah i know that but i want this version of Windows for some test. I copy 01SDC + 02SDC and get 03SDC file about 2,09 GB (2.251.202.560 byts) so that it Windows 7 x86.

My unpacksdc.exe is in the same folder where is 03.SDC now i try on another comp this and same error geting :(

divineCharon

Yeah. It always says

UnpackSDC 1.1 (c) imagi
This file is not SDC file or this format is not supported.

:(

mac user

Thank you for providing another virus to the windows platform!

nuevo_sol

Uh, don't know if anyone has mentioned this already (sorry if they have), but when you download the Windows 7 thing from the MSDNAA website, you need to be connected to the 'local intranet' of whichever school you go to. You can't download it from home or over the wireless network available at school.

Filful

I am using windows vista. After combining 1.sdc and 2.sdc when I try use unpackdsc command, I receive " 'unpackdsc' is not recognized az internal or external command"!

Jonathan

You need to navigate to the directory of the unpacksdc folder. and then call the method.

also as I've stated on the bottom of the post. The new release of sdc file will not work with the current unpacksdc tool. MS has yet changed the encryption method

at this point you should try and find another way around get the ISO image file. Such as go to your school's IT service to obtain an Windows 7 Professional ISO or burn it in school's machine or the last, but highly not recommended is to get it from torrent

Filful

Thanks Jonathan,
I thinks I don't have unpacksdc folder. Where can I find it? Is it necessary to download special programs for extracting?

Jonathan

please take your time read my post. I mentioned everything you need there and updated info.

Cheers

Filful

Sorry, I read it. I downloaded unpacksdc application and extracted it in same folder. But I receive new error "This file is not SDC file or this format is not supported"

Jonathan

I guess if this is the case, that means you are getting a "new" kinda SDC file, which for now there is no way to solve this issue yet. Keep checking back see if there is any new release of the unpacksdc tool

at meantime, try to get it from other source

enyad

you mention not to get if from torrent site. u mean there are no torrents that are clean? i have downloaded a copy of the ultimate and check the hash value against that which is mentioned on msdn site. they are the same...could this copy be tampered with as well?

Jonathan

it is not recommended, but feel free to try it out. As personally I haven't test which torrent is good or bad. But if the checksum is right why not give it a try :)

Jonathan

I'm Jonathan too. :D

Anyway, exactly. You've kinda been misleading everyone. Imagi has had a new post up since Aug 29th saying he will be releasing a new version. Please update your post to reflect that, you are providing inaccurate and old information.

Jonathan

Well, at the time this was written, it worked perfectly fine for me. and also note I did wrote this on Aug 29th.

Just trying to help ppl out. also Thanks for the mention I will update this post.

Christopher

Jonathan, where did you get the *.scd files? I downloaded my ones on mid september, and unpacksdc can't handle them. I have to use this tool like many of you because the downloader doesn't do it job correctly.

Jonathan

Hi Chris, as I've mentioned in my post I downloaded the .sdc file from this server http://ftp.sh.cvut.cz/MSDNAA/Rapid_Setup/

you can get almost all the MSDNAA stuff from there as well not only limit to Windows 7. But as I've said in the update. Microsoft has changed the encryption algorithm so that the unpackersdc doesn't work anymore after late Aug.

enyad

my understanding is that microsoft has changed the encryption method that this unpacker would have been able to beat in previous files obtained from these sites. therefore you will always get these error messages when trying to use this method on the windows 7 sdc files etc.

Just have to wait and see if someone else is ingenious enough to come up with a way to unpack these files...or source them elsewhere on the net

V

I downloaded it. There is only one . Sdc file on the ecamedy for me. When I open the unpack extraction it just open with flash screen and disappears.
And then I try it in windows cmd.
Am I doing the right thing?

Everytime I do it it says unpacksdc is not valid internal or external......
Download the file 4 times. It wouldn't unapack by it self.
Help!!

anoniem

"If you have an SDC file on your hard drive after downloading a product, the process has failed. Delete the SDC and try again."
what means it? i have always SDC file after downloading.
Must it another file or what?
anyone can help me please?

Jonathan

ok ignore "delete and try again" on SDC file, yes you are on the right track. don't delete it, you need to combine the 2 sdc file into one sdc file and extract it using the tool I've mentioned earlier.

Read the post. You need to type
copy /b 1.sdc+2.sdc 3.sdc
to combine the sdc file and then use the unpacksdc tool

Anoniem

I dont get any error with downloading, have done it for 3times. and get the same problem, on vista either. there is anything that i do wrong?

I download 2 .sdc files, i do the same as in this tut. all works fine but unpacking won't work.

anoniem

wont work, he said:
This file is not SDC file or this format is not supported.

ayordanov

That means you are out of luck :).

Why are you trying this method in the first place?
What is the error that you get while downloading through the MSDNAA downloader?

Anoniem

Hello,
i have downed it but with unpacking 3.sdc
get is this in cmd.exe

UnpackSDC 1.1 imagi
Usage: UnpackSDC [SdcFile] [OutputDir]
SdcFile - file to unpack
OutputDir - file to unpack
skiprc - when specified, crc check will be skipped

Can anyone help me to fix this problem?
Btw, im XP user, i hope it can be unpacked on XP either. Please help me! Thank you.

pat025

unpacksdc 3.sdc C:\

Jonathan

You are on the right track

after you combined the 2 file and created the 3.sdc type the following in your command line

unpacksdc 3.sdc C:\

this will extract the sdc file into your root C directory (as an example I've mentioned early in my post)

XP should be fine with this. and also make sure that the 3.sdc file and the unpacksdc command line tool is in the same directory

ayordanov

For all getting the "checking file crc.." problem in the downloader and for which the above does not work read below.

For me the above did not work(I was getting file not sdc error). So i downloaded the files mentioned above, combined them in 1 file. Renamed it to en_windows_7_professional_x64_dvd_X15-65805.01.sdc and moved it to the MSDNAA downloader folder. I had a file named the same way there, so i replaced it. Then I started the downloader again and clicked "Resume". This time the downloader unpack it without a problem. I had a iso with the correct SHA1 hash 50127304441A793EE51B3F501289F6599A559E9F.

Thats it.
If you have any questions ask.

Jonathan

where you getting the sdc file might be the reason you getting sdc file error. But glad you got it working.

ayordanov

I downloaded them from the place you mentioned(http://ftp.sh.cvut.cz/MSDNAA/Rapid_Setup/). I was very curious of why it didn't work for me. After all, I did exactly what you said with the same set of files. But it didn't work, so I resorted to other techniques :).

questore

I downloaded and copied the 1.sdc and 2.sdc together, and when I tryed to unpack it says:
This file not SDC file or this is not supported format
I downloaded files with wired lan, and did not interupted. Everything seems fine.
What the hell is wrong with it??

Jonathan

not sure why this happened, when you combine them together make sure its a new .sdc file. For me I didn't directly download from the MSDNAA, I got mine file from the ftp website I mentioned earlier. and it works perfectly fine with me.

questore

I downloaded from ftp too, and copyed the 2 files to a 3. Have the same problem.

Harrison

This has been very helpful, thank you. Now with the unpacked file, can I write it to a DVD to use for installing or what file type is it?

Besides this I just ran into some unhandled exceptions which I will post in a reply to this, I could use some help.

Jonathan

yes after you unpacked the file you will got yourself a image file, you can burn this on a DVD or extract it on your hard drive to upgrade your windows (note: Windows 7 Professional only support upgrade path from Windows Vista Business with the corresponding 32 bit or 64 bit)

http://www.windows7hacker.com/index.php/2009/07...

this link hows you how to mount the ISO, also note that Windows 7 itself can burn the ISO image file on to the DVDs as well

Harrison

It's claiming that the format is not supported again after I redownloaded and set it all up again. This is starting to get me sort of aggravated.

Harrison

Augh, it ended up above because I clicked the wrong reply. And it didn't finish the errors. Just ignore that please, or delete it.

questore

MSDNA downloader made me crazy. I downloaded MSDNA windows 7 sdc file twice, but when it had to check crc it freezed. The unpacking sad its not a supported file format. So I realy hope, this way works. How can a Word famous company work like this? Shame on you Microsoft!

userrr

This is my problem likewise.

"Here I renamed the file into 1.sdc and 2.sdc make the new file called 3.sdc (for easier command line use) " --> OK, the thing works this far.

Problem: http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/821/errorqsx...

Jonathan

Yes I give up on the downloader after a few try. That's why I went and download all the file from there http://ftp.sh.cvut.cz/MSDNAA/Rapid_Setup/ really fast. and extract the sdc file using the unpacksdc, because supposedly the MSNDAA downloader should do it for you, but it never works.

Harrison

Unhandled Exception: System.IO.InvalidDataException: Block length does not match with its complement
at System.IO.Compression.Inflater.DecodeUncompressedBlock
at System.IO.Compression.Inflater.Decode
at System.IO.Compression.Inflater.Inflate
at System.IO.Compression.Deflate.Read
at {happyface?}.{happyface?}

enyad

I tried using ur method for windows 7 professional from the MSDNAA site and using the version of unpacksdc that u suggested, but every time i get a message saying "file not sdc or format not supported". I used the same program with the vista files and was able to unpack them (all from same MSDNAA site)

Do u have any suggestions? Perhaps I am doing something wrong

enyad

Thanks for such a quick reply. I am almost sure that is the site I downloaded from as well. Anyhow, I am going to re-download the files and then try again. I will let you know if it works this time.

Again, thanks for replying so quickly

Jonathan

Hi enyad, first there are few things need to be cleared. I did this method is because I getting the error code, won't let me start download from the offical MSNDAA, later I found the site that offers the exact same file. So I downloaded from there.

Now I only got .sdc file, so first is try to combine the twon into one sdc file. As I've mentioned use the command

copy /b 1.sdc+2.sdc 3.sdc

this will create and combine a new file

using this newly created 3.sdc and put the unpacksdc command line utility on the same directory. Use the command line to navigate to the directory, and type "unpacksdc" follow with the 3.sdc and the new file location.

let me know if you still have trouble doing this.