Thread: Installing Windows 7 using USB Flash Drive

Installing Windows 7 using USB Flash Drive


Requirements:

1) USB drive booting support

2) 4GB flash drive (minimum) more is recommended

3) Utility to Setup files to USB

4) Windows 7 Setup DVD or ISO File


WinToFlash is utility which we can use to transfer windows 7 installation disc to USB. Just download the utility no

installation required.

Open the utility and select the "TASK" tab from the "Task type" drop down list select "transfer windows vista/2008/7 setup to usb drive", now you will have to choose the location of Windows 7 installation disc the source and USB drive the destination.

You will have to accept the Windows 7 EULA and click "Continue" button. The utility will transfer the files to the

USB when completed you are done now you can use the USB drive to install windows 7.


Another utility is from Microsoft -- Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool which is an open source, if you have an ISO file then its better to use this utility.

Requirements for Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool

1). Windows XP SP2 or higher

2). For XP additional requirement

2.1). .NET Framework 2.0

2.2). Microsoft Image Mastering API v2

After installing the utility and the additional requirements we can proceed to create USB setup its pretty simple.

Open the utility select your ISO file click NEXT now click "USB device" button in next screen and select your USB drive and click "Begin copying" the process will begin and when it gets over you USB Windows 7 Setup drive is ready to use.


WinToFlash - Install Windows from usb - Download page

Microsoft Store: Download Manager Help

Good one. I was about to write this

Hooo no i snatched it form you...

Yes, I had my eyes on this topic too...

This blog is also useful.
foribb: September 2009

This guide works 100% for Vista & Windows 7 unlike most of the guides out there. I have seen many sites/blogs that have “Install Vista from USB guide” but either with incomplete steps or not working guide. I have also seen some guides that don’t’ use proper commands in this guide. After spending many hours I have come up with this 100% working guide.

Bootable USB drive

I just did this method on one of my friends machine and installed the new Windows 7 BETA. The main advantage is that by using USB drive you will be able to install Windows 7/Vista in just 15 minutes. You can also use this bootable USB drive on friend’s computer who doesn’t have a DVD optical drive.

The method is very simple and you can use without any hassles. Needless to say that your motherboard should support USB Boot feature to make use of the bootable USB drive.

Requirements:

*USB Flash Drive (Minimum 4GB)

*Windows 7 or Vista installation files.

Follow the below steps to create bootable Windows 7/Vista USB drive using which you can install Windows 7/Vista easily.

1. Plug-in your USB flash drive to USB port and move all the contents from USB drive to a safe location on your system.

2. Open Command Prompt with admin rights. Use any of the below methods to open Command Prompt with admin rights.

*Type cmd in Start menu search box and hit Ctrl+ Shift+ Enter.

Or

*Go to Start menu > All programs > Accessories, right click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

3. You need to know about the USB drive a little bit. Type in the following commands in the command prompt:

First type DISKPART and hit enter to see the below message.

Bootable USB Drive

Next type LIST DISK command and note down the Disk number (ex: Disk 1) of your USB flash drive. In the below screenshot my Flash Drive Disk no is Disk 1.

4. Next type all the below commands one by one. Here I assume that your disk drive no is “Disk 1”.If you have Disk 2 as your USB flash drive then use Disk 2.Refer the above step to confirm it.

So below are the commands you need to type and execute one by one:

SELECT DISK 1

CLEAN

CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY

SELECT PARTITION 1

ACTIVE

FORMAT FS=NTFS

(Format process may take few seconds)

ASSIGN

EXIT

Don’t close the command prompt as we need to execute one more command at the next step. Just minimize it.

Bootable USB Drive

5. Next insert your Windows7/Vista DVD into the optical drive and check the drive letter of the DVD drive. In this guide I will assume that your DVD drive letter is “D” and USB drive letter is “H” (open my computer to know about it).

6. Maximize the minimized Command Prompt in the 4th step.Type the following command now:

D: CD BOOT and hit enter.Where “D” is your DVD drive letter.

CD BOOT and hit enter to see the below message.

7. Type another command given below to update the USB drive with BOOTMGR compatible code.

BOOTSECT.EXE /NT60 H:

14

Where “H” is your USB drive letter. Once you enter the above command you will see the below message.

8. Copy your Windows 7/Vista DVD contents to the USB flash drive.

9. Your USB drive is ready to boot and install Windows 7/Vista. Only thing you need to change the boot priority at the BIOS to USB from the HDD or CD ROM drive. I won’t explain it as it’s just the matter the changing the boot priority or enabling the USB boot option in the BIOS.

Note: If you are not able to boot after following this guide means you haven’t set the BIOS priority to USB. If you got any problem in following this guide feel free to ask questions by leaving comment

Jason Harding

nice work on the post

hi guyz...the easiest way to make a bootable window 7 flash drive is by using ultraiso

I m sure you have heard about various image burning tools like poweriso or magiciso.Ultraiso is also a image burning tool but along with image burining it can be used to make a bootable winow7 .
so just go to ezbsystems.com Bootable CD maker, ISO CD image creator/editor/converter and virtual CD software - three powerful and versatile products from EZB Systems.[/url] and download a trial version of this software and forget about all these lenghty commands

regards
ravi
admissionadd.com -- now dont miss even a single admission news!!!