How to install Windows 7 from a USB device

Posted Date: 16-Jun-2010		Category: Performance & Optimization
Author: S.Vinoth	Member Level: Gold
Rating:	Points: 40 (Rs 40)

If you want to install Windows 7 (Seven) on a Netbook or an ultraportable that does not have a DVD player, you're forced to either buy an external DVD drive or find a way to install from Windows 7 a USB key that is more convenient and faster than a DVD player. For this reason in this article I will try to explain how to install Windows 7 (Seven) from a USB drive.

Note: with the same technique you can install Windows XP or Windows Vista on a Netbook or an ultraportable.

Tools needed to install Windows 7 from USB devices:

A USB storage device 4GB minimum

The DVD of Windows 7

The Diskpart utility (available with Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7)

If you do not have Diskpart you can download for free from Microsoft at: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0FD9788A-5D64-4F57-949F-EF62DE7AB1AE

First step: prepare the USB stick to make it bootable

Insert the USB key, and in the AutoPlay window click Open folder display files

Check that you have no data on this key, all data will be removed

Right click on the letter of the USB key, then Properties

Note the capacity of the USB

On the Start menu, All Programs, Accessories, right-click Command Prompt and Run as Administrator

Type diskpart and press Enter

Then type listdisk

The drive list is displayed, look at the disk size closest to your USB drive

Type select disk 1 (1 here is the disk number of USB)

You will see the message: Disk 1 is now the selected disk

Type clean

You will see the message: Diskpart succeeded in cleaning the disk

Type create partition primary

You will see the message: Diskpart succeeded in creating the specified partition

Type Active

You will see the message: Diskpart said the current partition as active

Type format fs = fat32 quick

You will see the message: 100 percent done DiskPart formatted the volume

Type assign

You will see the message: DiskPart successfully assigned the drive letter or mount point

Type exit to exit Diskpart

You will see the message: Quit DiskPart ...

Type exit (again) to exit the command prompt

Put the Windows 7 DVD in

Right click on the DVD drive letter, then explore

Select all the files and all folders, then right click and Copy

Double click on the letter of the USB key and then right click and Paste

Wait for some time to copy the Windows (2.45 GB)

Step Two: Set the BIOS to boot from a removable disk

When starting the computer press Del or F2 (or another key depending on your setup) to enter the setup

In the Boot tab enter Boot Device Priority(cd-ROM or HDD)

Choose First Disk as removable

Set 1st Boot Device, 2nd Boot Device Removable it is the 3rd Boot Device CDROM And is HardDisk (Its of your choice)

If you are in the Setup Hard Disk Drives, set the first name to make it on your USB drive

Press F10 to save and exit (or another key depending on your setup)

At startup the computer will boot from the USB key and then it's exactly the same as installing from a DVD

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