Tips: How to boot/install Windows 7/Vista from USB Flash/Hard Drive
To follow up with my previous post, for those who got their hands on the latest leak build, some of you are looking for blank Dvds or waiting for it to burn at low speed and hopefully it wont fail half way (bad burns). I’m not sure if this was posted before but here’s the solution.
- Get a 4GB USB Drive and plug it in under Vista (i don’t think XP has diskpart)
- Click Start –> type CMD and right click Run as Admin
- Inside cmd, type and enter the followings:
- diskpart
- type “list disk” and you will see all connected disks and numbers
- select disk X (X being the number of the usb disk )
- clean
- create partition primary
- select partition 1
- active
- format fs=fat32
- assign
- exit
- Open your drive under explorer, copy all files from vista/7 iso to the usb drive.
- in Bios, set to boot from USB and have fun.
For USB Hard drive,follow this tips from istartedsomething:
Updated Article
http://dotnetwizard.net/hacks/how-to-bootinstall-vista-from-a-usb-flash-drive/
Trackbacks & Pingbacks
- Pingback by How to boot/install Windows 7/Vista from USB Flash/Hard Drive « irony islet on January 2, 2009 @ 2:10 am
- Pingback by creating a bootable usb partition on a flash key or hard drive on April 16, 2009 @ 2:06 pm
- Pingback by Windows 7 RC auf dem Eee PC 901 « kurts blog on May 18, 2009 @ 10:54 pm
- Pingback by How to Install Windows 7 using a USB Hard disk | DotNETwizard.net on June 15, 2009 @ 3:28 pm
- Pingback by DV9000 Won't read Boot up disks. - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net on August 6, 2009 @ 12:39 pm
- Pingback by Flash drive install problems - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net on August 6, 2009 @ 12:42 pm
- Pingback by 7 Ultimate on Netbook - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net on August 9, 2009 @ 7:37 am
- Pingback by Samsung NC10 w/ Windows 7 « Bobkous’ weblog aka kous.net on August 10, 2009 @ 12:20 am
- Pingback by PLEASE help. How to get 7 on a usb and boot from it? - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net on August 17, 2009 @ 4:25 am
- Pingback by Win XP Install from a flash drive. I need help. - Page 2 - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net on August 21, 2009 @ 2:27 am
- Pingback by how to install win7/vista without DVD drive? - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net on August 21, 2009 @ 4:54 am
- Pingback by Toshiba NB205-N311/W Windows 7 Installation, Wi-Fi and Function Key Woes « Brian Tillman on August 24, 2009 @ 1:46 am
- Pingback by How to install Windows Vista/7 from a USB flash drive | PC Memoirs on September 29, 2009 @ 5:33 pm
Comments
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
Very useful. Thanks Nam.
on December 7, 2008
thank u so much…..
i was wondering if i could copy my (restore DVD) content of my laptop that contains vista home…is it possible?
on December 10, 2008
i ment to copy the dvd in the usb drive
on December 10, 2008
I don’t think the restore DVD would works the same but sure you could try. I think Vista’s boot loader is different than others’ boot loader.
Nevertheless, you can find the UPGRADE ANYTIME DVD usually ship with new laptop or download an untouched iso of vista with sp1 and create your USB. When install, remember to choose Vista Home Premium and insert the CD key from the bottom of your laptop for activation. The real problem is the drivers. All you do prior to installation is go to laptop vendor’s site, search for your model, then download all the drivers (wifi, lan, graphic, sound etc.) and place them aside with vista installation files on the usb.
This way you will have a clean Desktop once done reinstalling without 3rd party junks. Hope that help.
on December 12, 2008
I have a doubt how do I know what disk I select because I have 2 hard drives installed an I do not want to accidentally delete something. Thanks.
on December 13, 2008
Hi Pacoloco:
To make sure you do not erase the wrong drive, in cmd, after you type diskpart, type “list disk” to see all available drives. For your case, You should see Disk 0, Disk 1, then Disk 2.
To differentiate them, you’ll have to look at the size of them. Let say I plugged in a USB (6GB), I should see this:
then do select disk (0 or 1 or 2) corresponding to your drive. I think you’re will be 2. Hope this help.
on December 14, 2008
Hi Pacoloco:
To make sure you do not erase the wrong drive, in cmd, after you type diskpart, type “list disk” to see all available drives. For your case, You should see Disk 0, Disk 1, then Disk 2.
To differentiate them, you’ll have to look at the size of them. Let say I plugged in a USB (6GB), I should see this:
http://img175.imageshack.us/my.php?image=listdiskdc7.png
Here my usb is disk 1 so I do “select disk 1″.
For you, do select disk (0 or 1 or 2) which ever corresponding to your drive. I think you’re will be 2. Hope this help.
on December 14, 2008
Pls tell me which all files to copy from Vista to USB..?
on December 21, 2008
@ POP:
I think all files.
on December 22, 2008
it failed for me @ 98% when expanding files during the install. any ideas
on December 29, 2008
I installed Windows 7 to a spare harddrive, but now i can’t seem to boot in to vista!
How do i create an option to do so? is there something like a grub menu for windows?
on December 29, 2008
@Joey:
Hey Joey,
Run msconfig by either typing it into the search bar in the start menu or in Run. Now when the window pops up, select the Boot tab. Now in the list box you should be able to see both Vista and Windows 7 as two separate options. Click on Vista and press ‘Set as default’. I had this same problem occur however with two Vistas installed. It kept booting up the one I didn’t want so all I had to do was select the one I wanted through this method. Hope this helps
on January 1, 2009
XP has Diskpart but format fs=fat32 does not exist in it.
Format from explorer instead.
on January 2, 2009
Yeah, don’t forget list disk! I wonder how many people formatted the wrong disk using this guide?
on March 1, 2009
Yes you are correct
make sure to use “list disk” (without quotes) before step 2. The above example is valid for one physical HDD only.
use that command to find the correct disk and then type
select disk X (X being the usb drive)
on March 2, 2009
Thank you so much
I have been looking for something like this for a long time
I wanted to clarify something
I have a kingmax 16gb
after i installed windows 7 now i cannot copy files to my pen at 10MB/sec
i can copy at maximum speed of 2MB/sec
i tried reformatting it to fat32 also NTFS
can any one please help me
still my pen reads at 17MB/sec
on March 9, 2009
Hahah I definatley just formatted the wrong drive.
That’s what happens when you read the comments last
on March 22, 2009
@Almand3000:
probably some issue with usb drivers and your usb stick…You may want to get the newest windows 7 perhaps
on March 22, 2009
@Nam:
You should really put that in the article. I have 3 hdds and I acidentally deleted 300Gb worth of data.
on March 31, 2009
Very usefull and easy to understand guide.
Thanks!
on March 31, 2009
Too bad it doesn’t work. The USB key isn’t bootable if you follow the instructions above.
Anyone want to take a guess how to make it bootable?
on April 26, 2009
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/howtos/how_to_install_windows_7_beta_a_usb_key
on April 28, 2009
hmmm not so sure about the part about adding the vista files will work
on April 28, 2009
I didn’t expect it to work. The article is poorly written and contains minimal detail. Why even put one up in the first place? You just wasted a bunch of people’s time.
on April 29, 2009
Updated Article
http://dotnetwizard.net/hacks/how-to-bootinstall-vista-from-a-usb-flash-drive/
on April 29, 2009
Didn’t work for me , when i tried too boot from usb it says :
insert a boot device
press CTRL+ALT+DEL
on April 30, 2009
@Victor:
see the new link
on April 30, 2009
Thanks!
on May 6, 2009
I had the problem with the “invalid partition table” on my 3e pc and manige to find an ansar
. it’s : NTFS insted of FTA32 it’s not as fast as an fat32 install but it works on my machine.
on June 3, 2009
Thanks, superb guide.
on June 12, 2009
Nice tutorial, but mine always showing “missing operating system”. I’m using diskpart utility in windows 7 and want to copy vista installer from bootable .iso (opened using powerISO) to my Kingston thumbdrive 16G. Im sure there is no prblm with ISO file, because it works well in virtual pc. Please help me, my DVD-ROM is already spoil, cant read any vista DVD..
on June 15, 2009
Windows XP has diskpart.exe utility, but it cannot be used to prepare USB for Vista. Reason is dispart under Windows XP sees only one drive and rest object (such as USB’s) as volume. There is no way to delete, clean, etc volumes like that.
I tried all options and none of them work.
on June 27, 2009
does any1 kn0w if it works
on August 22, 2009
@stelios:
Yes it should…check out the updated articles if you want more detailed info..So far the two methods below works without problems
http://dotnetwizard.net/tutorials/installing-windows-7-from-a-usb-drive-newbie-guide/
http://dotnetwizard.net/tutorials/how-to-install-windows-7-using-a-usb-hard-disk/
on August 22, 2009
dude, how’s this gonna work w/o a bootsector in the usb device? if only things were so simple…
on September 9, 2009
marking the partition as active is enough if it is a USB HDD.
on September 9, 2009
Hi i run vista 32 bit and want too make a boot usb for windows 7 64bit. do this work ?
on September 9, 2009
Yes it works for some…(I have tried it and it works for me)
Currently there are several posts on how to boot using USB in this site. Some of them are very easy to follow so do a search and select one that feels easy for you.
on September 10, 2009
Hi!
Excuse me, but i can’t copy files from dvd, to pendrive.
The error is that windows can’t write to usb bootsect.exe.mui, and ……..tff, etc.
Do you have any ideas?
on September 29, 2009
@Urbi:
Do you have readonly enabled in your pen drive? Try to copy everything to hard disk and then copy to pen.
Also make sure the dvd disk is readable(no scratches etc)
on September 29, 2009
Just did an install of Windows 7, you need to set the first hard drive to the flash drive too for it to proper functionally, at least with a 1000HE
on October 10, 2009
i have a problem…i have a 4GB USB wich i plugged into my computer and i typed in list disk, and it says there is no fixed disks show…i tryed every USB port i have on my computer and it keeps saying the same thing…can some1 help me?
;o
on October 29, 2009
Theoretically “list disk” should reveal all your disks. Just have a check if your pen drive is formatted… and also check if it has a valid file type and its clean. Some viruses make it unable to be read. And also please tell me does it show up in my computer as a USB storage device? try these things and let me know.
on October 31, 2009
Thanks. This worked great on my Lenovo S12 with a USB HD with Windows 7 ISO.
on November 3, 2009
Same article can be found on Microsoft site, so this is proper.
on November 13, 2009
Worked for me…. Thanks! Making a USB HDD and marking it “active” is the trick. The other trick is if your BIOS can boot from it. If your USB drive doesn’t show up as a hard drive option in the same BIOS list as your system hard drive, this method won’t work. Some earlier BIOS will only boot from a boot sector on USB drives and skip them if it doesn’t find it. Hence, the process stalls with the message no OS or boot device installed.
on November 18, 2009
@Nam:
Hi,
Please help !!! Here what I have done:
1.Download Windows 7 iso file,which I put it in isoBuster and extracted.
2.Coz I have listen it is better to make clean instalation,I bought new WD external HDD-Passport Studio 500 Gb and put it all information from my PC to HDD (around 90Gb very important data + windows 7 of course)!
3.I run “cmd” and get in DOS
- “diskpart”
- “list disk”
(coz there were nothing,not disk 1,2,3-i just select disk 1-don`t ask me why,coz i don`t know for myself,coz i am stupid!!!)
- select disk 1
- clean…
After i wrote “clean”,I discconect usb cable,coz I afraid-what does “clean” means!!??
For god sake-i have all informations from last 6 years on my external hard disk…
Now,my WD doesn`t work,everything is ok in “drive manager”,when i conecct usb cable there is the external usb hard drive showed up on the Safely Remove Hardware list right down,but I can not enter into the disk-inside and I am so affraid and desperate and don`t know what to do…
How you can see,I am bigginer,but please tell me what is the best solution for me to do now and to don`t lose my data on WD (if i already didn`t lost
Please,please help-with days I don`t know what to do….
My e-mail is via_makedonia yahoo dot com please write me there.
What I have tried:
coneccting my WD with 3 dieferent cables-usb and firewire in dieferent ports.
installing drivers from wd site
When I check Device Manager it shows that the device is installed and working properly but it will not show in “my computer” and I can’t access it.
before the problem,my HDD appeard as drive H:
I wouldn’t be half as frustrated if it hadn’t been working properly before this.Plus-ALL data is on my HDD,and I don`t even know if it is still there
I do it this:
2 Step Solution for XP users:
Part 1:
Go to
Control panel -> Performance and Maintenance (cannot be in classic view to see this link) -> Administrator Tools -> Services -> Universal Plug and Play
If Universal Plug and Play is set to manual switch to automatic.
Part 2
Double Click Safely Remove icon on the bottom right-> Select device->click Properties -> click Volumes -> click Populate -> hit OK -> if nothing shows it may need to be formatted
Also i was in DISK MANAGEMENT,but except formating disk,I don`t see solution
And formating will erase all data on the disk,isn`t it?! (if i have it,of course).
again nothing
Thanks in advance !!!!!!
on November 29, 2009
I’ve been trying to install Windows 7 Home Premium on my Samsung NC10. This solution wouldn’t work at first. It would either do nothing at boot time or say “Remove disks or other media. Press any key to restart”. Then I found the solution. I renamed the file BOOTMGR to NTLDR, now it works fine
on December 3, 2009
@Donnie: Please read the updated article. I have installed Win7 twice using that. Its in the bottom of this article.
on December 9, 2009
im installing windows 7 on my computer and when it gets to the part where it asks you what disk you want to put it on it dosent show anything, not even my hard drive, plz help me
on December 18, 2009
im installing windows 7 on my computer and when it gets to the part where it asks you what disk you want to put it on it dosent show anything, not even my hard drive, plz help me
on December 18, 2009
@manny:
see if your hard drive is plugged in properly(preferably first SATA port and the power cable firmly plugged in ).
>
Also try to plug it into a machine that already has an os and partition/format your HDD.
>
And last of all check the your Windows copy. Try using a DVD instead of a USB pen.
>
Finally there are several more articles written on this subject on the site. And the author of this post is currently unavailable, so please do a search and use those other methods to put windows 7 on a USB stick
on December 18, 2009
@blacknoise: yes ive done all of those its not showing when i go to create partitions
on December 19, 2009
hey i found something much useful http://cyberlifeday.blogspot.com/2009/12/botting-windowslinux-os-any.html
on December 24, 2009
NICE Tutorials mate!..Works flawlessly, i could manage to boot from USB drive!
Just follow the exact instruction.. =))
on December 30, 2009
I got stuck at the format part. It seems that there is no format keyword in my version of diskpart (5.1.3565)…
on January 25, 2010
Unfortunately these instructions only work when running on Vista and newer operating systems. I just ran across an app that automates the process of creating a bootable Win7 flash drive, but does it under XP as well.
http://firesage.com/bootsage
on January 29, 2010