Microsoft has released Windows 7 with some advanced feature and a great appearance. All computer users are very much enthusiastic to check out the new OS by Microsoft. Now Windows 7 ISO files are available on the Internet. The ISO file is larger than 2 GB. Also read Install Windows XP from Usb Flash Drive.
Update: Create multiboot USB drive to install both Windows XP and Windows 7.
But if you do not have DVD drive in your PC then a problem you would face while installing it in your computer. In this scenario the Usb drive plays an effective roll. You can install Windows 7 from your USB flash drive/disk. There are various way to install the Windows 7 from Usb drive (also read about windows 7 system repair disc). But here I’m going to discuss about the installation process of Windows 7 from the Usb flash drive without any software.
One thing let me say that if you are applying this tutorial through Windows XP i.e if you are using the command prompt in XP then it won’t work as the “list disk” command does not shows the Usb disk in the disk list. So use windows Vista or Windows 7 to apply this tutorial. Once you have made ready your Usb flash drive for installing Windows 7 from it then follow the next steps.
What you need to have
1. The Windows 7 ISO file.
Note: You can download Windows 7 from web or copy it from the Windows 7 installation DVD. In the second case you have to copy the content in your USB drive from the computer which can read DVD.
2. A Usb flash disk/drive with a memory greater than 3 GB.
At first you have to make your Usb drive ready for installation.
The process
- Insert the Usb stick in the appropriate port.
- Run cmd.exe by typing “cmd” in the Run command in your windows start menu.
- In the command prompt type the following commands:
1. diskpart
2. select disk 1 ( be careful* )
3. clean
4. create partition primary
5. select partition 1
6. active
7. format fs=ntfs ( you can also format in fat32 or fat )
8. assign
9. exit
* Note: The set of commands assume that the Usb drive is addressed as “disk 1”. So double check that by doing a list by the command “list disk” before cleaning it.Now your Usb flash drive is ready to use for installation.
Copy the content of the Windows 7 installation DVD. In case of ISO file just extract the ISO file in your Usb flash drive/disk. After completion of copying you can boot computer from the Usb flash drive ( Change the boot option in your BIOS setup. Make the Usb hard disk as the first boot option ).
If any type of problem arises, please write down your problems in the comment section.
Great tutorial man. Thanks for your effort. But what about something more advanced, e.g. multiboot USB drive with Win7, WinXP and some Linux distros without any application, only from command line. Doesn’t matter whether linux or windows command line. Could you prepare some tutorial also for this? I guess it’s a sufficient challange ;)
@Dream183: Yes, it’s challenging. Definitely write about this if I find any solution. Thanks for the head up.
I have an idea with separate partition for Win7, one partition for WinXP and one partition for Linux distros. But I’m missing some advanced knowledges about windows boot parameters to get it running with grub and/or isolinux. Maybe this could be the way to make it working from linux command line.
I’m thinking about how to get it together from windows command line but I’m worry about the linux distros loading from within the windows boot manager or another boot manager w/o any other application.
@Dream 183: Great. You can always share your ideas with me. If not publicly, contact at my mail address: tanmay@techtipsgeek.com
For All Who Gonna Try This Tutorial..
Please Run All Those Commands In Windows 7 Or Vista :)
It Will Not Work In Windows Xp :P
Windows XP Will Not Show The Flash Drive When U Hit The ” List Disk” In Diskpart utility :P
Try This Link & Download That mkboot.exe & Follow The Instruction, It Works in XP : )
http://www.bahamassecurity.com/software/utilities/mkboot.asp
[ N-Joii ]
Hi my Name is Dante iam from bangldesh and i like ur web site u guys are awsom and i will work to read ur
Hello,
Thank you for the tutorial. I tried wintoflash and didn’t work. I did all steps and now will try the bootup.
I actualy wanted to ask you why do I have to do this diskpart part. Doesen’t work if I just format the drive with windows expoler thingie and copy the files from the dvd?
@Andrei: Actually a USB device is not bootable by default and a PC needs to reconize the device as bootable first to get into the installation process. That is why the Diskpart part is must. Otherwise Windows won’t be able to detect your device as boot device.
Feel free to ask any question. Thanks.
says “bootmgr missing” to me
You forgot the important command: BOOTSECT.EXE /NT60
visit http://www.davieslim.com/guides/install-windows-7-vista-from-usb-pen-drive-bootable/ to see more details.
I triec this process but after selecting the install now it shows me( A required CD/DVD drive device driver is missing. If you have a driver floppy disk, CD, DVD, or USB flash drive, please insert it now) massage please help me an tell me what to do
Wow! Dats educating. Tanmay. plz can I hav ur contact?
1 more easy way to install windows 7 from usb by using tool provided by microsoft
http://server-wh.blogspot.in/2012/05/how-to-install-windows-7-from-usb.html
I’ve followed this method but aftr changing the priority to boot USB frst, a black screen appears and USB is not being booted even if I wait fr a long time
I love mr.tutorial. Please can i format my system with windows 7. What are the procedures.pls. Tanx
thanx.
usb boot is working properly in win7 installed laptop…but not working in xp installed pc,,please say something for the problem
an error is showing setup initialization failed when tried on pc…but working fine on laptop
Best way to install windows7 is through ultraiso, just open Win-7
iso image in ultraiso, from bootable tab select “write disk image”
in next screen select your usb drive and finally click write.
It is 100% working.
I have installed Windows 7 from my USB by using the steps you have mentioned above.
Hey I’m using this method on a new computer I just built, but I have a problem.
When I boot up the new computer, the windows install starts but stops soon after and says I’m missing the required drivers. I’m assuming it needs something to recognize the USB stick? But I can’t seem to find a driver anywhere as everyone just says, “just plug it in and it will work.”
But actually since the install is starting, it is already using the flash drive right??
I don’t have a cd/dvd rom drive. Could it be hard drive?
Hi there,
I tried this steps on my PC(USB drive 8 GB, RAM 2GB, Motherboard Intel)but the installation get stuck at the point after windows icon that we usually see after the files get copied.
On one instance I could reach the language selection option but after selecting the language to english and hitting the Ok tab/key it didn’t proceed further.
What could be the issue and what else can be done ?
where i found the iso file in windows7 dvd?
Thanks for valuable effort for this. One more thing i ask from you, Can you please guide how to create universal windows 7 in one boots i.e. window 7 Home Basic, Ultimate,pro,business all in one.
Hope this topic you will list in your next challenge.
Thanks again
Usaid
@Usaid: Well, you’ve pointed a good question. We’ll definitely work on that.