Install windows7/Vista from USB/Flash drive

How To: Install Windows 7/Vista From your USB/Flash Drive

     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.

Minimum h/w and s/w Requirements:

1)USB Flash Drive (Minimum 4GB)

2)Windows 7 or Vista installation files. (Or *.iso file)

Steps to make bootable USB drive:

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.

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

•       You need to know about the USB drive a little bit.

Type in the following commands in the command prompt:

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

 2)   Next type LIST DISK command and note down the Disk number (ex: Disk 1) of your USB flash drive.

 3)  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 highlighted 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.

4) 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).

5) Maximize the minimized Command Prompt in the 3rd 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.

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

BOOTSECT.EXE/NT60 H:

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

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

8) 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.e First Boot device option)

Note: If you are not able to boot after following this guide means you haven’t set the BIOS priority to USB.