Print
Insert the Windows 7 install DVD into your drive, and view the files that it contains. Copy all of the files here to a folder on your Desktop. We put the disc contents in a folder named “Windows 7”
Go back to your command prompt, running it as an Administrator. Using the “CD” command, find your way to the folder where you extracted the ISO files. Your command line path should look something like “C:\Users\USERNAMEHERE\Desktop\Windows 7\”.
Type the following commands:
CD Boot (This gets you into the “boot” directory)
Bootsect.exe /nt60 L: (where ‘L’ is the drive letter assigned to your USB key from the previous step)
Bootsect infuses boot manager compatible code into your USB key to make it a bootable device.
IMPORTANT: If you’re currently running 32-bit Windows Vista or 7, Bootsect will only work if you use the files from the 32-bit Windows 7 install disc. The Bootsect executable from the 64-bit version will not run in 32-bit Vista.
Copy all of the extracted ISO files into the USB drive. You don’t need to do this from the command prompt. Just drag and drop the files from the “Windows 7” folder into the drive using Windows Explorer.
Your USB key is now all ready to go! Plug it into your target system and make sure you enter the BIOS (typically with F2 or F12) to temporarily change the boot order to allow booting from the USB key before your primary hard drive or optical drive. On the next restart, your system should automatically begin speedily loading setup files off of the USB key and entering Windows 7 installation.
[Editor's Note: This article was originally posted as "How To: Install Windows 7 Beta from a USB Key!" It has been updated and reposted for the official launch of Windows 7 on Thursday.]
Comments are closed on this article
l8r0n
November 01, 2009 at 4:07pm
I didn't go through all those extra steps, I just did a quick format to NTFS.
Did the Bootsect.exe /nt60 L: from the DVD boot directory. Then copied everything from the DVD to the thumb drive and all works just fine.
Mayhemm
November 01, 2009 at 2:17am
I was just wondering if you have to use the command line to format the drive.
Is there any reason you can't just use "right-click->format"?
I'm doing it your way (just to be safe), but the other way would be much easier to remember.
terranitup
December 02, 2009 at 5:34pm
I suppose that FAT32 file system has some conflict, and thats why your suggestion of Right Click> Format would not function correctly. I wish I knew about this method to format in NTFS, because I get stuck moving files larger than 4 GB, and would span them across multiple .rar archives to put onto a USB jump drive. FAT32 won't allow any files to be individually larger than 4 GB, but NTFS adresses this issue and allows the larger files to be saved on the USB jump drive. Now I know, thank you MaxPC! Bravo! I'm installing on my netbook atm.
bdraper
October 28, 2009 at 7:14pm
Ok, so this whole procedure is really cool, and it's just about working. When I boot from my usb drive, I get to the windows installer. The problem is that after I click on "Install Windows" I get an error after a few moments. The dialog box says "A required cd/dvd device driver is missing." I then get the option to browse for it. The driver is installed and the drive works fine on my system now (Windows 7 Home Premium - I'm trying to upgrade to Professional). Does this mean there's no cd/dvd drive device driver anywhere in the installation files? Am I getting this message because I'm doing it through a usb drive instead of a dvd?
Any suggestions would be appreciated. It's frustrating being so close and then having this dinky issue.
rameshtpn
December 19, 2009 at 2:24pm
I wasted one full day trying to install form dvd.. both 32 bit as well as 64 bit wont install.. giving error messages.. finally i figured out the smoothest way to install
make sure that you unplug all the periphral devices like cd rom, dvd rom, any add on cards...
before you start installing from USB dr.
then
1) download iso recorder and install from
http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm
2) pop in the DVD in the dvd drive, right click on dvd and click image from dvd and save it on desktop.
3) dounload windows 7 usb/dvd download tool from http://store.microsoft.com/Help/ISO-Tool
as you install the same , it will also get microsoft installer 3.1 if its not in your system.. also .net framework 2
after installation plug a 4 gb USB drive into usb port double click on usb dvd download tool.. it will ask for the iso location.. which is the desktop and the usb dr. once thats done, the tool will format the usb drive and then load the installation files into USB dr.. for details refer
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/10/26/windows-7-usbdvd-download-tool-creates-and-makes-bootable-dvd-disc-or-usb-flashhard-drive-from-iso-image/
after 100 % is completed, reboot the system, go to bios and set usb drive as 1st boot system.device and tart installation
the installation should get completed in about 45 - 50 minutes..
and it will be a smooth installation
markus.randel
November 03, 2009 at 12:25pm
I've been wrestling with Windows 7 installs since the Beta came out. I'm not sure if it's the original download or my burner, but I've had several instances where image isn't quite right. It will show up during the install as an error saying drivers are missing or it just can't continue. Of course this only comes AFTER your system disk has been swiped and your left with a loud paperweight. As a result, I've always made sure to have another functioning PC on hand to work from. I got abandoned at work once with a bad install disc and couldn't complete the install. Had to go home, download a fresh ISO image from MSDN and make another go at it. The next day, Windows 7 went in smoothly.
jeffknouse
October 24, 2009 at 3:33pm
My HP laptop has Windows 7 installed from the factory. If I have to use the recovery disk, can it be loaded onto a flash/usb drive? Or will I have to get a usb external cd/dvd drive?
billy66bare
October 22, 2009 at 10:53pm
You made this so the tired "not so guru" could understand it!
I registered just to say thanks!!
arch20002013
October 21, 2009 at 10:59pm
Is this really needed? I installed it from the disk and though it was very fast compared to Vista and XP
rainpebble
January 14, 2010 at 8:41pm
If you had read the first paragraph of the article, you would have read why this is really needed. The whole point is "what if you want to install Windows 7 on a netbook or other computer without an optical drive?" You were lucky to have an operating DVD thus were able to use the disk. There are those out there that do not have a drive capable of using the disk.
markus.randel
November 03, 2009 at 12:27pm
" I installed it from the disk"
Not all computers have disk drives these days. Besides, if your a true geek, you NEVER do it the way it's supposed to be done. That's for the masses. We're "special" and if it means standing on our heads while installing an OS... here's to it!
dnb
December 10, 2009 at 7:13pm
but isn't this step #2
"Insert the Windows 7 install DVD into your drive..."
without a drive this WOULD take standing on your head...
rainpebble
January 14, 2010 at 8:45pm
Yes you will need a computer with an operating DVD drive to transfer the files to the jump drive. Luckily there are those that have family members or friends with computers that can be used for this purpose. There are also the geeks that have multiple machines.
mclovin
August 12, 2009 at 1:50am
Hmmm...well as mentioned below, I fixed the "access is denied" problem and bootsect appears to have run correctly.
But my Asus N10 netbook refuses to recognize either my Kingston thumbstick or my WD external harddrive as a bootable device. Neither will show up in the BIOS, the only option is "removable device," which it skips right through and starts booting off the internal drive.
Bummer, guess I'll need an optical drive...
mclovin
August 12, 2009 at 1:43am
Jeez I wish Norm had been clearer about running cmd.exe as an Administrator. I left clicked it instead of the two ways he suggested to run the file, and then spent an hour trying to figure out why I was getting "access is denied" errors. I figured being logged onto Windows 7 as an admin account was enough...it's not.
Vking
July 08, 2009 at 4:59am
There is a more elegant way to do this:
1) Download the UltraISO trial
2) Start UltraISO as administrator
3) "Burn" the iso image to the USB stick
Thats it !
COMMENT:
Using the command prompt dosnt work with XP, since it cant recognice the USB key as a disk.
I made a bootbale Windows 7 USB stick running Windows XP SP3, and with the UltraISO trial.
Mayhemm
December 25, 2009 at 1:41am
Nice! I never would have thought to use UltraISO because it couldn't do this in past versions. It should be noted that you need at least version 9.3 for it to work on USB drives. I guess just do like you said and download the trial.
Don't know if this actually works or not (my ISO is copying as I write this), but it looks promising - and much MUCH simpler than previous methods!
I don't suppose this will work to make an USB copy of Windows XP too, would it?
Vking
July 08, 2009 at 4:51am
There is a more elegant way to do this:
1) Download the UltraISO trial
2) Start UltraISO as administrator
3) "Burn" the iso image to the USB stick
That it !
maifs
June 26, 2009 at 1:39pm
can it have any way to make it for windowsXP.
i have tried many times but in xp , it doesnt give an effect and when i try to list disk then it shows just one disk not others.
maifs
ElderJefferson
June 01, 2009 at 4:20pm
I was sailing until I got to this message:
IMPORTANT: If you’re currently running Windows Vista
32-bit, Bootsect will only work if you downloaded the 32-bit ISO for
Windows 7 Beta. The Bootsect executable from the 64-bit version of the
beta will not run in 32-bit Vista
Maybe you should have mentioned that earlier.
bresfe
May 30, 2009 at 9:53am
Hi Norm,
hope you'll be able to answer shortly as I am in the middle of the entire process and got stuck: when running the cmd.exe command list disk I cannot see my USB. Using Win explorer I can see it all right... I have a Kingston Data Traveler 2.0 USB.
please help
thanks
ultimatemini
May 21, 2009 at 2:34pm
http://ultimatemini.blogspot.com/
THIS OTHER METHOD WORKS ON XP
this gives very detailed instructions on how to do it
http://ultimatemini.blogspot.com/
homeblt
May 13, 2009 at 9:26pm
I promise...I followed the steps
a. formatted my 16GB Kingston Jump Drive
b. Ran Bootsect...rec'd the correct msg from the DOS screen
c. Copied the extracted ISO files [32 bit for my 32 bit processors]to the jump drive.
d. Configured my BIOS on my MicroCenter dual proc 3.2...to boot from the jump drive [it even saw it as a Kingston device]booted...
Rec'd this msg: Pen Drive Without Operating System. Remove Pen Drive and reboot.
Sigh.
zeringue
May 06, 2009 at 5:44am
I added the quick option to the format command. who wants to wait for a long format to finish.
Thank you for the article.
tracker1
April 18, 2009 at 3:28pm
I have to agree with the above comment, 7-zip (free/opensource) is way better than WinRAR for the most part... also a former winrar user.
--
Michael J. Ryan - tracker1.info
Woofa
March 02, 2009 at 2:08pm
Download both 32 and 64 bit and use the bootsect from the 32 bit image to infuse the boot manager onto your USB flash drive but copy the 64 bit image contents. The bootsectors created are identical so you can infuse the boot manager from the 32 bit version in your 32 bit environment but copy the 64 bit image contents to then install the 64 bit version. Of course at this time you'll have to either already have those images or get them from somewhere else as MS isn't offering them for download anymore but they do still provide keys.
JAMES SINR
January 25, 2009 at 2:52pm
IS WRONG.... THERE IS NO SPACE AFTER BOOTSECT.EXE....
I HAD TO GOOGLE TO COMAPRE IT AND I GOT THIS SITE....
http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-install-windows-7vista-from-usb-drive-detailed-100-working-guide/
THIS WAS THE CORRECT ONE:
7. Type another command given below to update the USB drive with BOOTMGR compatible code.
BOOTSECT.EXE/NT60 H:
NOT TIS LIKE ABOVE:
Bootsect.exe /nt60 L: (where ‘L’ is the drive letter assigned to your USB key from the previous step)
THERES AN ACCIDENTAL SPACE ABOVE YOUR COMMAND... JUST TO POINT THAT MISTAKE... I TRIED YOUR WAY AND I GOT BOOTMGR FAILED...
Woofa
February 27, 2009 at 12:04am
Simply put any option/argument following an executable is always meant to have a space between the executable and the option/argument following it. If you encountered an error it isn't because the instructions are wrong. Check bootsect.exe /help and look at the proper syntax, bootsect {/help|/nt60|/nt52} {SYS|ALL|<DriveLetter>:} [/force] [/mbr]. Somewhere along the way whether there was a space after the executable and before the argument it was changed to allow either to work. You must have typo'd or something else created the issue because his syntax was correct but both work. BTW, why all the caps?
JAMES SINR
May 06, 2009 at 3:35pm
HAHA IDK WHY IT DIND'T WORK WITH ME.... THEN AGAIN WHEN I DID IT I WAS USING VISTA HOME PREMIUM 64-BIT SO IDK... BUT I TRIPLE CHECKED IT AND IT WAS NO TYPO... :|
AS FOR THE CAPS, WELL I WAS RAISED WRITING IN CAPS IN MY FAMILY, SO THATS WHY I TYPE IN CAPS, ITS NOT CAUSE IM ANTISOCIAL LOL. ;)
DewMe
April 05, 2010 at 11:12am
I was born naked, but I've since learned how to wear clothes.
It's time to grow up and take the time to learn the caps lock. Take some responsiblity and stop blaming your family.
rochambeaux
January 20, 2009 at 12:01am
I've tried this process to install Win 7 on my new system (which has Vista 64 alrady insatlled), based on gigabyte ep45-ud3p.
My boot options are USB-HDD, USB-FDD, USB-ZIP and USB-CDROM.
I've tried them all as the primary boot device and the bios never sees the USB drive to start the install.
Is there another setting in the bios I'm missing or will this work only if there is no OS installed?
Woofa
March 02, 2009 at 2:37pm
Most likely after selecting that you also will need to select it at boot time to boot first or it will boot from your currently bootin primary drive.
Curtai
January 19, 2009 at 1:16pm
Hey its says you need a 4GB pen drive on the instructions and the pic is 8 and everything else... lol just thought i would bring that up...
nekollx
January 19, 2009 at 1:21pm
it also says in the articla while a 4 gb will work they used a 8GB
Romer
January 17, 2009 at 4:26pm
Thanks a bunch Norman, this is great! Not that I don't have spare blank DVDs around but this is much more fun =)
ceegee
January 15, 2009 at 1:45pm
32bit win 7 will not install to usb, install proceedure will not let you continue if you try to install to usb drive
thefuzz4
January 15, 2009 at 9:23am
I really wish that someone would just come out with a wonderful little program like uNetBootn that allows you to take any Linux ISO and make a thumb drive bootable. I have seen many guides on how to do it with XP but man is it just complicated and ugly. At least MS finally got something right here. I hate burning things to disks now a days. If I can't stick it on a thumb drive it's just about useless to me.
crc32
January 21, 2009 at 10:15pm
I just did it in xp, using the hp usb boot tool. It works fine. It may be hard to find but do a search for SP27213.exe or http://www.marlow.dk/tech/src/SP27213.exe
sjankis630
February 10, 2009 at 4:02pm
Interesting,
I too am still on Windows XP. But the question is does this HP utility you mention work to make SD flash drives bootable? I have a 16GB SD flash drive but no sizable USB drive at the moment.
TheMurph
January 15, 2009 at 9:18am
Where are you measuring install times from? The minute you begin physically burning the ISO / USB key, or the actuall installation itself? And are you saving 20 minutes, or minutes?
I only ask, as the installation of Windows 7 itself from a CD takes about... 25 minutes. If you're really cutting 20 minutes out of that process, that's crazy. :D
norman
January 15, 2009 at 10:13am
the time included physically burning the disc, but i measured it on a relatively old laptop with a slower optical drive. i actually removed the specific time savings from the body text and forgot to edit it from the front page, since i realized that the time savings will vary depending on your hardware. -- Norm
nekollx
January 15, 2009 at 11:21am
Hey Norm, quick question: once you have a 7th Thumb does it only work on the pc you set up on or any PC you plug into?
