How to Install Windows 7 From a USB Drive

Installing Windows from a USB flash drive has several advantages – First of all, the overall speed of the installation process will increase significantly, carrying a USB stick is much more convenient than a DVD, and finally it becomes possible to install the OS even on those systems that do not have a DVD drive, such as a net-book.

Tools Required:

1. USB flash drive with a minimum capacity of 4 GB.

2. Windows 7 set-up DVD.

3. Windows 7/Vista

Step-1: Plug-in your USB flash drive.

NOTE: In the command prompt, type in the following yellow command: 

Step-2: Open run and type DISKPART

Step-3:  LIST DISK

This will show you a list of  available disks on your system. Disk 0 is usually the hard disk. Disk 1 is the USB drive (this can be a different one in your case).

Step-3:  SELECT DISK 1

NOTE:  1 is the USB drive number on my system. If you have a different number on your system, then you need to replace 1 with that number.

Step-3: CLEAN

Step-3: CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY

Step-4: SELECT PARTITION 1

Step-5: ACTIVE

Step-6: FORMAT FS=NTFS QUICK

Step-7:  ASSIGN

Step-8:  EXIT

Step-9: Open command prompt as administrator 

 NOTE: Insert the Windows 7/Vista installation disc and note down the “drive letter” of your DVD drive. In my case, it is “E:”.Now type the following commands

Step-10:   E:
(NOTE: E: is your DVD drive letter)

Step-11:  cd boot 

Step-12: BOOTSECT.EXE /NT60 H:

(NOTE: H: is your USB drive letter)

Step-13:  EXIT

Step-14:  Copy the contents of your Windows 7/Vista installation disk into the USB flash drive.

That’s it! Your USB pen-drive  is now ready

Don’t forget to enable the “USB Boot” option and change the “boot priority to USB device from hard disk” in your BIOS settings.

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