How to install Windows 7 from USB drive

We have already published an article regarding running Windows 7 from a pen drive using Virtual Box. That guide is useful if you want to make yourself free from need of dual boot. Now here is another scenario what if you don’t have DVD-ROM and you are runningWindows XP. Here is small guide on how to install windows 7 from USB flash drive or USB pen Drive for Windows XP users.

The requirements for this purpose are as follows:

• Pen drive with a size of at least 4 GB
• Windows 7 ISO image
• Any image mounting application like UltraISO

How To:

• Download and Extract MBRwiz, a free utility to make bootable USB drive.
• Connect your USB Flash Drive to your computer and Format the USB drive.
• Now go to Start Menu->run->cmd (Open Command Prompt) and Type following command :- convert i: /fs:ntfs (Where “I” is your USB drive latter)
• Mount Windows 7 iso as drive using your image mounting application.
• Open the command prompt and navigate to the directory where you have extracted MBRwiz software and run the following commands.

mbrwiz /list (note down disk number of your USB Pen drive)

mbrwiz /disk=X /active=X (X is Disk Number of your USB Drive)

exit

• Now open another command window and type following command

J: (Drive letter of Windows 7 iso mounted with image mounting tool)

CD boot

bootsect /nt60 Y: (Y is drive latter of your USB drive )

• Now copy all files from drive where you have mount Windows 7 iso to the USB drive.
• Now you are ready to go for the installation.

Another method existing is using UNetbootin, a tool for creating bootable pen drive  any operating system out there. This is the easiest way and you will have it done with two clicks.

Insert the USB drive, run UNetbootin, and select Disk Image as ISO. Browse your local drive for Windows 7 ISO that you downloaded and click Open. Now Select Type as USB and choose the drive. Once done, it will look like a bit similar to the screenshot shown here. Click OK and it will begin extracting all installation files to the USB drive. The whole process will take some time(10-15 minutes), so have patience.

Note: If UNetbootin doesn’t work, try out the Microsoft’s official tool called Windows 7 USB/DVD Tool.

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