Imagine a situation where you need to install Windows Vista or 7 in a system but you don't have access to DVD drive. We all know Windows Vista, Server 2008 or 7 comes in DVDs and you'll need a DVD drive to install them. Then how will you install them? The solution is, you can create a bootable USB drive which can be used to install Windows without using DVD drive.
We have posted a detailed tutorial to create such bootable USB drive long time back, you can read about it here.
The above method is very easy to follow but wouldn't it be great if we can use a utility to do the whole task automatically? Our reader "Aris" has created a small utility exclusively for AskVG readers which creates a bootable USB drive to install Windows Vista, Server 2008 or 7.
Prerequisites:
- A USB Drive (4 GB or more)
- Windows Vista, Server 2008 or 7 ISO image or DVD
- Host OS: Windows Vista (SP1 or SP2), Server 2008 or 7
How to Use:
Once you meet the requirements, run the utility. Its a portable utility so doesn't need installation. Simply run it and check the option "I have read and accepted the following License Agreement". Now click on OK button and it'll launch the main application.
It also shows a Help window so that you can use the utility easily. The utility requires only 4 easy steps to follow:
- Check USB drive (To check whether your USB drive is attached or not)
- Format USB drive
- Choose DVD or ISO image (To copy the required files to USB drive)
- Start the process to create bootable USB drive
PS: It also works in 64-bit Windows versions.
NOTE: If you face problem while formatting the USB drive, click on "Options" button and then select "QUICK" option.
Complete list of AskVG articlesThis article was posted in Portable Apps, Software Zone, Windows 7, Windows Vista.
Related Articles
Popular Articles
- Frequently Asked Problems with Solutions
- Is Your System Infected with a Virus / Spyware / Adware / Trojan?
- Transform Windows Vista into 7 without using Customization pack
- Transform Windows XP into 7 without using Customization pack
- Transform Windows XP into Vista without using Customization pack
- All About Resource Hacker in a brief Tutorial
- Master Tutorial to Make Your Windows 7 Super Fast
- Master Tutorial to Make Your Windows Vista Super Fast
- Master Tutorial to Make Your Windows XP Super Fast
- All Kinds of Restrictions for Windows XP, Vista and 7
VG
^^ Please check the Copyright Policy:
http://www.askvg.com/terms/
Jonnybl@ze
I didn't use this utility but used VG's usb boot tutorial and found some helpful info for those of you that had problems. 1. Make sure you can boot to your usb drive. The first usb flash drive I used did not work. I wasted a couple of hours messing with it then put in my car strereo with an mp3 on it and it would not play on that either. The second flash card I used, worked without a flaw, on the first try. 2. If you want to do it manually, copy and paste the boot file from the dvd or iso and paste it to the root of C drive. For some reason, when I change directories D (dvd drive) in command prompt, it changes for a second and then switches right back to C. It also works with external usb hdd's. Both 2.5" bus powered and 3.5" self powered external drives. Don't forget to change the boot order in your bios or push button (for me F12) for boot selection. I put a 3 gb partition with the boot files then copied and pasted Windows 7, Vista, and 2008 files onto the remaining partition. Then you can copy and paste which ever version you want to load into the 3 gb bootable partition. Be sure that the boot partition is first.
Thanks VG for the great info.
Cheap
The application doesn't support USBs that are below 4GB in size. What a joke.
AussieMatt
when I try to Open ISO, it takes a long time until it comes up with, "You have to overide build number operate this ISO.",,, whats that mean and how to fix it?
AussieMatt
To last post, was using a Windows Server 2008 ISO, didn't like it.
Now using Windows 7 64bit and it works.
Maybe check Usability with non standard ISO's, from places else where to Microsoft.
Please update to let other ISO's work, as I think this is everyone's problem?
mark roed
will it works installing games also?
mark roed
can it we use to install via xp?
Wes
Is there a way to use this form an operating Windows 7 computer without either a DVD or an ISO image. My laptop shipped with Windows 7 but has no DVD.
HJas
What about bootable USB when your system doesn't support booting from USB? My BIOS doesn't support it (mobo P4PE from 2002!) Can you make a bootable floppy or CD that will support starting the installation from USB?
Archita
I have been looking for so long and at last............