Format Flash Drive To Boot and Install Windows

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  1. Posts : 708
    Windows 7 Pro
       #1

    Format Flash Drive To Boot and Install Windows


    I have been told it is possible to create a Flash Drive that I can boot on computer start and install Windows OS. I have done some research but have not found specific instructions on the procedures as to how to do t his.

    I know there are certain requirements:
    1. The flash drive has to formatted a certain way.
    2. The Bios has to be set to be able to boot from USB.

    What I want the flash drive to do is:
    1. Boot from computer Startup.
    2. Format the partition where Windows will be installed.
    3. Install Windows
    4. Have the Product Code on the flash drive so that Windows will be activated after install.

    I am sure that other things I want it to do, but off hand these are the primary ones.

    Any help would be greatly appreciated.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 6,741
    W7 Pro x64 SP1 | W10 Pro IP x64 | W8.1 Pro x64 VM | Linux Mint VM
       #2

    Creat Windows 7 Bootable USB. Follow Part 2 to create a bootable USB as opposed to a bootable DVD. I'd advise writing the product key down as you'll have to manually input it before you reach a Windows desktop environment. You will more than likely have to set your BIOS to boot from the USB stick.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 708
    Windows 7 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks Boozad

    That gives me a great place to start
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 6,741
    W7 Pro x64 SP1 | W10 Pro IP x64 | W8.1 Pro x64 VM | Linux Mint VM
       #4

    You're welcome mate, let us know how you go and if you need any more help. You shouldn't do, the USB Download Tool is pretty straight forward. Follow Clean Install Windows 7 for your installation instructions.
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  5. Posts : 4,466
    Windows 10 Education 64 bit
       #5

    You can put a PID.txt file in the sources folder to enter the product code automatically. Replace the xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx with your product code.

    [PID]
    Value=xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 6,741
    W7 Pro x64 SP1 | W10 Pro IP x64 | W8.1 Pro x64 VM | Linux Mint VM
       #6

    Every day's a school day. Thanks for that great piece of info.
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  7. Posts : 4,466
    Windows 10 Education 64 bit
       #7

    You can do a lot of stuff with an auto answer file, if you can figure it all out. Step-by-Step: Basic Windows 7 Deployment for IT Professionals I've looked at this a couple of times but it just confuses the hell out of me and gives me a headache. My PC's have a quick boot menu that lets me select a boot device for that one time boot. on the next boot up it goes back to the BIOS default. It's handy for starting the install from the thumb drive. On the first reboot it goes back to the hard drive and the Windows install continues.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 4,466
    Windows 10 Education 64 bit
       #8

    Boozad said:
    Every day's a school day. Thanks for that great piece of info.
    No problem. I make custom install thumb drives for each of my PC's. To keep my product codes straight and save time I use the PID.txt file. I also add the custom OEM info for the system page etc. I'd like to take it one step further with an auto answer file but all the tutorials on that just confuse me.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 6,741
    W7 Pro x64 SP1 | W10 Pro IP x64 | W8.1 Pro x64 VM | Linux Mint VM
       #9

    alphanumeric said:
    I make custom install thumb drives for each of my PC's. To keep my product codes straight and save time I use the PID.txt file. I also add the custom OEM info for the system page etc.
    That's a great idea. Time to get three dedicated USB drives I think.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 1,045
    Win8/8.1,Win7-U64, Vista U64, uncounted Linux distor's
       #10

    Using a tool like nLite combined with a USB install stick you can make many variations of Windows to suit your needs.
      My Computer


 
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