How do you create a USB boot drive

the disk is definately xp, I just don't know what it does with xp!!! have uploaded a pic, hope u can help! Will my usb from previous post work, is it worth a try or will it install xp, I only want it to boot it!

Earlier you said you don't have a windows disk, now you've uploaded these shiny pics. What do you really want to do? If you want to install win7 from the flash drive or just want a bootable flash drive, follow the links given by other members earlier. If you want to install XP from the flash drive, follow the article I linked.

I want to create a bootable flash drive that won't install the os, just boot it. That disc is very old and came with a computer bought about 5 years ago. I want to do this with win7 but am going to try it with xp first. I only want to create bootable flash drives, not ones that install the software - that is really important. Also, I just wasn't certain that was the right disc for xp booting. I don't have any discs for win7, that is certain, however, am trying to find one!!!

You mean you want to install win7 ON the flash drive? Or do you mean you just want a simple flash drive that can be booted from but doesn't have a win7 installer? if the former, forget it, not a very good idea. If latter, follow option 2 in this tut, just stop before extracting the win7 iso to it (i.e. stop at step 18).

You have confused me!!! I want to create a usb that I can plug in, change the boot sequence in the bios and run windows from it. I do not want to install windows from it!!!

Music Guy123 said:

You have confused me!!! I want to create a usb that I can plug in, change the boot sequence in the bios and run windows from it. I do not want to install windows from it!!!

Lol, its mutual. You mean you want to have windows running from the flash drive, right?

Pretty much, I need to know how to do that. Firstly, what is that disc for, secondly, which of the methods should I use???

MS works hard to keep their OS off of USB drives or else people could carry it around in their pocket with major activation problems everywhere they plug it in.

The only way you can install to USB drive is if it is eSATA or cabled via SATA or IDE:

Others will dispute but to date they all admit that after great effort to workaround an install, it runs as slow as molasses. Haven't heard yet if this is the case with USB3.

How would you plan to activate the installation? And if you move it how does it hold activation since the hardware changes? It is viewed as a very sketchy proposition that should not have the attention of legitimate installers.

These threads have become less frequent, however, so I wonder how long it will take nowadays for claims it can be done. Let's watch.

I don't really know, I just wanted to put an operating system on a usb, just wondered if it was possible? You have seen what I have got I just want to create something like another hard drive that will basically just hold the os. Anyway of doing that???