USB Pen Drive Multiple OS Install?


  1. Posts : 7
    Windows 8
       #1

    USB Pen Drive Multiple OS Install?


    Hi,

    Is it possible using a large USB pen drive to create a bootable pen stick to allow the install of various Windows install ISO files?

    e.g Windows xp, Windows 7, Windows 8?

    I have some custom ISOs so I'm looking to be able to also be able to do this without the need for the ISO files to need to conform to the ones MS provide.

    Thank you!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 3,487
    Win 7 Pro x64/Win 10 Pro x64 dual boot
       #2

    I don't think so, no. The reason is that when you boot from the pen drive, the computer goes directly into the ISO files of whatever version of ISO you have loaded on the drive. Also, I believe that the ISO is unpacked on the drive by the installation tool used to prep it.

    In short, making a second copy of Windows on the drive will overwrite the first one, and I know of no way to select between versions of Windows from a bootable pen drive, even if it would work.

    Smarter members may have a solution, but I can't think of one.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 7
    Windows 8
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Hi,

    Reason I asked is because I've seen around the net that partitioning a USB stick is possible. Now if this is effective under a non windows environment I'm not sure.
    XBOOT does something like this but it requires windows ISOs that are from MS. And ones I tried failed to work.
    Also there was various issues with the software to do with Grub4Dos.

    So I'm looking for a more universal way to do it that I'm hoping that others are already using.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 562
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #4

    Hi

    One single stick to install multiple Windows editions is harder to create - but not impossible. There is actually a project called "Easy2Boot" which is specially designed for this particular purpose.

    Easy2Boot


    One positive thing about is that it is still actively being developed and known to be working on most systems.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 4,776
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #5

    Okay so perhaps read this information on how to do it. You have to use the ei.cfg removal utility.

    How To Make Windows 7 Universal AIO -

    I'm pretty sure that there's a tutiorial or post here on seven forums on it. I'll try to find it.

    Edit: How about this?

    creating a 2 OS thumb drive

    EDIT: Forget that. You said multiple versions of Windows (not multiple versions of Windows 7)
    Last edited by Callender; 12 Apr 2015 at 12:33. Reason: add info
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:23.
Find Us