Format Flash Drive To Boot and Install Windows

[huffman]

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.

 

[Boozad]

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.

 

[huffman]

Thanks Boozad

That gives me a great place to start

 

[Boozad]

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.

 

[alphanumeric]

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

 

[Boozad]

Every day's a school day. Thanks for that great piece of info.

 

[alphanumeric]

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.

 

[alphanumeric]

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.

 

[Boozad]

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.

 

[madcratebuilder]

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

 

[alphanumeric]

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.

lol, last count I had 24+ thumb drives on the go for various things. Windows installs, drivers, office installs, Dart, MDoP, Recovery, the list goes on. I can't seem to resist buying them, especially when their on sale.

 

[alphanumeric]

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

Does nLite work on Windows 7? It looks like its for XP? Looking at that site the version for Windows 7 & 8 is still in development.

 

[Boozad]

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.

lol, last count I had 24+ thumb drives on the go for various things. Windows installs, drivers, office installs, Dart, MDoP, Recovery, the list goes on. I can't seem to resist buying them, especially when their on sale.

OK, make that twenty then. :shock:

 

[huffman]

I have one more question or two.

How do I make the PID txt file?
Where do I put the PID txt file ?
Will the PID txt file let me activate the OS while installing the OS?

 

[alphanumeric]

I have one more question or two.

How do I make the PID txt file?
Where do I put the PID txt file ?
Will the PID txt file let me activate the OS while installing the OS?

Just make a text file and call it PID.txt. The text file will look like this.

[PID]
Value=xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx

Replace the xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx with your product code.
You put it in the sources folder of your install media.
Windows will read it during setup and enter the product code automatically from the file. Once setup is done and you connect to the Internet Windows will activate online automatically.

 

[lehnerus2000]

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

Does nLite work on Windows 7? It looks like its for XP? Looking at that site the version for Windows 7 & 8 is still in development.

Not unless there is a new version.
The version I have only works for XP + SPs.

You are supposed to be able to add all of the other updates as well.
I've never been able to successfully add anything other than:

• The SPs
• An AHCI driver

Every time I've tried adding extra updates, the OS has refused to install properly.

I've tried "RT Se7en Lite" (W7 ISO Maker) but I've never been able to successfully create a working install disc.

 

[alphanumeric]

OK, thanks, that's what I thought.