Make a usb with an iso file on it bootable

[errolgreer]

I have a Wndows 7 Pro ISO file on a usb. I need to install Win7 on an old laptop. How do I make this USB bootable?

Please help!

 

[Snick]

Hi errolgreer,

You cannot copy and paste an ISO file to DVD or USB as it will not boot.
I use RUFUS to burn the ISO to USB
Rufus - The Official Website (Download, New Releases)
Video Bootable USB windows 7 Rufus | Create win7 Bootable USB ...

For a DVD, I use ImgBurn
The Official ImgBurn Website
ImgBurn: Burn ISO Images to DVD - YouTube

Snick

 

[Megahertz07]

You don't need Rufus and it's quite easy to do it.

- Open a CMD window as administrator and type:
diskpart
list disk (it will list all drives. Identify the USB drive number)
select disk n (replace n by the USB drive number obtained with list disk)
clean
convert mbr
create part primary
select part 1
format fs=fat32 quick
assign
active
exit (to exit diskpart)

Now extract all files and folders from the iso file to the root of the USB drive. On Win 7 use 7zip

It will boot and install as Legacy - MBR
To boot and install as UEFI - GPT (64 bits only) you need to add Boot folder (attached) under EFI

Boot folder

 

[Bree]

You cannot copy and paste an ISO file to ... USB as it will not boot...

You can now if you use Ventoy.

Ventoy

This is a remarkably useful Open Source tool that allows you to copy multiple ISOs to your usb and boots to a menu where you choose which one to mount and boot from.


I have a dozen ISOs on my USB including Windows instal media, Macrium recovery disk and Linux Mint Live.


I can boot any of them from just this one USB.


.

 

[Snick]

Bree

Thank you for the information! There are also other similar tools. OP didn't specifically ask about multi-boot programs, among others, & the one you specifically indicated. I'll have to give it a trial run for educational purposes.

The below list has been around for a while, I don't particularly like SARDU, my personal preference. YUMI works for a large number of Linux Distros.

1. SARDU MultiBoot USB and DVD Creator
2. MultiBootUSB
3. MultiSystem
4. YUMI (Your Universal MultiBoot Installer)
5. WinSetupFromUSB

The below link has descriptions of each.

5 Apps to Create MultiBoot USB - Linux and Windows ISOs ...

Snick

 

[billmcct]

I will also give Ventoy a big thumbs up. Installs to a hidden partition, updates don't touch the data partition.
Gets updated often.
Release Ventoy 1.0.25 release . ventoy/Ventoy . GitHub

 

[Snick]

billmcct

I agree with you! Thanks again Bree!

 

[billmcct]

If you elect to Watch "Releases" on the GitHub page, you'll get an email when a new release comes out.