Multi Bootable USB window 7, xp, etc?

[NetCritic]

I've been searching online for a while now with little luck on how to make a multibootable usb flashdrive with OS on it.

For example, i want to install windows 7 x64 on a computer, so i use my flashdrive.
Then i need to fix an old computer with windows xp, so i want to be able to install that off the same flashdrive.
And then another computer needs re-installation of windows vista...

So what im getting at is, is it possible to make a Bootable USB that has Win7, WinVista, and WinXp, or some other combination of OS, on the same flashdrive to boot on different computers/pc.

I used this tutorial not to long ago: How To make Bootable USB

and i was wondering if i make three partitions, one for each OS, will it work? Because i know that Win7 has to have it's own partition....

Need geek help.... Sorry if this is an outdated question.

 

[Maguscreed]

Possibly work for vista and win 7 as the bootmgr functions the same, I would think xp would actually be the difficult one to add.
The problem is you need to stick a bootloader on there and it's not something I've ever personally done. It should theoretically be possible though you'd also have to find a way to partition a usb drive.
...also unfamiliar with doing that... it's just never come up.

 

[NetCritic]

if you look at the link, it shows you how to make partitions... i think you can make more that one... and each one might be able to hold a different OS

 

[Maguscreed]

like I said it's all theoretically possible. I'm just not sure how much help your going to find on the subject as it's not exactly a common question.

I would start looking for usb bootloaders, one of them will have to be able to launch the way you want. Or even create a simple 1,2,3 type menu.

 

[NetCritic]

So it possible?

Thanks...

That's what i wanted to know... ill experiment...

 

[gregrocker]

I use Universal USB Installer to write Win7 all-versions ISO to my tools flash stick.

Once the folders are extracted into the root, I sweep them into a folder. Then I extract the other bit version of Win7 into another folder.

I then extract Vista 32- and 64-bit all-version installers into their folders on stick.

When I need to install one I spill it into the root of stick and it boots. I can add other tools and apps to the stick.

However because Vista and Win7 use nt60 bootsecting (which is applied by the Universal installer) XP cannot be booted from the same stick. I keep it's ISO's in a folder to burn to disk, or carry the disk when needed.

 

[NetCritic]

Ok awesome, I'm working on it right now...

I have a new question though, to burn iso's to a usb that don't need to be booted can i use the same steps as these, or will that not work?

For instance, if i had a program ISO, and stuck that on a flashdrive, then have another ISO that i want to put on it to not have to use another device, can i put it on the same flashdrive as the first program without having to format it?

 

[gregrocker]

You can write an ISO to flash stick so that it will boot to install using the program I linked before.

If there is room on the same stick you can add as many other files as you want including ISO's as long as when you are ready to boot the stick with the original ISO written to it to boot, it's extracted folders are in the root of the stick.

On my tools stick I keep Win7 32- and 64-bit in a folder along with many other tools and ISO's, until I need to install either bit-version. Then I spill it's extracted folders from the folder out into the root of the stick so that it will boot.

Is that clear or does it raise more questions? Fire away.