USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create

How to Create a Bootable Windows 7 Installation USB Flash Drive​

   Information

This will show you how to create a USB flash key drive that you can boot from to install Windows 7 with.

   Tip

If the USB flash drive is of sufficient capacity, say 8GB, then after copying the Windows 7 installation DVD onto it, you can create a new folder (ex: Device Drivers) in the USB key and place all of your latest driver installation files in it. This way you will have them handy to manually install the drivers after installing Windows 7 from the USB key.

   Note

If you booted from the USB drive to install Windows 7, then you may need to change the hard drive back to being listed before the USB key in the boot order in BIOS after the computer restarts during installation to prevent the computer from booting right back into the USB key starting the installation process over and over.

   Warning

• The USB key needs to be at least 4 GB in size.
• This will delete everything on the USB key. Be sure to save anything that you do not want to lose on it somewhere else.
• Before installing Windows 7 from the USB key, you will need to:
  • Enable Legacy USB storage detect in the BIOS.
• When ready to install Windows 7 from the USB key:
  • Connect the USB key.
  • Restart the computer, and keep tapping the F key (see screenshot below) responsible to open the Boot Menu screen for the brand and model of your motherboard or computer until it does.
    • 
      
  • Select the USB key to boot from.
  • Start installing Windows 7.

CONTENTS:

• Option One: Use "Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool" to Create Bootable Windows 7 Installation USB
• Option Two: Use "Rufus" to Create Bootable Windows 7 Installation USB
• Option Three: Manually Create Bootable Windows 7 Installation USB Flash Drive

OPTION ONE

Use "Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool" to Create Bootable Windows 7 Installation USB

   Tip

If you do not have a Windows 7 ISO file, then you can either download the latest ISO version at the links below.

:ar: Microsoft Software Recovery

:ar: Microsoft: Windows 7 Direct Download Links

You could also use a free program like ImgBurn or ISODisk to create a ISO from your Windows 7 installation DVD.

1. For how, see the Part 2 section here: Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool.

OPTION TWO

Use "Rufus" to Create Bootable Windows 7 Installation USB

1. Download the latest version of Rufus at the link below, and save it's .exe file to your desktop.
:ar: Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way

   Note

This is a standalone exe file that doesn't install anything to your PC.

For Rufus FAQs, see: https://github.com/pbatard/rufus/wiki/FAQ

2. Connect your USB flash drive if you have not already.

3. Run the rufus_v###.exe file, and click/tap on Yes if prompted by UAC.
NOTE: ### = latest version number.

4. Set Rufus with the settings below: (see screenshot below step 5)

• [Under Device, select the USB flash drive you want to format and use.
• Under Format Options, check Create a bootable disk using, click/tap on the browse icon to navigate to and select your 64-bit Windows 7 ISO file.
• Under Partition scheme and target system type, select MBR partition scheme for BIOS or UEFI computers.
• Under File system, select NTFS.
• Under Cluster size, select the (Default) (ex: 16 kilobytes or 4096 bytes) it has listed.
• Under Format Options, check Quick format.
• Under Format Options, check Create extended label and icon files.
• Under New volume label, you can enter any name you like for the USB flash drive, or leave the default name.

5. When ready, click/tap on Start. (see screenshot below)

6. Click/tap on OK to confirm. (see screenshot below)

7. Rufus will now start creating the bootable UEFI USB flash drive. (see screenshot below)

8. When Rufus is "DONE", you can close Rufus. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: It could take a little while to finish.

9. You are now ready to installWindows 7 with your bootable USB flash drive.

OPTION THREE

Manually Create Bootable Windows 7 Installation USB Flash Drive

   Warning

Using this method:

• You will only be able to create a 64-bit Windows 7 bootable USB flash drive if your current Windows 7 installation is also 64-bit.
• You will be able to create a 32-bit Windows 7 bootable USB flash drive if your current Windows 7 installation is 32-bit or 64-bit.

64-bit installation + 64-bit ISO = 64-bit flash drive
64-bit installation + 32-bit ISO = 32-bit flash drive
32-bit installation + 32-bit ISO = 32-bit flash drive
32-bit installation + 64-bit ISO = unable to create

1. Plug the USB key in.

2. If AutoPlay opens a pop-up for the USB key, then just close it.
NOTE: Make note of what the drive size is for the USB key for use in step 6 below. You can also open Computer (step 19) to see what the drive size is to. For example, mine is 3920 MB. (See screenshot below)

3. Open an elevated command prompt.

4. In the elevated command prompt, type diskpart and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

5. In the elevated command prompt, type list disk and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: Make note of what disk # your USB key is listed as to use in step 6 below. You can also look for the drive size (step 2) of the USB key to help ID the disk number. For example, mine is listed as Disk 1 here for the 3920 MB disk.

6. In the elevated command prompt, type select disk # (your USB disk #) and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: For example, my USB key is listed as Disk 1, so I would type select disk 1 and press Enter.

7. In the elevated command prompt, type clean and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

8. In the elevated command prompt, type create partition primary and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

9. In the elevated command prompt, type select partition 1 and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

10. In the elevated command prompt, type active and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

11. In the elevated command prompt, type in the command below to format the USB as NTFS or FAT32, and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: This may take a few moments to finish formatting the USB key.

   Note

You can substitute Windows 7 within quotes in the commands below with whatever name (drive label) you would like to have displayed for the USB drive instead.

See also: Choosing between NTFS, FAT, and FAT32



FAT32 volume labels

• If you have an UEFI instead of BIOS motherboard, then you will need to use FAT32 and not NTFS.
• Volume labels can contain as many as 11 characters and can include spaces but no tabs.
• Volume labels cannot contain the following characters: ? / \ | . , ; : + = [ ] < > "
• Volume labels are stored as uppercase regardless of whether they contain lowercase letters.

NTFS volume labels

• Volume labels can contain as many as 32 characters.

format fs=ntfs label="Windows 7" quick

OR

format fs=fat32 label="Windows 7" quick


12. If AutoPlay opens a pop-up for the USB key, then just close it.

13. In the elevated command prompt, type assign and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: This will assign a new drive letter to the USB key. Make note of the new USB drive letter to use in step 22 below. For example, mine is now H.

14. If AutoPlay opens a pop-up for the USB key, then just close it.

15. In the elevated command prompt, type exit and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: This will exit you from DiskPart from step 4.

16. Close the elevated command prompt.

17. Insert your Windows 7 installation DVD into the DVD drive.

18. If AutoPlay opens a pop-up for the Windows 7 installation DVD, then just close it.

19. Open the Start Menu, right click on the Computer button, and click on Open.

20. Right click on the DVD drive (ex: E: ) that has the Windows 7 installation DVD in it, and click on Open. (See screenshot below)

21. Highlight all of the contents, right click on the highlighted contents, and click on Copy. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You will need to copy all of the files and folders on the Windows 7 installation DVD to the USB key.

22. Go back to Computer, right click on the USB key drive (ex: H ), and click on Paste. (See screenshot below)

23. The contents of the Windows 7 installation DVD will now start copying over to the USB key. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: This may take a few moments to complete.

24. When finished, you can close the Computer window and unplug the USB key.

25. You now have a Windows 7 Installation USB key.

   Warning

If you have UEFI instead of BIOS motherboard, then you will need to temporarily disable Secure Boot to use the USB to install Windows. After installation is complete, you can enable Secure Boot again.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc
• How to Do an Upgrade Installation with Windows 7
• How to Do a Clean Installation with Windows 7
• How to Do a Repair Install to Fix Windows 7
• How to Install Windows 7 FAST without a DVD or USB Device
• How to Setup Windows 7 to Boot from a VHD (Virtual Hard Disk)
• How to Create a Windows 7 VHD at Boot to Start with from Boot
• How to Create a Bootable ISO from an Older ISO
• How to Do a Custom Installation of Windows 7
• How to Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version
• How to Get and Use the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool
• How to Make a MS-DOS Bootable Flash Drive
• How to Create a Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc
• How to Install Windows 7 from USB Pen Drive Using Grub4Dos
• How to Slipstream Windows 7 SP1 and Updates to Create a Bootable USB, Installation DVD, or ISO File
• How to Install Windows 7 Using "Unified Extensible Firmware Interface" (UEFI)
• How to Create a Bootable UEFI USB Flash Drive for Installing Windows 7 and Windows 8

 

[jraju]

Hi, will try.
sub question: what shoud one choose, when the dvd blank is inserted and a two options dialog opens? What is the difference from cd dvd or usb.
Does that mean if you check usb, then all could be used to delete and copy as in pendrive.
This is a problem only with win 7 and more recent version. Whatever we select, it auto changes to udf format, which again poses problem when reading with xp machines , earlier versions.

 

[jraju]

Hi, I tried your suggestion, i could not copy that file to my desktop. It reads the same error. What that means, the dvd is having problem or the drive itself? Please

 

[Brink]

It means that the DVD is corrupted or damaged (smudge or scratch). You will need a new source.

 

[Windymiller]

I am having a problem downloading Rufus. When I first tried from the Rufus site, I got into a loop where Rufus kept installing.
I eventually tried again using the link from this site and everything appeared to be going well until after the message 2/5 has been completed. After that I got a repeat warning that all data on the USB device will be destroyed, clicked ok and it started off again. But 2 hours later when I went back the green light indicator was full green but nothing appeared to be happening. Eventually I clicked on Close though it did not say DONE. Can I check if the USB has all the correct info without ruining the transfer, or do you think I should just try again ?

Or did I not wait long enough - there was no indication anything was happening.

 

[Brink]

When Rufus has "Done" at the bottom, it has finished creating the bootable USB.

You could test booting from the USB to confirm if it works.

 

[Windymiller]

Thanks Brink. I am very cautiously working my way through gregrocker`s resume for clean reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. Making a copy of the .iso is the first stage as you know. I am nervous of opening the USB because I don`t want it to start booting before I have been through the intervening stages recommended by gregrocker. If I run into trouble at the "Install the Win 7 ISO) I`ll either come back here or on to gregrocker`s site.

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome.

I hope it goes smoothly for you. You'll be able to close "Windows Setup" after booting from the USB to cancel without doing anything yet.

 

[Windymiller]

Thanks. I`ll post if I have any problems. Otherwise assume ok. I can always make another copy of course.

 

[jraju]

Hi, Thanks brink once again,

I will try with another source.
Can i copy the contents of install dvd to the computer folder and then try the copy from computer. This i ask , is because, when you copy from dvd to computer, will there be any change in change of file size of bytes. i noticed somewhere, the size actual and the size it occupies in the computer are shown as different.

 

[Brink]

You can, but you said it gave you an error when you already tried though.

 

[jraju]

Hi, Thanks for jet speed reply,
But why it shows two size of storage ? Do you know? I am trying to recover the contents thro recovery tools if possible

 

[jraju]

Hi, Brink, I value your replies and you are the savior most of the time.
Please, also say, about those two options if you insert a blank dvd or cd in win 7 machine. It asks you to select one option. What is the difference between the two? Which should one prefer.
The options notes are too confusing, hence i asked you.
Did the first option of usb: means you could just copy and delete paste as in pendrive
I am totally confused to get this prompt, which was not in xp model

 

[Brink]

I'm not sure what you mean by inserting a blank CD/DVD. You would want to use a USB flash drive to do this tutorial with.

It would be best to have a Windows 7 Ultimate ISO file to use to create the bootable USB with.

Which specific steps in which option do you need clarified more?

 

[jraju]

Hi, Those are sub questions, which i have informed in my posts.
I tried your tutorial on another source, i could get the data back to the computer and then followed your tutotial and it was success. To test that , i used plpbt.iso, as i have older system, to test boot from usb. I do not have usb in my bios. Thanks for all the tips.
But one thing, the starting windows bar is somewhat slow before getting to install windows screen. What would be the reason. Is it because of the port of usb, i.e., port version. Or is that something other than that. Normally, the bar moves fast to get in to install windows.
One more query: is the select partition 1 command necessary , after creating primary partition command. in the usb.
Thank you once again.
The general questions have been asked as the show of dialog box, in xp and windows 7, when you put your blank cd or dvd confused me. hope to get replies

 

[Brink]

jraju,

If you have USB 2.0 instead of USB 3.0, then it would load slower from the USB like that.

Yes, you would want to use select partition 1 in step 9 of Option Three to make sure the correct partition is made active in step 10.

 

[jraju]

Hi, Thank you very much.

That command select partition 1 in 9th Step, thus make the entire pendrive as active. Is that correct? Please tell , what would be the result, if it is not made active. Pendrive supposed to be active when inserted. Is it not? Pendrive is a storage device, so, your command makes the entire pendrive partition as active. Please
How to know , that my usb is having 2.0 or 3.0. i do not find any mention in the device manager usb ports.
is there any software, that would show, the version of our ports, if those are connected?
Thanking you,

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi
An active device is more likely to show up on the boot menu than one that is not marked as active
It is more likely to prompt to press any key to continue to boot to it automatically too as Rufus adds that feature it the device

 

[Tonyblu]

RE: Manually Create Bootable Windows 7 Installation USB Flash Drive

Hi
Option 2 worked for me, using RUFUS and IMGBURN.
I had copied and pasted the Win7 Installation files on my ext HDD, but after it whole process, I now have a bootable Win 7 USB drive.

Thanks.

 

[Brink]

I'm glad it could help Tony.

 

[ItSteven]

Good Day,
Hi, Sir. Brink actually I'm new here. I'm really happy that I joined seven forums now I can fixed my issue w/ my laptop but sad to say I still dont get everything. I'm sorry but I was able to create a bootable USB 8Gig with the option 2 then I copied the boot folder from other computer which runs windows 7 then I tried open my laptop but still receiving the error "BOOTMGR is missing". I don't have an option to f8 because my laptop is totally messed up with the VIRUS, HOMEGROUP, MALWARE, FAKE ADOBE, INTEL, MS OFFICE, REMOTE, ETC. I'm trying to resolve this for months and do a research. My BIOS is also messed up does have a BOOT option/menu. Please help me guys and sorry for my bad english.