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

 

[Brink]

OK - FINALLY, it worked! I'm not sure if it was the AV disabling that did it because I waited a litle longer after it appeared to lock up and it finally finished. It was hung at 180MB left to copy for about 15 minutes and then it Finished. Before, I had waited for what I thought was 15 minutes, but I might have gotten eager.

When I copied the 6GB folder, it finished immediately when it counted down to zero, so I don't really understand the 15 minute delay on this.

Anyway, it worked and I thank you very much for sticking with me. I guess my age is catching up with me and I no longer have the patience or concentration to accomplish some of the tasks I take on.

Thanks again.

Dond13

That's great news Dond. I'm happy to hear that you got it to work.

I find the desktop is best to use when working with items.

Did you use the lower "PART 2" section in the tutorial exactly to create the bootable USB from?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31541-windows-7-usb-dvd-download-tool.html

If you continue to get an error, then you may need to download a new copy of the ISO files.

May I make a stating the bleeding obvious comment here please Brink maybe the stick was ?faulty? - corrupted, a lemon etc?

Yep, it crossed our minds.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...allation-key-drive-create-27.html#post2057395

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Just a quick query Shawn I remember doing this for a Vista machine I had a while ago and it went real good using the sticker activation code of the original install.

This 7 one will this do the same? as I am trying to help out a younger SF member who has 7 on an old board and I am sending him a much better (recycled) board that will take better RAM and CPU I have also sent him and was wondering if this ISO from my machine will be able to be activated on that new (old) board? I don't know what was on this new board originally but it was too good to trash and will suit this young bloke to a tee.

John

 

[Brink]

No problem John.

If he currently has a OEM Windows 7, then he will not be able to activate it on the new motherboard since a OEM key is permanently tied to the computer and motherboard that it was first activated on, and cannot be activated on any other.

If he currently has a retail Windows 7, then he will have not issues activating with your ISO.

I hope it will work for him.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Thanks Shawn I'll let him know

 

[Brink]

You're welcome. Please let us know how it went.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Ah look young blokes behind the eight ball so I have packed him off my spare 7 64bit Home Pre OEM with the board, RAM and cooler as I can't start my build yet and I can get another one.

Everyone needs a break now and then eh??

 

[Brink]

Agreed. Well done.

 

[maccaquacker]

I have done this step by step and yet when i boot it goes to the HDD no matter what I do. I have set the USB as a higher priority and have also tried selecting it manually (which returns no errors but instead boots to the hard disk)

 

[Golden]

Hi,

Can you post a screen capture image of the folders/files/contents of the USB drive so I can check it for you?

Regards,
Folden

 

[maccaquacker]

Sure

 

[Golden]

That looks fine - what motherboard are you using?

 

[maccaquacker]

as a side note i am going to first create a dual boot 7 system to test something out that I am working on, the setup file appears to run from inside windows 7 ok, the problem is that you cant use the disk manager unless its booting. If i use Disk Management to create a partition for my new install and then select that in the setup I will be able to create a dual boot system

ultimately though i need to be able to clean install it

...this is on a netbook, hence why the usb is needed

 

[maccaquacker]

i am currently experimenting with this on a rubbish 2008 ADVENT laptop, the motherboard identifies as DIXONSXP

 

[Golden]

Mmmm. I'm guessing it does support booting from a USB then, as per your description of the BIOS parameters? Can you install the ISO to a different USB to check that the first isn't faulty?

 

[maccaquacker]

the first is pretty new plus all my other USB's are 2GB and my usb HDDs are in use for backup

 

[Britton30]

Try these steps to fully clean the USB flash drive using Clean All.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk-clean-clean-all-diskpart-command.html
Note step 11 afterwards to create a partition on the flash drive. Now try to create a bootable key drive again.

I had a new one which didn't work until I did these steps.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Try these steps to fully clean the USB flash drive using Clean All.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk-clean-clean-all-diskpart-command.html
Note step 11 afterwards to create a partition on the flash drive. Now try to create a bootable key drive again.

I had a new one which didn't work until I did these steps.

Hum what U was thinking too Gary perhaps even that wipe with the mini tool Partition Wizard.

Macca are you in the UK because you mentioned DixonsXP now I am only guessing but if it is the UK group then they are manufacturing their own brand. Have a look at this Dixonsxp Adevent 9107 Lan drivers : Advent Desktop PC Computer Help • Advent Support but again I am only guessing.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hiyya Shawn well I didn't know that about the format when using UEFI - thanks cos I would have gone in NTFS boots and all as usual. Plus I didn't have a clue re the Secure Boot either

 

[Brink]

Hey John,

Ray (theog) brought that to my attention. I'm hoping to have an UEFI mobo by Friday sometime to start playing with to get better familiar with it all myself.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hey John,

Ray (theog) brought that to my attention. I'm hoping to have an UEFI mobo by Friday sometime to start playing with to get better familiar with it all myself.

Woo hoo Shawn it's fun down in the loony tune park

Just joking but it is different mate