Install Windows 7 with a 4 GB USB Thumb Drive or SD chip

[billp117]

This worked perfect with Windows 7:

If you have Windows Vista or newer, then I still prefer the diskpart utility to make it bootable. This will erase the drive though. Follow these commands exactly:

Start>Run> cmd (or on Windows 7 enter CMD into the start>search box)
diskpart
list disk
select disk <n> (whichever corresponds to your usb from above)
clean
create partition primary
active
format quick fs=fat32
assign
exit

Takes like 30 seconds.

Then copy the Windows 7 DVD to the USB drive. Select all the files and directories with “copy paste” or “send to”. You can load Windows 7 without the need for a DVD drive or Ultrabase DVD. I copied the 64 bit onto a USB drive and the 32 bit onto an SD card using a USB adapter. No need to carry around the DVD. Now I have Windows 7 on my keychain with an 8 GB PNY drive I bought at Staples for $14. It is small and folds up into almost nothing.

I don't take credit for this information since I found it on a Dell forum for Netbooks. On your ThinkPad you can hit the F-12 key while booting to get the boot order to select the USB drive as your boot device. I have tested it on two laptops and it works fine.

Good luck...billp117

[ausmike]

Hi Bill,
I read this same kinda thing(s) else-where > but AM curious as to WHY COPY WHOLE DVD on to the USB drive?

I also read somewhere that MS itself has a similiar process that IT SAYS will only put "minium' needed file on USB DRIVE to load Win7".

I still remember years ago as a Support Tech to Service & Maintain several 000's of POS/workstations/Desktops - I used to have a 'linux', OSX on USB(read-only) Drives and WinXpro on CD. This would give me option to reboot items that were messed up by users. Also was very handy in the early days of 'virus' infected items - workstations/pc/POS equipments could be brought back to FACTORY defaults. Ah ... those were the days! lol !

When Win7 was in BETA - i remember writing in MSDN few notes of the need for such (USB Bootable Distro) from MS itself. (( nope didnt get on tv as I invented that - as I i dont think it was MY Orgional IDEA !! lol ))

Later I read that the Boot-Process (you wrote about) was/is kinda 'copyright' material that MS had decided to call its "own" invention

Bill; The process you posted here is nice ; but still think you can make that 'data' size on USB a 'smaller footprint' with the THE NEEDED FILES for bootup for a SPECIFIC LAPTOP (assumed you will only use that usb drive to boot a specific laptop ONLY) The only reason you would put ALL THE CONTENTS of Win7 DVD is to be able to boot ANY PC.

This also brings up another point (info for people who didnt know this) - EVERY (retails version) WINDOWS DVD has ALL VERSIONS of 'windows' files - This is true for X32 or X64 'Retail DVDs' ONLY - thus the ANYTIME UPGRADE process possible!

......when I find the relative links I will come back and post it here - sorry in process of getting flightsback from Volcano smoked Europe!

[billp117]

Hi Ausmike:

My goal was to keep it simple. Following these instructions works and provides everything that the DVD would offer. Including other tricks is cool but not really necessary. Remember the KISS principle.

As to copyrights...there should be no issues. You are not selling or distributing the product...you are just formatting your USB device and moving your Windows 7 installation programs to that drive. There should be no violation...but then I am not an attorney. You do need to be the owner of the validation code.

Thanks for your input. File this under "handy things to know".

[ausmike]

Giday Bill;
> still of the view > having to boot from USB drive = lots faster than booting from CD/Dvd ; and most of us travellin vagabonds dont even have those fancy gagets like Dvds/Cds in laptops......

btw> Here is a link (written by a felow aussie) that might be of INTREST for you... re this topic

I am sure you would note the comment " about MS bring in foul of GPL Lisc etc"
http://windows7center.com/news/microsof ... -yourself/
Fyi>- saying you 'ddintknow' does not make you INNOCENT of 'copyright' laws...blah blah. I almost always use 'links' to avoid being in foul of someones 'copyright' & or forum rulesetc etc....

juz me $0.02 worth.....
Cheers mate

[BillMorrow]

btw> Here is a link (written by a felow aussie) that might be of INTREST for you... re this topic

where is the link..?

[ausmike]

bugga ,,,,, forgot uncle Bill is on the ball
http://windows7center.com/news/microsof ... -yourself/

hope this works now ...

[BillMorrow]

uncle Bill

..??!!
please, just bill..
(my wife has other things she calls me, which i will not divulge here)

thanks for the links..

this would have saved me buying a DVD USB CD for a thinkpad without a CD drive..

[billp117]

And the author concluded:

"Warning: This procedure will allow you to install a copy of Windows 7 that you are not licenced to have. Therefore you need to be very careful to only select a version that you have a licence key for as you will not be able activate Windows without a key that exactly matches the version you have installed"

Most any Windows installation disk can potentially allow you to install a copy of Windows...that is what it is intended to do. The point is you must have a vaild license key to activate.

Also note the link you referenced did not make a bootable Thumb Drive. If there is something substantially wrong or inappropriate with my original post then it is up to the reader to make that choice.

As for me...the suggested steps do work, are simple, and help solve installing Windows 7 without a DVD. IMHO there is no license violation. Perhaps a MS attorney could debate that creating a bootable thumb drive could violate a MS license agreement. I doubt it would stand up in court.

Thanks for your interesting comments and interest.

[ausmike]

yips ,,, am sure NO FAIR and HONEST minded person would DARE RIP OFF MS !!

Plus ,,, the solution of "WINDOWS ON USB STICK" which MS themselve released on their Website = now taken down 'due to GPL&Copyright issues ....

in short Stealing dont pay in long run ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, so yip my USB Drive (that lenovo has USB3.0) boot times via USB drives is niceeeee......working nicely when I want to boot different laptops with Win7 x64....

**FYI i still havent gotten a WRITTEN ANSWER from MS-Australia ....re the COA if I install on a USB drive - ie where do i stick the COA sticker or how to do that on a tiny 64gb drive

Good luck Bill ,,,,,, still [censored] brrrr ...cold in Churchill; Canada at the moment! (BHP mines site) amazin place!!