How To: Install Windows 7/Vista From USB Drive [Detailed 100% Working Guide]
Posted January 11, 2009 – 3:58 pm in: Live DVD/USB, Vista Tweaks, Windows 7, Windows 7 Tweaks
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This guide works 100% for Vista & Windows 7 unlike most of the guides out there. I have seen many sites/blogs that have “Install Vista from USB guide” but either with incomplete steps or not working guide. I have also seen some guides that don’t’ use proper commands in this guide. After spending many hours I have come up with this 100% working guide.
I just did this method on one of my friends machine and installed the new Windows 7 BETA. The main advantage is that by using USB drive you will be able to install Windows 7/Vista in just 15 minutes. You can also use this bootable USB drive on friend’s computer who doesn’t have a DVD optical drive.
The method is very simple and you can use without any hassles. Needless to say that your motherboard should support USB Boot feature to make use of the bootable USB drive.
Requirements:
*USB Flash Drive (Minimum 4GB)
*Windows 7 or Vista installation files.
Follow the below steps to create bootable Windows 7/Vista USB drive using which you can install Windows 7/Vista easily.
1. Plug-in your USB flash drive to USB port and move all the contents from USB drive to a safe location on your system.
2. Open Command Prompt with admin rights. Use any of the below methods to open Command Prompt with admin rights.
*Type cmd in Start menu search box and hit Ctrl+ Shift+ Enter.
Or
*Go to Start menu > All programs > Accessories, right click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
3. You need to know about the USB drive a little bit. Type in the following commands in the command prompt:
First type DISKPART and hit enter to see the below message.
Next type LIST DISK command and note down the Disk number (ex: Disk 1) of your USB flash drive. In the below screenshot my Flash Drive Disk no is Disk 1.
4. Next type all the below commands one by one. Here I assume that your disk drive no is “Disk 1”.If you have Disk 2 as your USB flash drive then use Disk 2.Refer the above step to confirm it.
So below are the commands you need to type and execute one by one:
SELECT DISK 1
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
SELECT PARTITION 1
ACTIVE
FORMAT FS=NTFS
(Format process may take few seconds)
ASSIGN
EXIT
Don’t close the command prompt as we need to execute one more command at the next step. Just minimize it.
5. Next insert your Windows7/Vista DVD into the optical drive and check the drive letter of the DVD drive. In this guide I will assume that your DVD drive letter is “D” and USB drive letter is “H” (open my computer to know about it).
6. Maximize the minimized Command Prompt in the 4th step.Type the following command now:
D: CD BOOT and hit enter.Where “D” is your DVD drive letter.
CD BOOT and hit enter to see the below message.
7. Type another command given below to update the USB drive with BOOTMGR compatible code.
BOOTSECT.EXE /NT60 H:
Where “H” is your USB drive letter. Once you enter the above command you will see the below message.
8. Copy your Windows 7/Vista DVD contents to the USB flash drive.
9. Your USB drive is ready to boot and install Windows 7/Vista. Only thing you need to change the boot priority at the BIOS to USB from the HDD or CD ROM drive. I won’t explain it as it’s just the matter the changing the boot priority or enabling the USB boot option in the BIOS.
Note: If you are not able to boot after following this guide means you haven’t set the BIOS priority to USB. If you got any problem in following this guide feel free to ask questions by leaving comment.
Update: If you find this guide difficult to follow, please use the easy-to-use guide to create a bootable USB to install Windows 7 using official tool.
Tags: Bootable USB, Install Vista/Windows 7 from USB, Install Windows 7, Instlal Vista, USB
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424 Comments
Hey thanks! I’d love to try this soon
I hope it’s working
I don’t think XP shows usb drives in list disk, or maybe it’s just me. Is there any other alternative to step 4?
^ That’s why I have mentioned only Vista & Windows 7.
Works 100% on Vista & Windows 7..Thanks.
This is cool…Hope it will work the same way with an external HDD….
Keep up the good work bro…
i am also trying to do this from xp, and it doesnt work, im not sure if step 4 needs to be done in comand prompt (i formatted the stick in disk manager) but i got stuck on step 7 because there is no such thing as bootsect.exe
When I run bootsect.exe it says that this version isn’t compatible with my version of windows even though it is running the vista version.
Please use Vista or Windows 7 as bootsect.exe is not present in XP CD.This guide only works on Windows Vista & 7
This guide doesn’t work for XP..Only for Vista and Windows 7..I have mentioned in the title of the post.
@ben
Please follow the guide step-by-step and don’t skip any step.
THANK YOU! I was having problems getting the boot sector to work…
and you fixed it. Definitely better than any other guide… SCREEN SHOTS = TEHWIN!, they help sooo much when you can’t see what you’ve done wrong, even picked up a few new cmd tricks.
I’m a fan, thanks man.
Hey man your methods does not working in XP. Please reinform us.
I was doing fine up until step 5. I figured the whole point of booting from a USB drive was to avoid having to burn a disc with the Windows 7 files on it, or install on a PC without a DVD drive. Anyway, I don’t have any blank DVD’s, so I was trying to install it from my USB drive, but I can’t get past step 5, since I don’t have my Windows 7 files on a disc. They are on my hard drive, and my USB drive. Help!
Got it working in the second attempt.good guide.
OK nevermind I just had to optimise the drive for performance… Sorry about that!
Thanks…very excellent guide…
any working method for xp usb drive installation? Tried many…but non of them working
Does it also mean that we can install windows 7 on a usb drive?
This worked an absolute treat. Nice write-up.
I did it on an XP box using Windows 7 mounted onto a virtual DVD drive.
I had to do the format using the windows tools as wasn’t available as part of diskpart in XP.
All the rest worked as described.
i just formated my usb pen, and done show all files on the DVD and copied the contents over.
i didnt use the diskpart tools.installed w2in 7 fine
Leechie!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR INSTRUCTIONS FOR XP!!!! Wow, I have been searching for past two days and you explained it in 4 steps, you are AWESOME! Thank you VERY VERY VERY MUCH!!!
U can also achieve booting from a usb drive by using daemon tools. Don’t mean to dis on the author graet walkthrough by the way. Its just an alternative, and no need for any command prompt scripting.
i tried both the XP method and VISTA method. both i managed to do without any problems. but when i try to boot from the pen drive i get this error
file : \Boot\BCD
status : 0xc000000e
info : An error occurred while attempting to read the boot configurationsome help please?
Hey, I followed all the steps, and everything worked perfectly until I booted from the Usb device and tried to install windows 7. It said that “Setup does not support installation to disks connected through a USB port. Is there a way around this?
@Darin
Firstly, let me apologise for the experience you’re having.
The error means, your motherboard doesn’t support USB booting. I have also mentioned this in my guide. And there is no way to boot USB unless your motherboard support.@Vikrant
No this guide doesn’t for the users who like to install Windows 7 on USB.@Omar
If you don’t have a DVD drive/USB(4GB) then use my guide “Installing Windows 7 without using USB/DVD drive”. There are two methods, direct and via VPC method. Please follow my guides.@All
I am glad that this guide helped you to install Windows 7.Thanks.
i downloaded windows 7 from microsoft and dont have a cd/dvd for it so what do i do do i extract it to the usb then restart using the flash drive or what?
@Joey
If you don’t have a DVD/USB then use my below guide which shows “Installing Windows 7 without using USB/DVD drive”
http://www.intowindows.com/installing-windows-7-without-using-dvdusb-drive-method-2/
http://www.intowindows.com/installing-windows-7-without-using-dvdusb-drive-method-1/
Hello i can’t see my usb stick with diskpart.
all i can see, is my 4 HDD’s on my computer.
What can i do in this case?
When I try step 7, I get: “The system cannot execute the specified program”
Bootsect.exe problem!
I think that there is a problem occurs when you want to install “64 Bit Windows 7″ from your 32 Bit Vista.
Here is the message after typing BOOTSECT.EXE /NT60 H:
“This version of F:boot\bootsect.exe is not compatible with the version of Windows you’re running. Check your computer’s system information to see whether you need a X86 (32-Bit) or X64(64-Bit) version of the program, and then contact the software publisher. “
What if I want to create a x64 boot in a x86 environment? I get this error message. “This version of g:\boot\bootsect.exe is not compatible with the version of Windows you’re running. Check your system information yada yada contact software publisher.” I am running Vista 32-bit, trying to create this USB boot thingaby for Windows 7 64-bit.
Thanks mate.
When I tried to boot from usb it will not even get finished copying the files when it gives me an error code. It sometimes will start installing updates. But what is with this damn error code. I,m waiting on it to do it again……..Expanding files (0%)……….
Windows cannot install required files. Make sure all files required for installation are available, and restart the installation. Error code: 0x8007045D
I would be very grateful for anyone’s help.
Hey tweakwindows i think we need to make use of xcopy command havent tried it for xp did u try it out /?
I have followed all instructions.
I tried the flash drive one of my main machines and it works. However, on my test rig, I only get a Missing Operating System message. Boot priorities are set to USB Boot.What could be wrong?
My USB becomes Bootable, however when it is installing it gets stuck at 8% and then nothing happens??? I’ve tried many times and it doesn’t seem to work, it always gets stuck at 5% or 8%. Sometimes it errors out with the error code: 0x800703ee
Can the USB-stick after having Windows7 installed, be used to get in the complete recovery enviroment as well?
Works like a charm, thanks
First of all, sorry for the delay in reply.
@ PeterNLD
Of course, you can use as a replace to DVD.@ Laker_Fan32
Sorry for the delay. I think you need to copy all the files once again. Just try it.@ Siddarth
I didn’t try that method. But I have another method which works on XP as well. Will post the guide soon.@ Nick
Make sure you copy all the Windows 7 files to USB correctly.@Suavi
Basically, I haven’t tested this method on 64-bit machine. So, I can’t find a solution for you.Thank you.
Into Windows
Hi, I read d comments & got confirmed that this method works although i didn’t try it. I want to install windows xp by USB method. Can you also give a method like this for windows xp also?? I am currently running windows vista & don’t have an optical drive.
Only one minor issue if you are trying to create a W7 64-bit bootable drive on a 32 bit install of Vista. In that case you’ll have to run the bootsect command from a 32-bit W7 DVD, because the version on the 64-bit DVD will not run on a 32-bit OS.
Thank you! Absolutely brilliant – your guides have been very helpful!! It all worked just as you have so thoroughly described.
Um, couldn’t you have skipped step 5 and onwards? You just need to do the diskpart and then copy contents of the CD to your USB, at least, that’s what worked for me
Also, why are you formating to NTFS instead of FAT32?
Just wondering..
If I had Vista pre-installed when I purchased my computer —
what different steps would I take to make a bootable USB drive??
Thanks,
Bob
Thanks mate for this, very detailed and very user friendly, i tried to install Win xp on my EEEpc 1000H but for some reason it wouldnt boot unless i put the USB stick in….lol, its mad when Win 7 is much easier to setup and install than XP.
Anychance of letting me know how to dual boot with Windows 7 and Ubuntu Easy Peasy ?
Thanks mate your a star
Correct me if I’m wrong, but step 5 states that we need a DVD. I use this guide because I don’t have one. Am I right?
Great article. Worked like a charm.
Hi.
In the list disk step,I can’t see my USB drive. What’s wrong with it? (My Operating System is XP.)
Does it only work in Vista?
Thank you for your teaching.
HEY I HAVE PROBLEM IN THE LAST STEP .. MY DVD ROM IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY.I HAVE IMAGE(NRG) OF WINDOWS VISTA.I LOAD IT USING A IMAGE READER SOFTWARE (POWER ISO),WHEN I TRYING TO EXCUTE THE LAST STEP USING VIRTUAL DVD ROM THAN THE ORIGINAL DVD ROM,I GOT A EXCEPTION
“COULD NOT FIND MAP DRIVE PARTITION TO THE ASSOCIATED VOLUME DEVICE OBJECT:
ACCESS IS DENIED”
HOW CAN I SLOW IT ..?,PLS HELP ME .. SND ME MAIL ON MY MAIL ACCOUNT…
Sorry for the delay in replay.
@Man
This method works fine on Vista and Windows 7 only. I will be writing a guide for XP users in a week. Stay tuned!@Nick1
I wrote this guide to make the installation faster. In my personal experience Windows 7 took just 15 minutes to get installed from USB compared to 35 minutes DVD method. Of course, you can skip the step 5 if you can mount the image and copy the files.@Andy
Sorry, I am not planning on that. But, it should be easier if you install Linux over Windows 7.@Bob Sauve
Follow the same procedure. This method works on both Vista and Windows 7.@Tyson
Wait for few days to get a detailed guide.@Fzang
NTFS is faster than FAT.
Awesome,Think!!!
well im gonna try this from my phone. hope everything works out ok
About th LIST DISK command, I can not see my USB drive number (As you so the instruction below). so how? i see only my Hard Drive. what can i do?? pls help me!!
Hi thats an awesomely explained method! great work!
but i’m on Vista x86 and i was trying to make a usb with Vista x64 on it, but the cmd prompt gave me this error! –
“This version of X:\boot\bootsect.exe is not compatible with the version of Windows you’re running. Check your computer’s system information to see whether you need a x86 or x64 version of the program, and then contact the software publisher”
Is it that i need Vista x64 to create a USB x64!??
Pls help
Thanks Worked like a charm.
No luck from XP on my Asus 1000HE…
I used leechers method and continued from step 5.. wehen attemping to boot from USB I get “disk read error”
Hi, i tried it using my 4Gb microSD but like Darin my HP mini-note 2133 (which offers boot option through “USB generic STORAGE DEVICE”) boot manager comes with an error “the boot selection failed because a required device is inaccesible”.
I worked through all the steps as described above without any errors.
But i notice that diskpart command DETAIL DISK shows that “Bootable = No”
Si is it bootable yes or no and what might have gone wrong?
thx, btw great job this site !!
Correction, it works again !
noticed that i did not copy my w7 dvd properly
great, you made linux disappear for us, thx again tweakwindows !
Hi ive tried and tried but DISKPART wont see my usb key, can u help.
hey it is showing cannot find bootmngr press crl alt del to restart
Great guide. You need to update your requirements section to point out that these instructions only work when done on a Vista or Windows 7 platform, or specifically state they will not work on XP
Thanks for the reply. Will edit the post soon.
@ajin
I hope you have followed my steps correctly. Try to repair your bootmgr file.
Sorry, if you can’t find see your USB drive in the DISKPART command, I can’t help you. However, if you have only one hard drive, then you can use the “1″ as your USB key. But try this on your own risk.
Formatting may take few seconds ^^
It has bee taking maby 30minutes for 10percent with my 250gb drive …
56% now. thos are way loong seconds.
I have try all the step by step but on the stage command E:\boot>BOOTSECT.EXE /NT60 F:
I got this message ‘Could not map drive partition to the associated volume device objects:
Access is denied. Any idea what went wrong. Please help. Thanks.
awesome guide does exactly what it says on the tin, thanks so much i’m now installing windows 7 on all my mates comps via usb.
excellent guide. thanks very much. you saved me aged of messing with BartPe again trying to make a bookable installation drive.
thanks.
list disk DID NOT detect a 4GB or a 16GB memory stick
Let’s say I have a hdd box with 2 partitions (Y, Z), can I use your method to create boot install for Vista on partition Y and for Windows 7 on partition Z?
Great write up. Works perfectly!!
Thanks a lot! Worked no problem. It also fixed the partition tables on my USB key!
Windows XP/2000 users !!!
Diskpart will not recognize removable storage, so don’t bover
This only works under WIndows Vista or 7.
When are the mongs gonna read and understand this guide does not work on xp.
For everyone having issues with diskpart in XP not seeing the USB stick, it’s because that’s an XP issue. The way XP and Vista handles USB drives, Vista sees them in Diskpart but XP tends not to. There is a reg hack to fix it but I haven’t bothered to search for it.
Just spotted someone beat me to it
Works 100% in my Notebook. I wanted to install Vista Ultimate with a 8GB USB Pen and i made it!
Thanks!
Best write-up ever! Clear and concise. Oh, and it works!!!
Great job, and thank you!
Funny thing I noticed on Win7, when you EXIT the DiskPart and try to continue in Command Prompt, while copying the bootsector to device, you may face an error – Access Denied for no priviledge in copying the bootsector to device.
Solution – just Exit the Command Prompt and Run it again (still need to Run as Administrator).
I’m sure this is another arrengement with MS and USB driver manufactuer to make money LOL joke
Nice guide I will have to steal my girlfriend’s USB drive (Which I bought her for christmas LOL) to try this. Looks like it’s worth it thanks
so if you do this tut correctly on a vista computer then you can use the pen drive on a Xp computer?
Hey Bro can one dual boot using this…. ie. Vista and Windows 7
perfect. great guide. thanks
Dear,
I want to install windows 7 RC through USB/Pen drive.
But when i open the command prompt and write LIST DISK there (after DISKPART), it only shows my hard drive there, that is DRIVE 0 only, though i try it after inserting USB.Y is it so?
FORMAT FS=NTFS
(Format process may take few seconds)Yeah lol, it’s taking a loooong few seconds on my 8GB drive
I have a question for you, admin.
What if I want to rollback changes made to my USB drive? Or can I leave it like that (partitions, ntfs) for regular use after installing windows 7?
@Jay
Yes, you can dual boot.
@ pirater2113
You can use this to create bootable USB on Vista and 7 only. If you have created on a Vista computer then you can use it on a XP computer to boot.
i tried it and it won’t work, i am using an old portable hard drive which is 5 gb, is it alright with it?
10x for this useful tutorial
it’s working on vista tomorrow i will try on win 7.10x a lot
Can I do this with an SD card and USB adapter?
made a usb with above tutorial, will install windows 7
i wanted to install windows 7 64 bit but have 32 bit vista
now in order to install windows 7 64 bit, it seems, i will have to burn a dvd
@Trave
I haven’t personally tried using SD card. But you should be able to do that.
@All
We are going to close the comments for this post.
I used this method successfully on two computers. I was very surprised that when I was unable to change the boot sequence to USB in the BIOS on an older laptop, windows 7 installed anyway. I was pretty sure that it wouldn’t work but I tried it and presto! It went through the three reboots and installed perfectly. Has anyone else had this happen?
this method from microsoft takes out the last part using bootsect. and it still works.
Worked like a charm, great instructions, thanks!
Hi,
Great guide. However, I am stuck after:bootsect.exe /nt60 h: (h is my usb drive letter)
The message I get is: “Could not map drive partitions to the associated volume device objects: Access is denied.”
I followed the steps twice niowand get the same result. Am I missing something? Would greatly appreciate any help…I have a netbook down and would like to put Windows 7 on it using a USB stick.
Thanks!
Please ignore my last message – I was not running command prompt as Administrator!
I m very very thankful to U for such HELP…..
You can follow my guide to creating a bootable usb disk under windows xp then follow this guide from 5 onwards.
I want to ask something. Can I return my flash drive back to normal after this? Leave a tagg on my guest book
or email me rather.
Hey..hv vista already installed on my pc..need 2 install win 7 as dual boot..i tried once dual bootin with xp bt resulted into bootin f only xp..cud u pls help me out hw 2 dual boot win 7 wid vista…
Best guide I have ever used… Thank you, hats off sir.
I find it funny that you say this is a 100% working guide but you don’t mention that fact that the Win 7/Vista USB boot drive needs to be created on computer running Windows 7 or Vista. That should really be added to the Requirements section so you can call your guide 100% working. I seen a few comments from people saying it doesn’t work because they’re trying to make the boot drive from within XP.
Other than that small piece of missing information, the guid e is great!
(I’m hoping HTML will work
)
trying the F:CD BOOT command (where F is my DVD drive location), it returns the following functions
Firstly, from DISKPART (which you didn’t say to leave, not sure if you meant to or not)
Secondly, from C:\Windows\System32 (where your screenshot is taken from)
Sorry, images weren’t displayed from html
I’ll just explain itfrom C:\Windows\System32, after running the F:CD BOOT
it returns a simple “Parameter is incorrect.”from DISKPART it gives me a list of about 25 sub commands
not sure about the right word for thatthankyou but, your guide seems very will explained (just having some technical issues
Awesome work! Clear and very simple! For everyone having problems, keep in mind the guide is only for:
- Windows 7 installing / not running from an USB drive
- MB with USB boot supportJust follow the steps.
Thanks for this guide!
PS:
Great guide… cheers bro!
Thank a lot. Very useful tutorial… I followed it all through until I boot through usb and setup program comes up. When I get to, select which drive you want the installation I cant select my usb drive it comes up with the message below:
“WINDOWS CANNOT BE INSTALLED TO THIS DISK. SETUP DOES NOT SUPPORT CONFIGERATION OF OR INSTALLATION TO DISKS CONNECTED THROUGH A USB OR IEEE 1394 PORT.”
I tried 3 different computers and a few new laptops and come up with same message. I read these forums and people successfully installing them, What am i doing wrong. Can you please Help.
I’ve been at this for almost 2 weeks.
I can boot from usb but can’t install onto it. I am trying to install vista.CAN YOU PLEASE HELP.
THANK YOU
@Shaz
You can’t install Windows on USB using this guide. You can only use this guide to create a bootable USB and then use it as installation media.
Thanks a lot for fast reply. Is there a way that I can install vista onto my external hard drive? if so how is it possible.
Thank you
Thanks, this worked really well.
Couldn’t get my old DVD drive to read quickly/effectively enough and this did the trick!Well chuffed ;D
It works fine, except one problem: when I run the windows7 64bits RC1 \boot\bootsect.exe in my Vista 32, it doesn`t work. I did it running from the \boot folder of the windows7 Beta1 32bits and it is OK.
If you have a version problem with bootsec.exe, just use bootsec.exe from a Vista DVD. Put back your Windows 7 after and continue following the guide
Thanks !
very nice toot.
as an Ubuntu user I enjoyed being able to do this kind of stuff from Win7 7127 on my desktop to make this 7210 for my netbook without using linux.
imagine that.
Great guide, thx
Had a problem with step six but thats because the written command is wrong, but I figured it out when I saw the command in the scrren
I used this method and created a USB drive for my Windows 7 installation. Works flawlessly! Oh, and the installation of Windows now takes only 8 minutes.
Step 2: don’t you guys know if you hit winkey + R you get the oldschool run box which automatically starts whatever you run from it with admin privledges?
Great guide, thanks.
To those, like me, that are (were) running Vista 32-bit and wanting 7 64-bit:
In step 7, use bootsect.exe from your Vista CD. Barring any other issues, it will work perfectly. It did for me.
Hello, TweakWindows, and thanks, but… I know what you mentioned about Vista, which I AM using, I used a Sandisk 8GB and waited half an hour for the formatting process (hardly a few seconds, but I wasn’t surprised, and I’d like to know how you get that on a 4GB flash drive), I followed each of your steps in order twice while running an Administrator command session, with positive feedback after each command was completed, and then I reordered my BIOS boot priority (which had the same effect as hitting F12, other than F12 not requiring another BIOS session to boot normally from your hard disk again). Looks like I did everything right, and STILL I can’t boot from a flash drive. I see most others have not had that problem, but I made sure that I did what you said, with the right stuff, and still I crashed with this error: “BOOTMGR NOT PRESENT (or MISSING, something similar), and that was after the “BOOTMGR.EXE /NT60…” command completed with success! I know nothing of boot managers, much less repairing them, but I sure would appreciate a clue (wherever it is)! I am close to hopelessly frustrated on this, even if this is the best tutorial I’ve seen so far, and if I can’t resolve it here I will probably give up – please help!
Oh…did I misunderstand that this is for making use of an image file? Is that not how Vista is normally distributed, on a normal DVD? I am trying to install a modified version of Vista, distributed by .iso, for two very good reasons: 1) I’m on a bloatware diet, and 2) I’m trying to replace what I already paid for, after it got wiped (yeah, the whole freak’n disk), and if you Microsoft pirate hunters have a problem with that, then you can go impale yourselves on your own swords! To any who would clue me in on what else may be needed besides the image file (after following the above steps), or explain any non-troll reasons why this method would not work with what I am trying to do, I’d be most grateful.
If you have Windows XP all ready installed just fallow 6. 7. 8. 9. Before this steps format your USB FLASH drive in NTFS format. It’s all ready works to Windows 7 and Windows Vista
On #4 where the file system is being set, you can use QUICK to speed up the formatting like this:
FORMAT FS=NTFS QUICK
It’s so much faster!
Thanks!
This would really help me a lot installing on Vaio Type P.
I am getting a window at the installation process to select a driver. I can not go pass that.. any idea.. I tried to select windows/inf folder as well.. but no luck.. installation does not proceed.
Hello, I’ve already tried this guide a week ago and it works. I have windows 7 in my hp mini 2140. But now I want to downgrade again back to Windows XP.
Can I use this guide again? but rather than to put the windows 7 installation in the usb it would be the windows xp? Or should I search another guide for this? I haven’t tried it yet. I just want to ask here first before I try.
Regards,
it works flawleslly tnx man
Sorry, JonJon.. This guide is only for Windows 7 or Vista.
Hi,
Is it possible to create a multi boot?
So one can select what version to install from the same stick:
Windows 7 x64 or x86
Windows Vista x64 or x86
some bios don’t recognise NTFS formatted usb keys as boot device, so you might still want to format as FAT32, even if it makes your key slower
Very great work! Thank you very much!
Hi Admin,
Quick question- Would this method work with my Vaio boot disk? instead of a standard windows cd. Thanks in advance.
When I tried executing “LIST DISK” in command prompt,I couldnt find my USB drive listed in.
So I couldnt proceed.
Please guide me
Excellent tutorial, thanks!
If the flash drive has been previously used for as a bootable installer for a Linux distro then the MBR needs to be reset, which can be done by modifying the Step 7 command to:
bootsect /nt60 H: /force /mbrThis will remove the Master Boot Record so Windows boot loader will kick in, instead of Linux (GRUB).
@Peter
Bootable Windows DVD or Image is required to make this happen.
For the ones that do not want to burn a blank DVD, you can mount the .iso file you downloaded (e.g. using VirtualCloneDrive) and do the copy from there.
Will give this tutorial a try shortly to get the SevenRC on my X200 (small & great but no optical drive).
Hi. I followed this guide to make a bootable Windows 7 usb drive a few weeks ago, and it worked perfectly!
Now I have downloaded a new version of Win 7 (The RTM released just recently), and I wonder if I have to follow this guide from step 1 to remake the bootable drive, or is it enough for me to erase the content on the flashdrive and then copy from the image, the last step?
Nice tutorial… will do installing!!
usb drive will be not available when use diskpart command in windows xp. you should use vista or later versions of windows.
all that is necessary is to format your USB and then copy all files from the the cd/dvd(iso or whatever) to the device. Then just to be sure to boot from the device via the bios or boot selection.
Has anyone found out a solution to the problem of it sating BOOTMGR not found. Press ctrl alt dlt to restart when trying to boot it. I can’t get passed that.
I have a U3 Software on my USB, its basically there for Exploring and locking the USB, if i copy entire system File(U3) and then paste it back after a format for the purpose of above guide will i be able to still use it the U3, and if yes must i format it back to FAT32?
After trying over and over i finally got it. It was bringing up my vaio recovery tools, so I had to take my hdd out of the boot order and it worked like a charm.
I got the install to run on the X200 using the USB, but I had to deal with a “cannot create or locate system partition” error. That is an error linked to the usage of USB media and not DVD.
If the USB is first in the BIOS, then the Custom upgrade option simply fails to find the HDD where to create the system partition (100MB)… I initially wanted a dual-boot of my Lenovo-Vista, but I had to completely format the drive finally. Once blank, I could put it first in the BIOS (since not bootable yet)… and the system booted on the USB.
From that tricky point, it went smoothly. This guide is great.
nice article..thanks
Hey, thanks for this great article. I’ve used this several times already, since I felt my original windows 7 64-bit was not to my liking on my new laptop. I found out why the “bootmgr is missing” message was showing after correctly carrying out all the instructions. I put the Windows 7 ISO on my usb instead of the folders/files inside the Windows 7 ISO/CD!
Great guide. Worked perfectly thanks a lot. Now I don’t have to worry about finding a disc drive just for a folding rig.
If you click right, you get properties of the drive – any drive – and then click “format”. I think that will short this procedure of formating drive, for those who do not like to typing.
I have a problem here !! someone could help me please ?? When I’m formatting the USB Drive and after it finish I got this msg: “DiskPart has encountered an error: The parameter is incorrect.
See the System Event Log for more information.” What’s that supose to mean ?? Could anyone give me the solution please.
Thanks for the guide. Perhaps you should update it with Shom’s comment(#137). I was using a usb stick that formerly had the linux grub loader on it. I was getting the missing bootmgr error message until I used the /force /mbr option like Shom suggested.
Also, formatting is very slow – I would add the QUICK option on the format command. Although in Windows 7, I can just right click on my usb drive letter in my computer & quick format it using NTFS – bypassing DISKPART altogether.
Worked fine, though format was a little slow.
Thanks for an easy to follow guide!
its really works.
Thanks for this guide! Exelent job. Thank you again! Pali from Hungary.
does this work with XP?
This article is really only awesome guide which works.
Worked 100% without any flaws and mind irritating drills.
Please don’t try this on your Windows XP Pro Operating system and waste your time.
It is only for Windows Vista and/or Windows 7 Beta users.
I tried it as instructed on windows 7 beta and worked like charm.
Can somebody please tell me similar 100% working guide for triple booting Windows 7 + Windows XP + Ubuntu Linux.
Any help in this regard is highly appreciated.
Rds, Gaurav Akrani
Troubles… I can boot from the USB stick into the Windows setup 7 fine. However, every time the computer restarts, it restarts the setup.
So… During the next restart I pulled the USB stick out and Windows “started”. The setup picked up where it left off. The green bar wasn’t moving at all though.
So I ran it all again – I rebooted (with the USB stick plugged in), reformatted the destination drive, re-ran the full setup, pulled the stick out for the first restart… You know that black screen where you can choose safe mode or regular mode? There are 2 Windows 7 options there and every time I repeat the above, it adds another Windows 7 option.
What am I missing??
Thanks for any help….
Oh hey! Never trust a green bar… It worked after a loooong time.
Step 6 works more efficiently if you enter it as one line:
CD /D D:\Boot
thx a lot You save me many Hours from searching external dvd drivers… Perfect JOB!!!
Very good, I’m going to boot it in a few seconds from now…THANX
If you have problems with the BOOTSECT.exe part, just add /force to the end.
Thanks a bunch for this tute, it has saved me hours of frustration and bad words.
I created a USB install and will use it tonight on my guinea pig system.
Thanks – the format took ages on my 16gb cruzer…
Also, my source was an ISO of the x64 RTM build. First try, I mounted this with MagicISO and copied files with explorer – had a problem with a missing file “boot\bcd”, so I started again, but used 7-zip to extract the iso, and am now through with the install, which flew by in just 20 or so minutes.
I think that copying files from the magiciso mounted iso was not the ideal way to go… 7-zip seems to have done the trick for me.
GUYS GUYS GUYS!!!!!!!
Go to device manager and go to properties and select policies, and select the “better Performance” the bottom one for you to use the BOOTSEC.EXE part.
You might have to reboot.
I also suggest you use KILL U3 utility for san disk.
Thanks !
Johannes from France
Excellent stuff. I tried following “other” sites’ instructions only to find they didn’t even create the boot sector. This worked like a charm. Thanks!
Damnit, can’t do it on a x64 Win7 DVD from XP 32 :/
Hi ! Thanks. It works fine . Thanks a lot for your effort and clear instructions.
“FORMAT FS=NTFS
(Format process may take few seconds)”This is bad . Very bad.
It doesnt take few seconds.
It does take very many seconds.
Formatting quick is much faster and enough (I already did to this stick two times before) .
Please correct.
Just tryed it worked perfectley thanx!!!!!!!
AWESOME!!!
Replace format fs=ntfs
with format fs=ntfs quick
to make it format faster.
thanks bro..
thanks man thats ur great work keep on doing……..
For those of having the 32/64 bit problem, just follow the beginning of the guide and after you finish formating, copy & paste (drag and drop) the contents of the dvd (which you can virtually mount on your hdd) onto the usb stick. it will be bootable and will work!
hai dude it really works great.
can u also tell me how to create an live pendrive (like live cd).
work like magic
Thanks alot
Keep posting !
XP users follow this method:
Just for completion
1. First create your bartpe files using UBCD4WIN
2. after you have done that create your usb flashdrive using UBUSB
point to the files of your bartpe
be sure you check create cd image and let de default Z in place
check if you have selected the right drive
press goafter finished you have a bootable usb drive which is able to get in a xp environment.
3. Now copy the content of your win XP CD to a folder XPCD on the flash drive (x:\xpcd)
4. after copying boot the drive in the PC and select Compatibility Mode (Memory Mapped)
5. after finished you select the commandline and typeX:\XPCD\i386\Winnt32.exe /syspart:C: /tempdrive:C: /makelocalsource
6. first enter the xpkey and name of the computer and region then click next
7. Now you’re asked if you want to upgrade to the XP NTFS filesysten, select “NO” for this then hit Next.
8. It’ll now see “Copying installation files” and the familiar green progress bar. Shortly after “Copying Installation Files” is complete, setup will close without notice or any type of prompt, this is normal.
9. remove the flash drive and Reboot your computer and setup will continue from the hard drive where you can choose to install XP or do a repair install if XP is already installed.
Working. Perfect. Thanks for it, amazing work.
Kingston 8GB
Windows 7 RC
on Dell Optiplex GX270, BIOS A07Only … little mistake at point 6:
Quote: “D:CD BOOT and hit enter.Where “D” is your DVD drive letter.”The right command is: ‘D: CD Boot’
Need space between D: and CD BOOTSee screenshot.
I have installed windows seven using the method provided by you but I am not able to play my pen drive in my car CD player. I mean when I try to play songs in my car, it do not work now. Please give a solution.
@Simran
Format, and write songs again on it.
FAT32 will be OK.
do you have to copy the entire contents of the win7 disk? my thumbdrive isn’t that big.
D:\boot>bootsect.exe /NT60 H:
Target volumes will be updated with BOOTMGR compatible bootcode.Could not map drive partitions to the associated volume device objects:
D:\boot>
——————–
Any suggestions?
i will tell you one thing,this is the first advice i have gotten from that internet that works perfectly,i wanted to upgrade my pc to 7 so i formated my vista not knowing that my cd rom was messed,so i was running out of options to install 7 until i saw this and i saw all the instryctions carefully,here i am with my pc typing this and my pc is perfectly in shape,thank you very much,you are a saviour
@Acme
Yup. You need to copy all the contents you your thumbdrive.
good job…. my laptop dont have DVD drive. Thanks for the post
I love this guide, it works flawlessly. Thanks for sharing!
It works like a charm
thx alot
I would just like to let anyone and everyone in here know that I specifically followed this guide yesterday for XP and it worked.
http://www.liliputing.com/2008/04/install-windows-xp-on-mini-note-usb.htmlSince the comments here are confusing : NOTE this guide is not to create a Win 7 USB stick under XP but to actually make a Windows XP stick under Windows XP to install XP, it worked for me and seemed to have the least amount of fiddling.
- Enjoy.
very nice tutorial but please help me. Everithing works well but when it’s go to drive option(where you format you disk) it ask about a device driver to load and install
?????? What to do? setup cannot continue…
you most do these commands in windows “safe mode” to avoid the “Access denied” message.
YEAH TNX DUDE… ^_^ ANOTHER NEW IDEA ON INSTALLING WINDOWS 7 ^_^ NICE POST
jj
Posted September 30, 2009 at 10:46 am | Permalink
D:\boot>bootsect.exe /NT60 H:
Target volumes will be updated with BOOTMGR compatible bootcode.Could not map drive partitions to the associated volume device objects:
D:\boot>
——————–
Any suggestions?HEY jj JUST COPY ALL THE CONTENTS IN YOUR WINDOWS 7 TO YOUR USB IT WORKED JUST FINE… ^^
Hello,
I have the folders for Windows 7, and I want to burn a DVD to install from (I need to format my PC, so I can’t just install from within XP). However, I can’t just burn the files to the DVD, cus then it won’t let me boot from it.
Any ideas on how to do just that? How do I make it bootable?
So.. can I still used the usb drive after this? Can I reformat it to fat32?
hey really great guys, but i couldnt show my usb drive in step “LIST DISK” only the local drivers…
please help.
Can i use an external hard drive? A partition of it from which to install w7?
@ mugurelu
Since you are going to create a bootable drive, you need to format the drive completely. So, you can’t use just one partition. And about external drive, it should work fine (I have tested on flash drives only).
@ Jackson
You should be able to format it with FAT 32 or NTFS.
simply does not work. One of the main reasons being is you have typed out the commands in the text differently to what you have input into the command screen, you have ommitted the spaces in your text yet placed spaces in the command prompt, and even after correcting those errors all you get is:”bootsect.exe is not recognised as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file”
Yet another waste of yours and my time……
Thank you very much for sharing this trick.
My DVD of Win 7 was corrupt & I was not able to install.
Then after searching on net I got your trick & applied on my USB. It successfully worked & Win7 was installed in less than 30mins with all drivers.
I would be really happy to help you if you need any help in future.
Once again Thanks.
Great share, thanks.
Worked on my DVD-less home server, saved me alot of time. Only problem I had was my systems BIOS settings, missing USB option in the boot order, but did let me enable boot from USB, just needed to remove memory stick at the right times during restarts.
Thanks again.
If you have XP do this instead of diskpart:
1) Right click on the USB drive and click format.
2) Run a quick format
3) Open up DOS box and type convert i: /fs:ntfs (Where “I” is your USB drive latter)
4) After that goto step 5 on this listWorks great in XP
I just tried to install win7 using this guide but when I tried to boot from the usb drive it said bootmgr is missing. But I did every step here and the bootsect command was successful.
Thanks, a great walktrough!
Hello, If you are running Windows 7 already you can just go into Computer and then format it like you regularly would format a usb drive as NFTS. It saves quite a bit of time and basically cuts this process in half.
What if i dont have the cd and i just have the files on my pc what do i do then??? any help would be much appreciated.
If you have Windows 7 ISO, you need to extract it first to a folder and then to the USB.
what if i hav 2 install windows xp??
Thanks dude, worked great!
I was successful in following your instructions, that is after I initially screwed up and selected my slave HD as though it were the flash drive. My question here would thyen be; Is there a way for me to restore the partition and data on the “slave” that I inadvertently cleaned and partially formatted? I know, you need not say it: I am an idiot!
I was successful in following your instructions, that is after I initially screwed up and selected my slave HD as though it were the flash drive. My question here would thyen be; Is there a way for me to restore the partition and data on the “slave” that I inadvertently cleaned and partially formatted? I know, you need not say it: I am an idiot!
This worked awesomely on vista. Thank you very much.
But how does one reverse the procedure?
Do I simply reformat the USB shtick?
awesome guide, works for me with win 7 oem bie final x86. thanks alot dude!
nice one, thanks.. the BOOTSECT command made my usb drive become a viable source to install Windows 7 on an Asus EEE Pc.
It’s not that cool dear. I am trying to do the same(i mean using bootsect.exe) from Vista. Still there is a problem saying “Your version of bootsect.exe is not compatible with the current version of windows”. Please suggest.
Thanks
@ Diptiman
If you trying to create a Windows 7 or Vista on Vista/7 you should not face any such problems. And if you trying to create a bootable USB of Vista/XP/7 on XP, you will see error.
Thank you for this wonderfull solution. It’s easy and worked for me.
HELOO ,I HAVE A PROBLEM WHEN I PUT F:/BOOT>BOOTSECT.EXE /NT60 I: IT SAYS THAT “COULD NOT MAP DRIVE PARTITIONS TO THE ASSOCIETED VOLUME DEVICE OBJECT:ACCES DENIED
WHAT TO DO PLS HELP
Hi there,
for all the people having problems at step 6 try this6. Type in the cmd window CD/DVD DRIVE LETTER: and press enter i.e.
D:
Then Type CD BOOT and press enter
Then proceed with step 7
Hope this helps
I did EXACTLY as it says and my netbook doesn’t wanna boot from USB…I checked BIOS settings couple of times and it is set to boot from removable device…which is correct I guess…no idea what to do
OK I found it….when EEE PC starts you need to press ESC key in case to display BOOT DEVICE SELECTION menu
For those having problems with “access is denied” during the bootsect command, be sure to open cmd exactly as mentioned in the instructions. I assumed that being logged on as an administrator or using /runas was sufficient, but I guess things are different in Vista/Windows 7.
problem:
“Could not map drive partitions to the associated volume
device objects: Access is denied.”
————————————————-
answer:
C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exeOn the pop-up right click context menu, select
“Run as Administrator”
100% working… confirmed! Thanks for the tutorial… it was easy, and accurate.
This process worked fine. THANKS!!!
Brilliant Guide… Worked a Treat….
Any method to know your win7 and vista compatibility (x64, x86…) before installing win7?
Have you made the XP guide yet?
@Nicered
You can use official Windows 7 upgrade advisor (it’s free) tool to check compatibility issues. Here is the link:
http://www.intowindows.com/test-your-pc-software-compatibility-with-windows-7-using-windows-7-upgrade-advisor-final/
Hi~ Thanks for the tutorial currently copying the files hope it works!
I LOVE YOU!!!
my cd drive doent work so USB was the only option.
GREAT TUTORIAL!!!
Worked as advertised on my Dell Mini 9.
why do all this when you can just make virtual cd drive and boot from it? 2 minutes work lol.
Hi,
Please help !!! Here what I have done:
1.Download Windows 7 iso file,which I put it in isoBuster and extracted.
2.Coz I have listen it is better to make clean instalation,I bought new WD external HDD-Passport Studio 500 Gb and put it all information from my PC to HDD (around 90Gb very important data + windows 7 of course)!
3.I run “cmd” and get in DOS
- “diskpart”
- “list disk”
(coz there were nothing,not disk 1,2,3-i just select disk 1-don`t ask me why,coz i don`t know for myself,coz i am stupid!!!)
- select disk 1
- clean…
After i wrote “clean”,I discconect usb cable,coz I afraid-what does “clean” means!!??
For god sake-i have all informations from last 6 years on my external hard disk…Now,my WD doesn`t work,everything is ok in “drive manager”,when i conecct usb cable there is the external usb hard drive showed up on the Safely Remove Hardware list right down,but I can not enter into the disk-inside and I am so affraid and desperate and don`t know what to do…
How you can see,I am bigginer,but please tell me what is the best solution for me to do now and to don`t lose my data on WD (if i already didn`t lost
Please,please help-with days I don`t know what to do….
My e-mail is via_makedonia yahoo dot com please write me there.
What I have tried:
coneccting my WD with 3 dieferent cables-usb and firewire in dieferent ports.
installing drivers from wd siteWhen I check Device Manager it shows that the device is installed and working properly but it will not show in “my computer” and I can’t access it.
before the problem,my HDD appeard as drive H:
I wouldn’t be half as frustrated if it hadn’t been working properly before this.Plus-ALL data is on my HDD,and I don`t even know if it is still thereI do it this:
2 Step Solution for XP users:
Part 1:
Go to
Control panel -> Performance and Maintenance (cannot be in classic view to see this link) -> Administrator Tools -> Services -> Universal Plug and Play
If Universal Plug and Play is set to manual switch to automatic.
Part 2
Double Click Safely Remove icon on the bottom right-> Select device->click Properties -> click Volumes -> click Populate -> hit OK -> if nothing shows it may need to be formattedAlso i was in DISK MANAGEMENT,but except formating disk,I don`t see solution
And formating will erase all data on the disk,isn`t it?! (if i have it,of course).
again nothingThanks in advance !!!!!!
great work …………….
thanks a lot
great job ……….
thanx a lot.
have tried your process a few times with vista and 7 and works great but whilst installing windows i get an error code 0×80070241? any ideas why i get this code. pls help
Finally found a method that works. This actually works!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you, awesome.
I just finished assembling a new computer that only has SATA connections and all I have are PATA CDROM drives. Your guide saved me from spending money on a drive I’d only need once.
Many thanks.
I did every step right and got the right results. Even the Bootsect.exe part. it told me it successfully created it. i went to boot desktop from USB and STILL got the BOOTMGR is missing. Now i did it with vista from XP and it worked great. i had the vista install cd. now from vista to 7 its different. its an .iso file. is that why i cant make it work?
When I get to step 6 and type CD BOOT, I receive an error message:
“They system can not find the specified path”
I have a crappy Sony upgrade CD and it is not bootable. Could that be why I get that message? If the CD is not bootable, does that mean I can not create a bootable CD?
I can’t thank you enough.. my dvd-rom has been down, tryed fixing with the filter delete but computer still doesn’t recognize it, but it spins up at start up, I can put dvd in and it acts like it wants to but nothin..(yes all the bios stuff been checke, enabled and so on) —– so needless to say this little fix has been a God sent.. Works like a champ.. the only think that didn’t work was
“Format fs=ntfs” I formated it the old fashed way..
and in step 6. “D:CD Boot” I had to do “CD/Boot” amazing how that little / makes all the difference…I was a computer with xp and a good dvd drive to set up a third drive to boot from and re-install vista on my laptop..
Thx again..
This is an excellent guide for anyone and I am very greatful you took the time to do this.
Quick note that may confuse people, in step 6 where it states “D:CD BOOT” should be “D: CD BOOT” as shown in the screen shot.
Thank you for the brilliant guide!!!
Hey Thanks Man , for your help.
and i don’t understand onething.how do u find about disk 1 or disk 2 of usb . explain that dude.
thanks in advance
hi again one more doubt.
BOOTSECT.EXE/NT60 H: ?
so my usb drive name is 1201(E)
i have to type 1201 E: or must type NT60 E: ?
Works great, thanks.
some ppl may be having problem with this part
D:CD BOOT
needs space between D: and CD Boot, like this:
D: CD BOOT
I am not sure if this is posted but for everyone that has the CD as an ISO file you can use MagicISO to mount the ISO file to a virtual drive so that the system sees it as a CD/DVD. then just use that drive letter in place of the CD/DVD drive letter in the guide. Worked like a charm for me.
everything went fine. booted on the flash drive, but can’t partition using win 7. installation stopped there. what to do? tried it on asus Eee mini.
THIS POST WORKS out of the box, but those with problems pleeez pay SPECIAL attention to the G A P S in the commands. I followed the posters text AND viewed/compared the same commands in the pictures when I got stuck as others have here, and it all worked! D:CD BOOT should be D: CD BOOT and hit enter.Where “D” is your DVD drive letter -> a gap between D: and CD BOOT, which another commenter here ‘Malone’ kindly pointed out and got me hunting for other gaps to finish the job, . Also a gap at BOOTSECT.EXE /NT60 H: not BOOTSECT.EXE/NT60 H: Follow the posters instructions and compare against the pictures and you are good to go! Welcome to DOS commands and sneaky ball breaker gaps which are easy to miss, lol! This is a great post, just needs a bit of a mop up, many thanks to the poster!
i get a disk read error occurred when i try to boot from the usb i followed the guid and it should work, whats wrong?
worked great. thanks.
I had a problem in start.
As in window Xp in command prompt Diskpart command LIST DISK doesnot show usb as disk.
It shows it as volume.
kindly guide me whats the problem.
Regards
Hey, great guide!
Before I start I wanted to confirm something; when I’m done, if I want to use the pen drive again, I just format it from My Computer right?
Thanks for this wonderful how to..GRRRRRRREATTTTT!!!
INSTEAD OF GOING THROUGH ALL THIS PROCESS WE CAN JUST USE “WIN2FLASH” APPLICATION FROM WIN2FLASH.COM OR JUST CAN GOOGLE WIN2FLASH AND EASILY GET IT.
I AM USING WIN2FLASH FOR SOME TIME AND BEST PART IT CAN INSTALL WINDOWS XP AS WELL AS WIN 7 BOTH FROM USB PEN DRIVE.
TESTED BY ME ON ACER LAPTOP(7), HCL LEAPTOP(2), AROUND 19 DESKTOPS
Thank you very much!!! It took a lot of configuring and restarts but I finally managed to recover my OS with zero data loss. After I back up my stuff, I’ll be installing Win7 using microsoft’s boot tool.
Worked perfectly. Used it on a 4Gb SD card with a USB SD reader to install Win7 64-bit on an Acer laptop. Many thanks.
If you are doing this guide from XP, use the HP USB Flash Disk Format tool instead of steps 3 and 4. This is because XP’s DiskPart Tool does not support The NTFS Formatting for USB flash disks. Thank you for a great guide. I am working on a tool which does it all for you, called 7toUSB.
If u get this message ‘Could not map drive partition to the associated volume device objects:
Access is denied.goto C:/Windows/System32/ (before doing anything (or before running DISKPART)
right click on cmd.exe
Run as administrator (just second option)
and repeat whatevr is given in this website…..DONE
‘A disc read error’…plz help me.i changed the BIOS priority to USB HDD.there were other options USB FDD,USB CDROM,USB ZIP.
Thank you very much, this worked perfectly for me.
it is very very helpful for me.
thank’s.
I have a question for you, I have done this guide
over and over again different ways on different operating
systems and I cant get it to work, I am wanting to install
windows 7 iso on my desktop pc which is an xp machine. I changed the bios boot sequence so it detects the usb first actually I made them all usb and it still gos straight through the boot sequence and right into the xp bootup screen. I dont know what to do please help.thank you, david
@ David Dizzle
It seems your PC doesn’t support USB booting, or your Windows 7 ISO is not bootable.
If it doesnt support usb booting then why is it an option in the boot sequence?
this works like a charm, did a vista install from usb. thanks!!!
“Could not map drive partitions to the associate volume device object: Access is denied.
This happened right after bootsect.exe/nt60 E:
(The usb key is considered by the comp as drive E)
I tried the so-called easier guide link, it couldn’t even find an iso file in the windows 7 files. (It’s on a cd)
And i know there is nothing wrong with the windows 7 cd, i just used it last night to install it on my uncles comp, which is where i’ve been trying to go through this guide)
I need it on a usb key so i can install it on MY notebook. Help anyone?
Okay so, access isn’t denied anymore. but it still says the same thing besides that
Thanks for this easy tutorial! Now, just a easy question!-)
On my USB-pen drive there is space enough for both the 32 and 64 bits version of windows 7. Would it be possible to have a menu from which one could choose which OS to install?
A new easy tutorial maybe!-)
Thanks Chase (post 226) finally found that out and was going to post with solution but seen yours. Took me 20 minutes to realize that you have to right click and run as admin in Vista and 7
thanks man for this guide!
hey i got an iso file i downloaden from school
(we get free software there)
and i cannot do step 5 is that a problem?
and i got an iso file when i want to select is with the dvd usb tool program it said that it is not valid
can anyone helpe me?
Hello,
great work,
for saving time you can use “format fs=ntfs quick”
that can save some time if you have a big usb stick.
Hello and BIG THANKS FROM CROATIA
100% WORKING,
EASY AND FAST WAY TO INSTALL WINDOWS WITHOUT DVD
This is AMAZING! THNX MAN! Nice Tutorial!
Keep doing making tuts like this!
Just thought others should know, command in step 7 must have a space after EXE
As published BOOTSECT.EXE/NT60 H:
This works BOOTSECT.EXE /NT60 H:
(shown in the screen cap correctly)–Sam
thankx… its work.
Well, accidentally formatted my external HDD with my movie library, .ISO library, and all of my pictures on it, but, my fault.
HEY,
MUCH APPRECIATED! GREAT TUTORIAL! AND IT WORKS!! YOU SAVED ME SOME DOLLARS. THANKS VERY MUCH!
KIRITH SIVA.
Man… After days of searching and trial and error, FINALLY this is a guide that WORKS!
I have just installed Windows 7 on my netbook and I am sooooo freakin’ happy.I blog about computers, software and web development in German and I would like to ask your permission to translate this guide into German and publish it on my blog. With full credits to you and a link to the original guide of course.
Great guide, but MS has now made it much easier for us:
http://store.microsoft.com/Help/ISO-Tool
Awesome. I could restore my system from what you could call as disaster.
Thanks so much.
Vaidy
thank for this update…….all of u………..
any new update so mail me this mail id……..
i will wait your reply………………….
This worked flawlessly for upgrading my wife’s PC. She had a DVD ROM drive that refused to be recognized and this was an awesome work-around and super fast.
Thanks!
go here for these things in a nutshell from micro$oft
http://store.microsoft.com/Help/ISO-Tool
you cant copyright anything in the command prompt screenshots that you did using MSFT instructions for this process.
dolt.
About step 6:
D: CD BOOT
The “CD BOOT” is not doing anything. Just D: is enough, anything after that is ignored.
For the rest: thanks for the guide, it’s really helpful for a lot of people I think.
nice i will try this
Thank you,Streamlined instructions,it worked perfectly.
hey it wont let me do the last command, BOOTSECT.EXE /NT60 F: , my flash drive is f and it says could not map drive partitions to the associated volume device objects: access is denied???????.. what do i need to do
Excellent work, thank you. This is good help the beginner users.
Many thanks
bye slownie
i had some problems at the begining, as i have raid 0 with amd southbridge.
so guys, for Windows 7 x64 you need the folder /boot from a 32 bit dvd instalation if you want to prepare the usb drive on a 32bit PC (i used from the DVD of RC win 7 a had from may 2009…)
it worked fine, i tried first with an Ultimate version x64
now i want to install the Profession Win 7, because i have the license from the university for itthanks!
great.. thank you. it worked like a charm.
you should clarify step 5 for those who dont have the windows dvd. Mounting an image isn’t something everyone knows about. Like myself, I am assuming most people who are gonna use this guide only have the .iso file and not the dvd.
;( well, mine went bad, really bad, my disk 1 was my second hdd (i realized that after) u should add how to discover what disk is the usb, i’ve deleted all my most important files;( i reached active, i didn’t made format, is there a way to take back my stuff?
Worked Perfectly. I can now have the great W7 on my laptop with a burned up DVD drive, lol
Worked perfectly. Thank you.
This is stupid, I didn’t have to do all this crap, all I did was format my 4GB flash drive in fat 32 format, copy the contents if the Windows 7 DVD contents to the USB flash drive. And then set the bios to boot from flash. all done with my mouse, no diskpart or cmd prompt.
@khang, if you only have the .iso file of windows 7 and not the dvd, (install power iso trial-free online), nxt double click .iso image and it appears in power iso, in toolbar of power iso click on ‘mount’ select ’1 drive(in drop out menu) follow a couple of prompts and its mounted….nxt…go to ‘my computer’ and you will see a virtual drive(DVD Drive) their with the windows 7 in it, right click on it and explore(or open in new window) all the files are their and you can now copy them to your pen drive.
a much easier and quicker way is (assuming you have power iso installed) is simply right click on .iso image and mount from their, my computer, explore or open…copy files//simple really,
@ patryk
if you didnt get as far as format then you should be able to recover files, im assuming your disc drive has dissapeared from ‘my computer’?? if so, go to start menu>>type partition in search bar (dont hit enter) clcik on the ‘create and format partitions’ file>>a box will appear and take a minute or 2 to load in all your partitions…..once loaded you should see your missing partition/drive…if so right click on it..select ‘change drive letter and paths,>>select ‘add’ from the nxt pop up box>>type a letter in, make sure the letter is not assigned to any other resources (egzample…type letter R ) once you put the letter in, just click ok, your partition should be back as normal now in my computer.
This works like a charm. If your having problems try the other easy installation that he has posted on the link at the top of the page. That one has only 4 steps that u follow. In any case both of these installation guides have my 5 star rating*****
very very tankssssssssssssssssssss……my rateing is 5*****
it worked you are a star i bought my note book for £50 coz it wouldnt load up,, best £50 ive spent in a long time thanks to your help,,, cheers
1st off, nice tutorial! I used my iPod touch as a flash disk, and used ultraiso to make the image<—so far so good, everything loads but I get a message stating that 'device drivers are missing' [paraphrased] I read around and it looks like it may be cd/DVD not being supported, but I'm installing from USB, no need for DVD drive help pleez
that sir,
simply put, is ‘the bollox’,
TUVM
Hi, does this step’s will reformat my flash drive?
@Antonio
Yes, it will format your drive.
Worked perfectly!!!
The funny thing was my Windows 7 Ultimate DVD was scratched, so I tried to use my Windows 7 Home and that didn’t fit on my 4gig USB stick.
Than I tried an 8 Gig microSD card and that did fit…and booted perfectly on my Asus R1600.
Thanks for really well written and detailed instructions.
This tutorial is awesome!
Thanks for the helpful tips.Cheers,
Victor Aroma
Perfect .. 10/10 !
Thanks for sharing this valuable info ..
my netbook is 32 bit and my win7 is 64bit.. im wondering if this can be installed..
and if it cant can yyou please tell me how i could upgrade my netbook to 64bit?
The easiest way how to install Win7/Vista from usb is just to format your USB stick (from windows, no cmd line needed!) and extract files from *.iso into root of your USB stick….nothing else…tested million times
thx! 100% working like you said
Thanks a lot! The MS tool kept erroring out when trying to create a bottable USB installer from the DVD. However your instructions worked like a charm…Thanks!
Although there are a couple of tools out there to help simplify this process, I just ran across a new one that works under XP as well. Bootsage is another nice utility to add to your toolbelt. http://firesage.com/bootsage
You are a legend. Got a SFF here and no DVD or CD-Dom. Used your instructions to get Windows Home server up and running. Thanks for the info.
yea, this is stupid…..just format and copy windows 7 files to usb…DONE
Thx dude !
once i hit “format fs=ntfs” it just says 0 percent and stays there.
Help!!
I am not getting my pendrive disk number.
when i type list disk
only disk 0 is visiblei have tried on all USB ports
Excellent guide.
I need to save this site on my pc.
Extremely useful and helpful
Thanxs.
Thanks for the guide ^^ verry usefull! You saved me from CD/DVD’s with windows and others!
nice work!!!
can anyone tell me how to put xp in the usb and make it bootable..please
thanks
In case you get error message “Access Denied” in the last step you may need to start “Virtual Disk” service from Start->Run->services.msc
Excellent tutorial worked like a charm!
Thanks!
Really helpful.
thnx
You should really give the _original author_ credit, instead of pretending like you wrote this guide yourself.
Just a couple of weeks after it’s posted here:
“link removed”
You turn around and post it here.You can try to deny it, but it’s the _exact_ same steps in the _exact_ same order, on top of using the _exact_ same commands, again, in the _exact_ same order.
Plagiarism is baaaaaad.
@Padam
How can you say that just because order of commands are same? You know, one can’t create a bootable disk by entering those commands in random order. So steps will be same if you refer other sites too. I can’t blame other sites for that right? You need to execute the step 1 first and then 2.. You can’t reverse it!
Looks like you guys did a great job copying the instructions from here:
“link removed”Way to pass it off as your own.
Kevin
“just because [...]“? It’s kinda cute how you ignored the other points. The order of the commands is important, but they do _not_ have to be executed in that exact order.
Furthermore, I’m even more convinced you have no idea what any of the commands posted do – as you’re misleading users into thinking that bootsect doesn’t work on XP installs or vista installs with XP as the target. It’s a matter of changing the /n60 argument to /nt52 for it to use the master boot code that’s compatible with NTLDR (rather than BOOTMGR, which is what Vista/7 uses).
To quote you in case you decide to go deleting it:
“This guide doesn’t work for XP..Only for Vista and Windows 7.. [snip]“
@Kevin
I don’t know what to say! For your kind information, Microsoft has given the how to make bootable usb in its WinPE help guide. Do download and read it before making such comments.
AWESOME man! solved my prob.
I… AM… YOUR… FAN… NOW…
The fact that you removed the link to his blog from both of our posts speaks volumes in itself. There are other links all throughout the comments on this page, _none_ of which have been removed.
kmwoley.com/blog/?p=345
Leave it up this time, let the users make their own decision as who stole it from who.
@Padam
I have deleted the links just because I don’t allow readers to post links in comments. You might get two or three links in the whole comment section (in this post). And mind that I could have deleted your comments if i had done so. Hope you got it. Also note that I will be deleting your future comments as I don’t like to argue on a useless topic.
@admin
y wasting time on useless things/people……..plzz help me out through the problem soon…..
Works perfect.
Thank you very much for youre efforts!
If you have the following error:
“COULD NOT FIND MAP DRIVE PARTITION TO THE ASSOCIATED VOLUME DEVICE OBJECT:
ACCESS IS DENIED”Then when you opened your command prompt you did not right-click and run as admin.
Working fine & smooth.thanks for the tutorial!
Thank you very much..it is working fine…..
im trying to make a usb with Win7 64bit my OS is Win7 32bit and i have problem in step 7.
system sayid:
version of F:\boot\bootsect.exe is proper with version running on this PC….anyone know what to do ??
correct:!!!!!
version F:\boot\bootsect.exe is NOT proper with….
Great guide. For those of us who are not builders or very familiar with computers, including a detailed step on how to change the boot priority in BIOS from HDD or CD to USB would make this guide complete…
Thanks for your time and effort on what is here though – Much appreciated!
Thanks! After trying a lot of “tutorials”, this one WORKED. I’ve finished installing my Asus 904 HD
Thanks again!
Thanks a lot!!!!
It worked good for me… Only thing you could further mention is that “diskpart doesnot recogonise removable storsge in xp” it works only in vista (or) win 7.
CD BOOT Problems you need to *press ctrl c then type the commands below 100% working for me now
D: CD BOOT and hit enter.Where “D” is your DVD drive letter.
CD BOOT and hit enter to see the below message.
superb expalanation…. anyone will easily understand…keep it up..
Excellent
Works great for me
Thanks
Really great!!!
This tips works fine for me.Thanks!
i cannot burn cds or photos onto a disc when i try it says put disc into cd drive d .Thanks if you can help me
Does it work in cmd 5.1 bro…? particularly in Windows xp service pack 3…..I tried but it doesn’t work……thank you
Hi
Thanks a lot for info.
Can I have both, vista and win7 on usb stick at the same time? Just out of interest.Thanks
I did this from a Windows 7 computer and was able to install Windows 7 from USB with no issues at all.
Well done!
I did this process on a SATA SSD 16gb harddrive I had, and it worked!
Thanks Alot man, This is very usefull for me…….
Thanks buddy……
Man, just worked like a charm in the second try. First try I had error “COULD NOT FIND MAP DRIVE PARTITION TO THE ASSOCIATED VOLUME DEVICE OBJECT:
ACCESS IS DENIED”Solution:
C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exeOn the pop-up right click context menu, select
“Run as Administrator”Repeated all the steps once again.. and Voila…
thanks a lot my Friend..
Thank you very much! Great detail!
I did all the steps up until 5 now I was wondering I don’t have Win 7 on a disk just on my hardrive can I just copy over to my USB at this point? and would I still have to change the Bios settings?
Hi, excellent instructions…I’m almost there but when i run format fs=ntfs I get the following error message right at the end of the format..
“100 percent completed”
“diskpart has encountered an error the parameter is incorrect”have you seen this before and if so any suggestions?
i’m on Vista
actually you can’t continue with the instructions, if you try assign you get “There is no volume specified. Please select a volume and try again”
When I put the usb in, it gets to the boot screen and says “BOOTMGR IS MISSING” and I’ve repeated the BOOTSECT steps already.
Thanks for the tutorial, it work perfectly.
i also have a WINDOWS 7 AIO DVD 33 in 1 i had put together and put that on a USB too, also works perfectly.
thanks again
TO AMOS
make sure you fill all details in CAPITAL LETTERS and just take your time to go through it again.
i hv problem with this technic.. the command sound like this..
“Could not map drive partitions to the associated volume device objects :
Access is denied. ”
someone please help me….
To Zaid
try to run cmd.exe as administrator and it will be fixed
u r the best men i think bcz u simply tell us the setp for install window frm usb.anybody easily do it. thanx for ue help.
You need to add > Type EXIT < To exit the diskpart after formatting. Like this:
5. Type EXIT to exit DISKPART
6. Maximize the minimized Command Prompt in the 4th step.Type the following command now:
D: CD BOOT and hit enter.Where “D” is your DVD drive letter.
Otherwise very helpful indeed
Thanks
Great article!
Helped my friend’s laptop
i gotta try vpc mode…………… tnx
LeAhCiM
THANK YOU… !!!
YOU ARE THE GREAT!
try dis guyz its vry easy
insert the usb flash drive hit any key depending your pc you have to go to the system bios
Works with doing a quick format aswell, as it takes long time to do a regular.
Super guide!
This excellent work / / / I will by experience
Try wintoflash and forget all your usb problem, all you need installation cd win7/vista/xp wintoflah and usb stick 4gb for 7/vista 2gb for xp… drivers and stripcan do it later.
now microsoft provide their own tool to create a bootable usb drive to install windows vista/7/2008/2008-R2
32 bit and 64 bit. This method works on both vista and win7. either 32 bit or 64 bit.
now because 64 bit capacity is more than 32 installation CD or DVD.
I have 16 GB card. On this card i have
win 98
win me
win professional 2000
win server 2003
win NT networks
win xp ( all in 1 ) home, professional, media center edit
win vista (all in 1)
win 7 ( all in 1 ) 32 bit and 64 bit is only win 7. above rest os are only 32 bit…
I have installed too many times on different system different os what customer ask for it. via using this memory card…..
simply booting and them select from the list what i need to install then after that setup for that windows will run up…..and so go on….
waqas _ akash AT yahoo DOT com if some one need please send me personal email….
tnx i like it
sir after installing windows i got error on pendrive that window was unable to format nw ho to format it into fat again.
Thanx man.. great work..
Thanks man. Worked a treat!
May be I am in biggest trouble of my life with computer, I was following your steps without knowing that my main backup data hdd (500gb) was attached and I follow all the steps till the formatting ….where I realized I have formatted the wrong one..and if I don’t get my data back I will be at zero….al my work and everything was in it n I don’t have a dvd back up as well…..i know it’s stupid fuc’ed up situation ……any help will be life saver….please pls…..get me out of this………..
@Setu
You can try EASEUS Data Recovery Wizard free edition to get back your data. I hope you will get back your data.
After copying is complete, delete the file ‘ei.cfg’ to make all Windows varients available.
or HP USB Format Tool
OMG, this works so well, thanks, i have tried so many other “guides” and they did work.
THANKS
To anyone else still having the error in DiskPart, you MUST right click the CMD shortcut within your Accessories folder and select RUN AS ADMINISTRATOR.
Otherwise, permission denied errors.
I put forward my warm thanks for the help this post provided me.
This process is working fine with windows 7
Thanks Again
Suneev
suneev.lpu@gmail.com
I’ve used this guide before with success, but it’s not working this time. Every time I type in “cd boot”, I get an error message stating “The system cannot find the path specified.” I’ve already tried two computers and I get the same message. I also tried replicating the exact steps I did the first time by using a virtual drive, but that isn’t working either. What’s wrong?
Thanks a lot for the excellent guide!
After step 7 it shows an error stating “Could not map drive partitions to the associated volume device objects: Access is denied”
Any idea how to solve this problem?
Thanks for the article, worked perfectly.
Thanks! Works great!
In the step 5 you had mentioned “insert your Windows7/Vista DVD into the optical drive” but what if i don’t have optical drive, i am unable to go further this step.
GREAT WORK THANK YOU !
Very well written guide, woks like charm
Thank you
This is a good article, but it has an error. It says:
> 6. Maximize the minimized Command Prompt in the 4th
> step. Type the following command now:
>
> D: CD BOOT and hit enter.Where “D” is your DVD drive
> letter.
>
> CD BOOT and hit enter to see the below message.What you meant to say was:
6. At the prompt, switch to your DVD drive. For example, if your DVD drive is drive D, type:
D:
…then press Enter.
7. Type CD BOOT and press Enter, to see the message below.
(I would make typing CD BOOT a separate step.) Cheers, Ander
I did this the first time and it worked fine- But i copied the wrong version of Win7 which had expired. Do i need to run command prompt again for the newer version or can i just copy the files over from the new DVD and go straight away?
for windows xp users format usb with petousb tool you can get by googling around and runbootsect as instructed , other wise boodsectis also available standalone on many websites to make usbs bootable .it even supports making xp bootable usb
HEY GUYS JUST MOUNT THE WIN 7 ISO FILE IN DEMONS TOOL IN XP AND INSTALL IT TO THE PARTITION U LIKE….THERE IS NO NEED TO USE ANY DVD OR USB PENDRIVE…….ANY PROBLEM!! MAIL ME satadruhalder@yahoo.co.in……..
Todo funcionó a la perfección.
Gracias !!
thank you………dis is very interesting..
work wonderfull on my external hard drive…
thank you.
Just awesome. Very nicely done, easy to understand and exactly what I was after.
Thanks, I used it on my Sony Vaio upgrade media on my NW180J
It worked perfectly.
Thanx a lot !!! work perfectly……… Use full for me….
EXCELLENT GUIDE THANK U VERY MUCH…it worked in first time
Sir,
At present I am using Windows XP which I would like to replace by Windows 7. Please help me to install Windows 7 on my computer.
Thanking you.
thank you post is very useful for me. but does it work?
I’m currently at the copying files to USB end stage. But for anyone who reads down here, make sure to check that you’ve selected the right disk in stage 4, one way to do this is by typing DETAIL DISK and hitting enter after the SELECT DISK 1 line, brings up a load of details and a volume list at the bottom, with name, size etc, mine was Disk 4.
(Using a different guide I manage to format my D:, good thing I’ve got a server backup. DON’T MAKE MY MISTAKE)
Hey,
Thanks a lot, this helped me to resolve my issue after a 5 days struggle
hi,anyone can help in bios settings,how it is done to select pendrive ..i cannot do it although i have new m/b and all above trick ..but i can’t detect my bootable drive…may i lack this idea…help me out …..thanks
I was a bit sceptical about this actually working. It just seemed too good to be true, this being Windows and all. But it actually works.
Like mentioned earlier it’s not possible to run bootsect from 32-bit windows on a 64-bit version.
Also, I had to run cmd as admin or else bootsect would complain about something I can’t remember atm.
OMG THANX !!!!!!!!! I HAD A MAJOR FKING ISSUE, ! AND BY JUST SAYING the first 2 commands the SETUP started and i was good to go
i found this article helpful because recently i had problems with usb and booting. THANKS
Don’t know why everyone post hard guides with cmd promt. There is a program directly from Microsoft to do that same thing in 3 clicks. It also works on pirate/cracked copy of windows 7 .
Download and guide: http://store.microsoft.com/Help/ISO-Tool
Thank you so much for this tutorial. It was easy and helped things run much more smoothly. What a relief!
This guide didnt work for me. When I try to boot the USB drive it just says “invalid partition table” and halts.
I fixed it, it didnt have anything to do with this guide. If you get the error “invalid partition table” try configuring your usb drive to load as hddd and not removable/fdd.
it works on 16 Gb USB Disk ???
there is a maximum size of USB Disk ? 10x for answer
There is always an easy way, download the tool from windows website and vollla sit back and relax it will do everything for you !!!
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