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Thread: Windows 7 on a USB Drive?

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    Windows 7 on a USB Drive?

    Unless I'm mistaken, you cannot buy Windows 7 on a USB stick? Only in Disc format. If this is so, is there any way I can transfer the whole OS onto a memory stick to boot from there? I don't really use optical discs anymore and would be buying a drive just for this purpose. Thanks!

  2. #2
    Splash
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    Re: Windows 7 on a USB Drive?

    Microsoft have a tool that will prep a USB key from the Win7 ISO file. Google Windows 7 usb download, should find what you need.

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    Re: Windows 7 on a USB Drive?


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    Re: Windows 7 on a USB Drive?

    Thanks very much for the replies!

    I did Google search it and it came up with some results beforehand, but the link that Funkstar provided was much more helpful than the others! Thank you very much

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    Re: Windows 7 on a USB Drive?

    Or, just use this (which is also what Splash is suggesting)?

    http://emea.microsoftstore.com/UK/en...-Download-Tool

    That's what I've been using for a few years now, albeit from an pre-existing ISO file.

    This is all assuming that you're wanting to install it from a USB drive (rather than boot Windows per se).
    Last edited by FatalSaviour; 11-10-2011 at 03:38 PM. Reason: Saw Splash's recommendation
    Quote Originally Posted by Noni
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    Re: Windows 7 on a USB Drive?

    Quote Originally Posted by FatalSaviour View Post
    Or, just use this (which is also what Splash is suggesting)?

    http://emea.microsoftstore.com/UK/en...-Download-Tool

    That's what I've been using for a few years now, albeit from an pre-existing ISO file.

    This is all assuming that you're wanting to install it from a USB drive (rather than boot Windows per se).
    I want to install W7, the boot it from the HDD from then on, so yes that's fine. Thanks!

    One thing I wanted to ask - will this process work with an OEM copy of Windows?

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    Re: Windows 7 on a USB Drive?

    Yes, because they only difference between OEM and retail copies of Windows is the license. This was covered is one of your other threads

  8. #8
    Splash
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    Re: Windows 7 on a USB Drive?

    Quote Originally Posted by FatalSaviour View Post
    Or, just use this (which is also what Splash is suggesting)?

    http://emea.microsoftstore.com/UK/en...-Download-Tool

    That's what I've been using for a few years now, albeit from an pre-existing ISO file.

    This is all assuming that you're wanting to install it from a USB drive (rather than boot Windows per se).
    Aye, that's the one, I was on my phone on a train so couldn't dig out the full URL at the time

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    Re: Windows 7 on a USB Drive?

    Quote Originally Posted by Funkstar View Post
    Yes, because they only difference between OEM and retail copies of Windows is the license. This was covered is one of your other threads
    Indeed it was, but I was concerned that copying the OS in any way, even to a USB to install and then remove it from that USB afterwards, would count as a second copy of the OS. Since OEM is single use, I just wanted to make sure once again, but clearly I'm incorrect. I'm so pumped for my first build by the way! Will hopefully order tomorrow

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    Re: Windows 7 on a USB Drive?

    The installer is not the same as the OS itself.

    Once you have accepted the license terms of the OEM OS, it is tied to that hardware. Where that OS was installed from is immaterial, the license refers to an installed and running OS.

    So no, having a installer on a different piece of media than it came on does not count as two installs. This would be the same for a retail OS as well, it can only be installed on one system at a time.

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    Re: Windows 7 on a USB Drive?

    Quote Originally Posted by Funkstar View Post
    The installer is not the same as the OS itself.

    Once you have accepted the license terms of the OEM OS, it is tied to that hardware. Where that OS was installed from is immaterial, the license refers to an installed and running OS.

    So no, having a installer on a different piece of media than it came on does not count as two installs. This would be the same for a retail OS as well, it can only be installed on one system at a time.

    I see. So I can copy the installer to a different medium, to install the actual OS itself... But I cannot install that OS several times, since OEM is tied to a particular set of hardware. Correct?

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    Re: Windows 7 on a USB Drive?

    i now use xbootvs1.0beta14

    i have windows, memtest and kaspersky rescue disk all from a bootable menu.
    Last edited by peterb; 12-10-2011 at 09:50 AM.

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    Re: Windows 7 on a USB Drive?

    Quote Originally Posted by Eggbert View Post
    I see. So I can copy the installer to a different medium, to install the actual OS itself... But I cannot install that OS several times, since OEM is tied to a particular set of hardware. Correct?
    Correct.

    And just to clarify, even with a retail license, you have to effectively de-register one system before registering another system with the same key. It can only be on one PC at a time.

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    Re: Windows 7 on a USB Drive?

    Quote Originally Posted by Eggbert View Post
    I see. So I can copy the installer to a different medium, to install the actual OS itself... But I cannot install that OS several times, since OEM is tied to a particular set of hardware. Correct?
    You can make 50 copies of your Windows DVD (ignoring EULA guff) but activate it exactly once, at which time it's tied to the hardware you activated it on.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Product_Activation
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