Tuesday, October 11, 2011

How to Create Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7 USB Installer

Creating Windows USB Installer is a must when installing Windows OS on a  system with no optical drive like netbooks. If you don't have USB DVD-ROM for example you can settle with a USB Thumb Drive as a replacement.

Follow this simple instruction and everything is point and click. No more DOS command like other tutorials out there.

Tools needed in creating a Windows USB Installer:
  • Download WinToFlash (extract the zip file)
  • Windows Installer "XP, Vista or Seven" (DVD, CD or ISO)
  • USB Flash Drive (Minimum recommended is 4Gig)

WinToFlash is a free utility that will create Windows USB Installer. It supports XP,  Vista and Seven. Although there are other utilities with same functionality but the WinToFlash is by far the simplest and user friendly. You don't need to be a technie to make one USB installer if you use this app. In my example I use Windows 7 and I also tested in XP both OS works and installed flawlessly.



How to Create Windows XP or Windows 7 USB Bootable Installer:

  1. Insert your DVD Windows Installer to your optical drive. (I assume this is your spare laptop or desktop).
  2. Execute the WinToFlash.exe
  3. Use the Wizard Mode
  4. Locate your Windows Installation Path
  5. Click Next and will copy everything, including the boot files needed for USB to become Bootable.
  6. Wait for few minutes as it's copying.

  • If you are using DVD Installer locate your DVD ROM.
  • If you are using ISO, mount your ISO (I use PowerISO or Daemon Tools)
  • If you have extracted Windows Installer, locate your Folder
Bonus:

How to Set USB as the first Device to Boot:
1. Reboot your Machine
2. Go to BIOS Settings (press F2 or Delete Key) during POST (Power On Self Test)
3. Go to BOOT Configuration Menu
4. Set your USB Removable Device as the First Device to load during Boot.
5. Save your Configuration and Exit (reboot).

Note:If you set the device properly, the system will locate the boot info in your USB Flash Drive and it will load the OS.



No comments: