Boot Windows 7 directly from a USB drive (run Win7 from a USB drive)

Do you have a notebook with a faulty hard disk? Maybe you want to buy an external USB hard disk and install Windows onto that so you can boot from an external USB hard disk?
This video shows how to make a USB drive that will allow a system to boot Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 from it. See http://www.rmprepusb.com
This video is not about how to make a USB drive to install Windows onto another system's internal hard disk, it is about actually booting Windows from a USB disk.
IMPORTANT: You need to install the Windows AIK after you download the ISO file. Mount the ISO file using Virtual Cone Drive CD (or burn a DVD from the ISO) and run StartCD.exe. Then run Windows AIK Setup from the WAIK menu. You may need to also install .Net Framework and MSXML too depending on your system.
A USB flash (pen) drive can be used (16GB or larger) but it is very slow. An external USB hard disk is better and 4 to 5 times faster. This procedure also works with Vista or Server 2K8.
Once you have booted it to Windows, you cannot use it on a different system unless you 'sysprep' it. Use the 'sysprep for new system' Desktop icon if you need to boot it on a different system.
To improve the disk performance once booted, enable disk write caching for the USB disk in Device Manager (Policies tab - Better Performance).
DO NOT INSTALL the SP1 update if you have installed the first release onto your USB drive - the SP1 update will make the USB hard disk unbootable afterwards (BSOD). You can install most other hotfixes, updates and drivers though (but avoid mass storage/SATA/IDE/Hard Disk drivers).

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• windows
• external USB
• USB flash
• pen drive
• boot from USB
• windows 7

[mrburtugey]

I am using windows 8 Developer Preview it states not compatible when I try to choose the number in the installer

[steve6375]

@mrburtugey Windows 8 supports booting from USB directly - you do not need this method for Windows 8 - please read Tutorial #53 on rmprepusb website

[agentfifty]

Hi, will I be able to get some data of my hard disk (says does not exist at startup) if I create this usb boot disk? thanks!

[steve6375]

@agentfifty Probably not. Instead create a USB Flash drive which will run TESTDISK. Create an Ultimate Boot CD (UBCD) bootable USB flash drive

google for UBCD and RMPrepUSB

Then boot from the USB FLash drive and run TestDisk which is in the UBCD menu under HDD

google for TestDisk_Step_By_Step for instructions

[laparuza]

can i boot my usb flash drive without hard disk? cause my laptop has no hard disk (damaged)

thnks!

[steve6375]

@laparuza Yes, but it will be VERY VERY SLOW and not really usable - you will also need a 32GB or larger pen drive and will run out of space soon anyway. If you have a USB Hard drive it will be much faster (but not as fast as the internal hard disk).

[MySchoolProject418]

@ThePS3AndroidHacker I Will Make A video of that for you give me some days and will do it

[steve6375]

@ThePS3AndroidHacker The sysprep link should appear on the Desktop when you boot. It's use is explained in Tutorial #30 Addendum on the website.

[ThePS3AndroidHacker]

Just wanted to say thanks for the excellent video and I am now subscribing to you! You successfully helped me to install my Windows 7 Professional to my old external harddrive via USB! Could you make a video on sysprep for us subscribers PLEASE!? I'm trying to understand the sysprep a little more so that I may use this on my old Dell running Windows XP Pro but booting from the USB drive. Thanks again for everything brother!!

[steve6375]

@derpnerpwerp Formatting with RMPrepUSB automatically sets the active partition (unless you tick the 'Set partition as non-bootable' box. See 1:02 in video.