Windows 7 - Creating USB Installation Drive

This shows you how to create a USB drive that can boot the Windows 7 setup and install from the USB drive. All data on the drive will be lost.

Commands I used:
diskpart
list disk
select disk # (# is your USB drive listed)
clean
create partition primary
select partition 1
active
format fs=ntfs
assign

In the boot folder:
bootsect /nt60 %: (% being the drive letter of your USB)


FAQ:
1. Q. Does it matter about the size of the drive?
A. Yes, you need 4 GB or more.

2. Q. Are you able to do this in XP?
A. As far as I know, yes. However, I'm unable to confirm that at this time.

3. Q. Am I able to reverse what I did to my drive and still use it as a regular drive for storage?
A. You can still use your drive as storage. You don't have to reverse what you did to the partition and bootsector as far as storage and use for other things. The computer only cares when you're booting up and your drive is in, and the computer is set to boot USB.

4. Q. How do I boot to USB?
A. Most BIOS are different. Some can use a special key to open a boot menu (example, I use F11). However, if the computer doesn't offer a key to do so, go into your BIOS (which is usually DEL, some are F1, I don't know why. Kind of stupid.) and edit your boot order. Read your motherboard manual for more information. Please note, some systems cannot boot USB.

5. Q. What benefits are gained from doing a USB install instead of disc?
A. Many, actually. It eliminates the need for a DVD drive to install, and plus, it has room for editing, so in case you build a windows 7 disc that has built in updates/drivers, it can be easy to test the install without having to burn discs constantly. Another benefit is that the duration of the installation is decreased.

6. Q. I'm getting permission denied errors...
A. Make sure you right click and click 'run as administrator' on the command prompt.

7. Q. I started in C:\Windows\system32, and I don't know how to get to my user folder. I type cd desktop and it doesn't work.
A. As I've stated in a previous video, I on purposely turn off UAC. I don't need it, as it's just another obstacle in my way to be productive. Having UAC off when I run a command prompt allows me to be in an administrative command prompt and be in my users folder at the same time. In the tutorial, I actually right clicked and ran as administrator for the people who leave UAC on. If you're stuck in C:\Windows\system32, do these in order:

cd ..
cd ..
cd users
cd username (this should be your username)
cd Desktop (to get to the desktop)

8. Can I have your background?
A. Debatable topic.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• windows
• ultimate
• usb
• install
• installation
• drive
• disk
• disc
• desktop
• boot
• up
• bootsect
• bootmgr
• bootable
• diskpart
• partition
• manager

[vikhyat1]

hey... i dont have much space on C drive so my windows setup is in E, so i gave command :-

E:

e:\cd windows 7 disc

e:\cd windows 7 disc\cd boot

e:\cd windows 7 disc\boot>bootsect /nt60 g:

Target volumes will be updated with BOOTMGR compatible bootcode.

could not map drive partitions to the associated volume device object:

access is denied.

DS IS MY ERROR.. pls help! :(

[StarCraftSportsNet]

@vikhyat1 Run the command prompt as administrator.

[seungtaekz]

hmm what if you didn't have a windows 7 Disc folder on you desktop?

[StarCraftSportsNet]

@seungtaekz If you were looking at the beginning notes of the video, I stated you needed a windows 7 disc for this. My windows 7 folder was a disc I put on the desktop.

[1122slickliverpool]

hey I have a question man? I have the

C:\Windows\system32>

When I ran

C:\Windows\system32>cd..

C:\Windows>cd..

C:\>cd user (last command)

I get the "The system cannot find the path specified" on the last command

What should I do???

[StarCraftSportsNet]

@1122slickliverpool It's `users`

[thechazinator2]

after i enter cd boot i get the error "the system cannot find the path specified." i am not sure what to do here so any advice is appreciated

[PspDude20]

whats that program ur using to record ur desktop with?

[MrProfessorPain]

You talk very quiet, just so you know. Very helpful video.

[thundershock713]

So if I created this bootable USB on a computer that already has windows, I could boot that USB on a computer I just built?

[mikaeel11]

ur video's been helpul for me but plz tell me if u have renamed the windows 7 desktop file

[TheTheAyberk]

You have a SSD?And your computer is very fast.

[TheTheAyberk]

thanks ;) you are cool

[hanonymous92]

do you play ut 2004 ?

[manipul8ion]

Im running win vista 32 bit and i wont to upgrade to win 7 ultimate 64 bit but it wont let me i always get an error saying that i i cant run 64bit on 32 bit and i know there a way to upgrade please reply im lost!

[memassive6969]

where did you get that background?

message me the website

[Dark07Raven]

dude nxt time try zooming in @_@

[StarCraftSportsNet]

@thecrackerdance It will not mess up the booting. You can easily make the USB be normal again. And you can move the installation back over to the USB if you feel like installing again without doing this process. And no, I do not need a "smaller file". My other tutorial explains how to remove images from WIM files. This in turn makes them smaller. Keeping just professional over a regular DVD actually frees up over 1GB of space to be used for further storage on a DVD or USB drive.

[thecrackerdance]

hey bro does putting all my files back into my usb after i do this will it mess up with the booting? and if u want bro i can give u a smaller file so u dont need to use a 4 gig flash. email me at sam11252@live.com or message on youtube.

[Skunkybiffta]

Nice to see a fan of Gary Tonge's artwork in the background ;]

[StarCraftSportsNet]

@angieheartchicago A free partition manager.

[angieheartchicago]

@StarCraftSportsNet What's that?

[StarCraftSportsNet]

@angieheartchicago Try using EASEUS.

[angieheartchicago]

@StarCraftSportsNet I tried that as well. It formatted my flashdrive for 8 hours to NTFS and at the end all it did was pop up with an error message saying "Windows was unable to complete the format."

[StarCraftSportsNet]

@angieheartchicago 64 GB is too big for fat32. Do not do a quick format. Leave the quick format box unchecked.