win7 for netbooks

Want to install Windows 7 on your Windows XP netbook, but don’t feel like buying the Windows 7 installation disc and a USB DVD drive to do it? Microsoft is now offering netbook users a way to download the operating system directly to a PC and use a USB Flash drive to install it.

Here’s how it works. First, you visit the Windows 7 for Netbooks page and purchase and download the version of Windows 7 you’re interested in. You can choose Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, or Windows 7 Ultimate. Windows 7 Starter isn’t an option.

Once you’ve downloaded disc image, you can use the new Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool (WUDT) to copy the installation files to a 4GB or larger USB flash drive and then use that USB stick to install the operating system.

via CNET and ZDNet

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15 replies on “Microsoft to launch tool for installing Windows 7 from a USB flash drive”

  1. Why in the heck would this require the .NET framework? Just another way of getting it installed on more systems.

    1. Considering that most people would probably be installing this over the system they just installed the .NET framework to, your point is pretty much a moot point… Plus 7 ships with .NET 3.5.

      You seem to be against the .NET framework, but I doubt you really know what it does or allows programmers and programs to do. Try doing some reading before making comments like that.

      1. I would argue most people would set up the USB drive on a desktop, not the netbook they will ultimately install Windows 7.

        I am not really concerned what .NET allows programmers to do. I do know it has personally given me grief.

        1. Then delete it!
          Then delete C++ Runtime files too (msvcrt*.dll)
          Then delete that useless System32 and WinSxS dirs.

          Then… be happy finally =)

  2. It would be really nice if they sold it already on an USB flash drive instead of doing the software that converts it from .iso to usb drive.

    I have a Vista Acre Aspire but I am running out of space on the hard drive. I doubt I could download it to convert to usb.

  3. So this can’t be used with the DVD media? This sounds like a fantastic tool, but I pre-orderd a standard DVD version when they where selling them for half off. Maybe if you made an image of the retail DVD…

    1. You should be able to generate an ISO of the retail DVD and use the tool to create a bootable USB device. Also, if you want to return your pre-ordered DVD and get the download version, you can still get it for the original price as long as you do this within 30 days of the DVD shipping.

      1. All you need is this little app; https://wintoflash.com/home/en/

        That’ll put all the files from the DVD onto your usb drive and make it bootable, I used it it yesterday to convert my Win 7 Home Premium (Family Pack) DVD so I could install it on my little Aspire one, works a treat.

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