Microsoft to launch tool for installing Windows 7 from a USB flash drive

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


Posted on Thursday, October 22nd, 2009, 3:03 pm by Brad
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  • BoloMKXXVIII
    Why in the heck would this require the .NET framework? Just another way of getting it installed on more systems.
  • Ray
    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.
  • BoloMKXXVIII
    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.
  • fduch
    Then delete it!
    Then delete C++ Runtime files too (msvcrt*.dll)
    Then delete that useless System32 and WinSxS dirs.

    Then... be happy finally =)
  • 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.
  • onlineaddy
    The actual link for the tool is here:

    http://store.microsoft.com/Help/ISO-Tool
  • Thanks, I'd been looking for that!
    Post updated.
  • MrPerfect
    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...
  • Zac
    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.
  • All you need is this little app; http://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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