Installing operating system from usb drive

Run the installation tool. Double-click the "MediaCreationTool" EXE file, click Yes when prompted, accept any terms, and fill out any on-screen sections until you get to the installation section. As part of the installation tool, you'll be prompted to select a language, an edition of Windows, and an architecture for the setup process. Make sure to use the same architecture here as you found in step two of this part.

Create your bootable flash drive. Once the installation section of the Media Creation Tool window opens, click the "Create installation media" checkbox, click Next , select your computer's language, edition, and architecture, click Next , click the flash drive's name, and click Next. Wait for the flash drive setup to complete. This may take several minutes.

Once all of the setup files have downloaded or pasted into the flash drive, you can proceed with changing your computer's boot order.

Part 2. Download the Windows disk image. Open the Windows 8. This will prompt the disk image ISO file to download. Make the flash drive bootable.

If you're installing Windows 8. Add the ISO to the flash drive. The ISO file will appear on the flash drive after a few minutes, after which point you can proceed with changing your computer's boot order. Part 3. Download the Windows 7 disk image. Open the Windows 7 download page , scroll down, enter your Windows 7 product key and click Verify , select a language and click Confirm , and click either Bit Download or Bit Download in the middle of the page.

If you don't have your Windows 7 product key, you'll need to purchase one before you can download Windows 7. Open the Windows Download Tool page. This tool allows you to install an ISO file, such as your Windows 7 or 8. Scroll down and click Download. It's an orange button near the bottom of the page. Select your preferred language for the download tool.

Check the box next to the version of the download tool you want to use. For example, you would select the tool with a name ending in "EN" for an English version of the tool. Click Next. It's at the bottom of the page. Install the tool. Double-click the setup file you just downloaded, then do the following to complete the installation: Click Next Click Install Click Finish when prompted. Run the tool. Double-click the Windows 7 Download Tool app icon on your desktop, then click Yes when prompted.

Select your downloaded ISO file. It's in the bottom-right corner of the window. Select your flash drive. Click USB device , then select your flash drive in the drop-down box in the middle of the window if you don't see it listed. If you don't see your flash drive appear in the drop-down menu, make sure it's plugged into your computer and then click the Refresh button to the right of the drop-down box. Click Begin copying. Doing so will prompt your Windows 7 ISO file to begin installing onto the flash drive.

Allow the tool to run. Once the progress bar in the middle of the window reaches percent, your USB flash drive has successfully been formatted as a Windows 7 installation drive, and you're free to proceed with changing your computer's boot order. Part 4. Go to the computer on which you want to install Windows. If you're merely trying to install a new version of Windows on your existing computer, skip this step.

This thread is locked. You can follow the question or vote as helpful, but you cannot reply to this thread. I have the same question Report abuse. Details required :.

Cancel Submit. Andre Da Costa Article Author. Preparing the. ISO file for installation. See instructions for burning. Starting the installation.

Click Install Now Wait while setup starts up. How satisfied are you with this reply? Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site. It usually will tell you on the top right of the screen when your computer starts. Press the escape key and choose save and exit. Your computer should now boot from your flash drive. Congratulations you can now install an operating system from a flash drive! Note: I am not a part of the universal usb installer and all rights go to the owner s.

The wikiHow Tech Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. This article has been viewed , times. You can install an operating system onto a flash drive and use it like a portable computer by using Rufus on Windows or the Disk Utility on Mac.

Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow.

Download Article Explore this Article methods. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Method 1. Different manufacturers use different types of BIOS in their computers. Purchase an appropriate USB flash drive. You will want a flash drive with at least 16GB capacity. USB 2. Download the "disk image" of the operating system you want to install. The file you'll need to download is called an ISO.

Download and open Rufus. Rufus is a self-contained program and does not need to be installed -- only downloaded and opened. Connect your USB flash drive to the computer. An ISO disk image is digital file containing the contents of a disk - in this case the operating system you will install. Click the disk icon and select your downloaded disk image. The disk icon is located to the right of the dropdown where you selected ISO image.