Boot Windows 7 and 8 from USB stick - how it works
Related Videos: Create windows 7/8/8.1/10 bootable USB flash drive with RUFUS 3.1 easily_2018 (May 2024).
Windows 7 and 8 can be easily installed on a USB stick with a tool and then booted from there. We'll show you how it's done.
Preparation for the bootable USB stick with Windows 7 or 8
- Operating system: Ideally, you have the Windows version on DVD. The product key is required for later registration. But even if you don't have the DVD, you can do it differently.
- Download ISO: First you need the ISO file of your Windows version and the appropriate activation key. You can download the following versions from us: Windows 7 Professional (32 bit), Windows 7 Professional (64 bit), Windows 7 Home Premium (32 bit), Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit), Windows 8 Enterprise (32 bit), Windows 8 Enterprise (64 bit).
- Not sure how much bit your system has? In our practical tip video, we explain how you can find out:
- USB stick: To ensure that Windows runs smoothly, we advise you to use a USB stick with USB 3.0. A relatively fast USB 2.0 stick is also sufficient. USB 2.0 is sufficient for external hard drives. With the 32-bit version of Windows, the memory should be 16 GB, with the 64-bit version with 32 GB.
- WinToUSB: Download the WinToUSB software and install it. The small tool brings the ISO file of the Windows version to your USB stick.
Boot Windows 7 and 8 from USB stick
- Start WinToUSB and select the path where the ISO file is located or the drive in which the DVD is located.
- In the next step, select the USB stick or external hard drive on which Windows will be installed.
- The boot and system partition will then be displayed. Click on both selection points.
- Clicking "Next" installs Windows on the USB stick. Depending on the medium, the process can take up to two hours.
- When the process is complete, the USB stick is ready for use. Insert the USB stick into any PC and start it, then Windows is booted from the USB stick.
Notes on using Windows from a stick
- BIOS / UEFI: So that Windows is really started from the USB stick, you must specify in the BIOS or UEFI that the USB stick is loaded before the hard disk. We have already explained in other practical tips how to open the BIOS under Windows 7 and the UEFI under Windows 8.
- Boot sequence: If you have reached the BIOS or UEFI, you have to change the boot sequence there. We show you how this works in this practical tip.
- Note: The first time you start a new PC, the portable Windows takes a little longer to start because the hardware is recognized first. Windows may also restart a little more often.
Tip: In our picture gallery we have explained the process again with numerous pictures. We'll also tell you how to install Windows 7 on a PC from a USB stick.