Easiest way to install Windows with a USB flash drive

WinToFlash

This article shows you how to install Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8 on a computer using a USB flash drive. This lets you install Windows on a netbook or another computer that may not have a disc drive. You’ll still need a computer with an optical disc drive and a Windows XP installation disc in order to prepare the flash drive though.

A few years ago I wrote a long, complicated tutorial explaining how to install Windows XP on a netbook without a CD-ROM drive. It’s still a pretty good resource if you want to understand the process. But it turns out there are now easier ways. Much easier ways.

If you’re trying to install Windows 7 or Windows 8, the simplest method is to use Microsoft’s official Windows 7 USB/DVD tool to transfer the Windows installation files to an 8GB or larger flash drive. You can check out our guide for installing Windows 8 on a netbook for step-by-step instructions.

Installing Windows XP using a USB flash drive is a bit trickier, since Microsoft doesn’t offer an official tool. That’s where a free app called WinToFlash comes in. You can use it to transfer the Windows XP installation files to a USB flash drive and then use that stick to install Windows. The latest versions of WinToFlash also support Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8, but it’s the Windows XP feature that really stands out.

Here’s how to use WinToFlash to install Windows XP on a netbook or any computer without a disc drive. You’ll need a Windows installation disc, a 2GB or larger USB flash drive, and a separate computer that does have a disc drive so that you can copy the installation files to your flash drive. (Alternately, if you have a Windows XP ISO file instead of a disc, you can mount it as a virtual drive using SlySoft CloneDrive or a similar app).

Preparing the USB flash drive

1. Download WinToFlash from the developer website or from SoftPedia.

2. Unzip the file to a folder on your computer.

3. Navigate to that folder and double-click on WinToFlash.exe

WinToFlash_1

4. The first time you run WintoFlash you’ll go through a startup wizard.

Click “next” on the Welcome menu to continue
Check the box that says you agree to the EULA and then click “next” to continue.

If you’ve paid for a license you can enter it now — but you don’t need a license to install Windows XP. Just click “next” if you don’t have one.
Keep clicking “next” until you finish the wizard.
This should take you to the main menu, where you can either follow the setup wizard or click the “Advanced” tab if you want to customize your options. We’ll be sticking with the wizard for now.

5. Click the big check box to start the Wizard.

WinToFlash

6. Select “next.”

7. Make sure you’ve inserted your Windows installation disc into the disc drive and a USB flash drive into the USB port.

8. Select the appropriate drive letters for your Windows disc and USB flash drive and then click “next.”

WinToFlash

9. Accept the license agreement and click “Continue.

10. WinToFlash will now copy all the files from your Windows disc to your flash drive and prepare it so that you can boot from the flash drive.

11. When the progress bar reaches the end and the word “Finished” appears, you can click the “next” and then “exit” buttons to end the program.

Booting from the USB flash drive.

Now you should be able to use the USB flash drive instead of a CD or DVD to install Windows. But you’ll need to make sure your computer can boot from a flash drive. Unfortunately there’s no one-size-fits-all way to do this.

In general, what you’ll need to do is:

Turn off your computer.
Plug in the USB flash drive.
Turn on the computer by pressing the power button.
When you see the splash screen or BIOS menu (and before Windows starts to load), hit a special function key (this is often Esc, F1, F10, or Del).

This will typically either get you into a boot device menu or the BIOS settings where you should be able to select the device you want to boot from or adjust the boot order. In other words, your computer may normally try to boot first from a hard disk, then from a USB flash drive. You want to reverse the order, save the changes, and then boot your computer again — this time without hitting Esc, F1, or what have you.

If all goes according to plan, you should soon see a “Windows loading” message on your screen and you can follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows on your computer.

Thanks to Lee at Download Squad for introducing me to WinToFlash.

Related:

Posted on Thursday, August 27th, 2009, 2:37 pm by Brad Linder | 55 Comments

BoloMKXXVIII

Great find!
Josef_T

Thanks for that Info, looks easy, will give him a try with Win XP on my 900 when my new Runcore comes.
http://twitter.com/mbudden Matthew Budden

i wish this was posted yesterday… when I needed to install XP on my Mini… it took me forever to search for a guide… LOL
Jon Wright

Excellent! Note for us nLite users or those who have backed up the disk to an iso on the hard drive you could probably utilize this tool in conjunction with a virtual cd solution such as Daemon Tools rather than fiddling with CDs. I've yet to try this but fingers crossed.
http://www.facebook.com/andrius.pastuskovas Andrius Pastuskovas

cool it works, thanks very much
Frank

If you have an ISO, it's even easier:

Download ISO to USB/DVD tool directly from Microsoft:
http://images2.store.microsoft.com/prod/cluster…

Three clicks (choose ISO, choose USB drive, run) and you got youself a bootbale USB drive.
macravin

If it doesn't work,
http://techline4teens.com/archives/102
almost always will
http://ghawyy.com/forum ahmed elsayed

i wish it work cos its 5 days i try to install windows in my notebook and i failed (
http://ghawyy.com/forum ahmed elsayed

i wish it work cos its 5 days i try to install windows in my notebook and i failed (
Techline Found Something Sweet

Seriously, check this one out,
http://techline4teens.com/archives/102
it lets you have multiple partitions, just like areal CD drive. In fact, just as good. Great Find!
Dan

I used this to install XP on my Satellite T115D-S1125. It was shipped with Windows 7, but XP runs better on this machine for what I use it for. Great joob!
gher

The simpler way to install XP from USB is FlashBoot
http://www.prime-expert.com/flashboot/
Jow

awsum i think im gonna gonna try the usb flash to install windows on my mini hp…
Jhunrey

thanks a lot for this….
hope_4_ever

I will definitely try this. I was told there was no way to do it, and they called me stupid for asking if there was. =/ Glad I kept looking!
Gurmeet singh

if system has no usb boot option then ……..
Forever123_

I wanna know if it the same steps to instal windows xp sweet in netbook??
Andrewhudders123

thanks for this great
Christofer_jon_quinto

thanks ill try this
Skullman4ever

I came across this video yesterday, maybe it could be helpful

Install Windows XP on a Netbook
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-q-Dt1EeCHM
Comnoiuradu

That means your system has a dvd drive, so you can install Windows from dvd
Tjunkie

trying this as i type .. its installing atm .. i have tried other methods .. like usb muliboot but didnt get any where … hopefully this one works .. trying to reinstall xp on my asus eee pc 1005HA ..
Shabazsayz

fake…….!!!! :p
not not accepting iso file….messege apperd not a valid iso
Psionic1992

I got a question! Now, I got a 500 GB external HDD, I lost my USB and I need to install new Windows on my Netbook… Will this software format my entire HDD or will it leave the files as they are? Thank you.
Aggravated & Frustrated!

I just want my computer to down load this crap for me! why can’t my computer just do it for me why do i need to be some type of computer whiz & go through all this bull crap I don’t even own adobe flash player and my stupid computer is telling me just in order to join a chat room I normally go into with no problem, that I must install a flash policy daemon, then you look at how to install it and totally get lost!!!! what the____! Come on all ready isn’t there a way my computer can just download this for me without having to do it myself? Any other thing I ever downloaded my computer does for me! So why must I do this crap on my own!
Silver_cold169

yeah why cant everything just be done for me so i dont have to do any work or figure anything out ever! i want to be spoon fed too! i hate lifting my arms all the way up to my mouth every time i want to eat something!
Ann 0340

I have copied the Windows XP disc to my flash drive and now I don’t know what to do. The items your instructions talk about don’t seem to be there. My level of frustration has reached a very high level and I’m about to throw that notebook out the window. I bought an HP notebook without an operating system and I’m not having much luck getting one installed.
http://www.liliputing.com Brad Linder

What item specifically are you looking for that you’re not finding?

What you need to do next is convince your computer to boot from the USB flash drive the same way it would boot from a CD or DVD. This means turning off your computer, plugging in the USB flash drive, and then hitting the appropriate key on your keyboard to bring up the boot options menu or BIOS settings.

The steps for doing this will vary from computer to computer.
Anonymous

Thanks,

Online marketing
Anonymous

clearly having an iphone has taken away your thinking capability
http://www.facebook.com/people/Leslie-Dean-Brown/700118503 Leslie Dean Brown

Yes, it’s called apple.
Chance

boot from the NIC
Sergiu

Thanks,it helped a lot!
Aus Bushman

I get a “Disk boot failure, insert system disk and press enter” error upon booting from the flash drive.
Henry Ndele

i have tried and it is not working
154443

Nike Lebron shoes andNike ZOOM LeBron new burberry replica burberry lebron 8 v2i want to look some pandora jewellery; pandora jewellery beads cheap nfl jerseys or jersey supply and religion jeans, you can leave a email to me! thank you! nike air max 2011 white air max nike griffey max religions jeans true religions jeans white nike air max,cheap griffey shoes,cheap air max 2011,Nike air max Tn true religion jeans outlet bears jersey blackhawks jersey ken griffey shoes air griffey max ken griffey jr shoes
air griffey max 2 lebron 8 south beach,Nike Griffey max,Nike TN 2011,Nike air max skyline,bape shoes,Adidas Shoes 2011,Air Griffey Max Fury 2012,Air Jordan High Heels,black Air Jordan Shoes,Air Jordan Wool Boots
Jordan CMFT Max 12Leather,cheap Jordan Sandals,Ken Griffey Jr Jerseys,Ken Griffey Shoes 2011,lebron 8 south beach
Nike ZOOM LeBron Nike Lebron shoes lebron 8 v2 Nike Air Max LeBron 8 V2 Ken Griffey Shoes Womens,cheap Pandora Necklaces cheap Pandora Rings cheap Pandora Sets cheap Pondora Packages tiffany co outlet,pandora outlets herve leger bandage dresses moncler down jacket moncler doudounes moncler coat cheap moncler jacket Nike ACG Boots sale,cheap Nike Aina Chukka,Nike Air 1/2 Cent Penny,Nike Ken Griffey Shoes
Nike TN 2011 shoes
detroit lions jersey</a
cheap authentic jerseys
cheap nfl jerseys
youth nfl jerseys
nfl jerseys wholesale
religion jeans outlet
true religion store
true religions
true religion billy
true religion men
men Bootcut jeans
men Flare jeans
men Skinny jeans
straight leg jean
true religion women
women bootcut jeans
women Flare jeans
cut off jeans shorts
girls skinny jeans
straight legs jeans
nike shox shoes
sb dunks
true religion joey
true religions jeans
true religion men jeans
cheap religion jeans
cheap true religion men jeans
true religion boys jeans
true religion billy mens
true religion cargo pants
true religion corduroy jeans
true religion capris
true religion joey jeans
cheap religion jeans
true religion mens skinny
True Religion Straight Leg
true religion womens jeans
true religion denim jeans
true religion denim shorts
true religion straight leg jeans
True Religion Wide Leg
skinny bootcut jeans
True Religion lizzy
True Religion joey rainbow
True Religion casey legging
True Religion lone star
True Religion stella

True Religion shirts for women

true religion brand
cheap true religion jeans
true religion brand jeans
true religion uk
moncler vest
moncler uk
moncler women jackets
moncler men jackets
moncler down jackets
moncler down coat
moncler jacket
cheap moncler
Vince Hollis

I like WinSetup-1-0-beta7 better because it lets you install multiple operating systems all from the same usb, windows 7, vista, or xp.

http://www.techtipsgeek.com/create-multiboot-usb-drive-install-windows-7-xp-from-same-usb-drive/13085/
tensai94

only works with legitamate isos pirated ones will not work
Sandey

Thanks for your tutorial, I installed windows XP successfully, but i
can’t boot the Dell n series net-book without the Usb inserted. It seems
to need boot configuration from the Usb instead of the hard drive. Pls
help…
mohammed umair

If you are trying to install winows xp with the Microsoft’s Windows 7 USB/DVD tool, then it’s a waste of time as it can only copy windows 7 setup files and not windows xp. In order to install windows xp from usb device in three simple methods, click on the link below which will take you to the concerned page.

http://www.indiastudychannel.com/resources/147086-Installing-Windows-XP-from-usb-stick-three.aspx
Mathman12342010

wow, dude. Cool it. Its not very hard. I;ve tried it.
Prajwolk16

How u install winxp inexchange of win7….Please tell me…..
Mriazrizvi

this method is very easy, but i face a problem, that my computer boot from USB well ,boot from USB, and run setup, when start copying file of Windows to c Drive , then “can not read files from CD/Dvd” apear , the “try again” and Quit option available.
how possible solution for this problem.pls tel me
email “mriazrizvi@yahoo.com”
http://pepdeal.com/ Alex

very useful post.I am trying to install,but cannot.thanks
Judith

If your flash drive is bootable, insert it and turn the machine on. It will most likely ask you how to boot. Choose one, and I suggest the one that says “GUI” somewhere in the choice. If you just copies the disc to the hard drive, you had to have some operating system to get it there. Use the disc (floppy, CD, DVD, Flash Drive, etc.) that you used to copy the Win disc. Then go to where you have copied the Windows stuff and double click on “Setup.exe”.

Now for some warnings. Hopefully, you put the Windows information into its own folder. If not, you may find yourself with a major problem after it sets up. Hopefully #2, you formatted your hard drive before you copied everything.
LOL

You’ve arguably broken the record as dumbest dipshit ever… and I’ve seen plenty of them in life..
bzavitz

Would be nice if you, and they, could put up a big warning that it’s going to format your USB. Just blew away a lot of work of mine.
Adware Warning

The program they tell you to install is loaded with adware
gosa

A bit of a warning:

If you happen to google for Wintoflash instead of using the links provided here you should be aware of the fact that there’s a smaller “infested” version of this application out there… I downloaded that one, upped it to Virustotal and got 8 hits.

The one that’s linked from this site (downloaded from Softpedia) won’t give any hits when scanned.
STAR

Fabulous!

As a veteran computer whizziwoo i found this to be a doddle.. Woohoo!!

what is a chat room? oh i know, its where all the Aggravated & Frustrated people are…….. good for them )))))))
Red

That’s a given, though.
Nandig

This USB won’t boot. I create it step by step from your tutorial but it wont work. I succesfully installed windows 7 using microsoft official tool. My USB is ok. But your XP won’t load. I have XP CD with integrated SP3. Could it be why it doesn’t work?
Jeff

yh i kinda run into a problem in that my main comp is a mac and my netboook is a windoss so I have a problem transferring large files between the two anything over 4gb and i need to do some formatting, which I did and now my mac cant read the usb so annoying, even still stupid question coming…. my netbook is running windows 7 starter can I put a normal xp system on there as in a standard desktop version or will that not be compatible?? i know you can run into problems upgrading but not sure if this applies to when downgrading an OS.
night wolf

its easy dude
SUDIP

Installation is too slow , slower than cd , what’s the problem ???

Easiest way to install Windows with a USB flash drive

Featured Articles

Recent Posts

Mini PC comparison table

Popular Discussions

Featured Video