Making a Win7 USB bootable?

ToejaM · 2 Dec 2011 at 13:33

What size USB drive/stick is the minimum you need for it? The ISO is short of 2.7gb but the tool I have to make the bootable says a minimum of 4gb.

So I'm wondering, if I was to buy a 4gb usb drive, would it format just that little bit too short of the required amount?

As illegitimate as this sounds, its not but I'll understand if the thread is deleted.

Edit: As I have either a 2gb USB stick or a 320gb toughdrive :rolleyes:

from one extreme to the other

CaptainCrash · 2 Dec 2011 at 14:54

I guess the minimum 4GB specified is to allow enough space for the x64 ISO, which is around 3.2GB. There aren't any 3GB flash drives anyway, at least as far as I'm aware, so 4GB would be the practical minimum for the x86 install as well - obviously 2GB wouldn't be big enough for either.

I don't know what tool you're using, but it's unlikely it would format the drive to less than its full capacity - the installation files will just take up as much space as they need, with the remaining capacity left free.

ToejaM · 2 Dec 2011 at 15:17

Oh yeah you're right, where the hell did I get 2.7gb from.. dizzy day! Its 3.5gb.

I just know that with HDDs when you format them you often lose a little, for example my 180gb only shows a maximum of 167gb and my 2gb pendrive shows 1.87gb.

I know that the 2gb would have definately been too small, I was just saying I either have a drive way too small or an overkill drive (320gb lol).

The main question really was, how much does a 4gb usb pen drive format to and would it be sufficient for a win7 x64 iso or would it just be that little bit too small?

Does anyone here have their win7 'disk' on a usb drive and how bigs the drive?

monkeyspank · 2 Dec 2011 at 15:22

Are you talking about an install USB drive? If so you need a 4gb stick which will have spare room on it.

Hudzy · 2 Dec 2011 at 15:22

I found my 4 GB was about 100 MB too small when I was making mine.

Mine uses 3.88 GB which is slightly larger than a 4 GB actually gives you.

CaptainCrash · 2 Dec 2011 at 15:30

Hudzy said:
I found my 4 GB was about 100 MB too small when I was making mine.

Mine uses 3.88 GB which is slightly larger than a 4 GB actually gives you.

A 4GB (where 1GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes) formats to around 3.82 gibibytes, so that makes sense, but even the x64 Win7 install files should fit on with room to spare... were you using some kind of customised setup disc as the source?

Deleted member 77746 · 2 Dec 2011 at 15:39

A 4GB drive is enough. I done plenty.

bledd · 2 Dec 2011 at 15:59

Hudzy said:
I found my 4 GB was about 100 MB too small when I was making mine.

Mine uses 3.88 GB which is slightly larger than a 4 GB actually gives you.

Must be some weird copy

The 64bit SP1 iso is ~3.10gb

Django x2 · 2 Dec 2011 at 17:38

Yep, always use 4Gb sticks here, never had a problem.

ToejaM · 2 Dec 2011 at 19:12

Great, gf is picking one up from a certain store as they're £4 and she gets discount :>

ToejaM · 3 Dec 2011 at 11:58

Done, not tested but I assume it'll work :>

CaptainCrash · 3 Dec 2011 at 12:03

ToejaMz0r said:
Done, not tested but I assume it'll work :>

Don't get too excited just yet, I've found that some USB flash drives just can't be made bootable whatever you do with them... "glares at 8GB Sandisk Cruzer Micro".

I'm not saying you'll necessarily have any problems, but be prepared for the possibility.

ToejaM · 9 Dec 2011 at 12:28

Well both the ones I had my gf pickup from the purple shirt store (she gets discount ;P) both worked

You using WintoFlash?

Deleted member 77746 · 9 Dec 2011 at 12:32

The utility from Microsoft works perfect.
http://emea.microsoftstore.com/UK/en-GB/Service-Centre/Windows-7-USB-DVD-Download-Tool

Manual
http://emea.microsoftstore.com/Cata...load-Tool/Windows_7_USB_DVD_Download_Tool.pdf

CaptainCrash · 9 Dec 2011 at 12:41

ToejaMz0r said:
You using WintoFlash?

I've used pretty much everything, culminating in a lump hammer.

Xanth · 9 Dec 2011 at 13:52

CaptainCrash said:
Don't get too excited just yet, I've found that some USB flash drives just can't be made bootable whatever you do with them... "glares at 8GB Sandisk Cruzer Micro".

I use WinToFlash on my 4GB Sandisk Cruzer Micro, so not sure what your issue is with the 8GB one?

Though I can only do it with WinToFlash, the microsoft application to do it does not seem to work on it.

ToejaM · 9 Dec 2011 at 14:28

Seems a little odd that it doesnt work tbh but what can ya do! Tried googling it?

Both my usbs are sandisks, ones a Cruzer Switch.. cant remember the other one though and I've just sent it to my brother

Xanth · 9 Dec 2011 at 14:33

I have no idea, it just refuses to read my disc (official Microsoft one) with the Microsoft software but WinToFlash does it instantly without fuss.

Jay794 · 9 Dec 2011 at 14:35

There are loads of guides on Google on how to transfer the Windows 7 image from the CD directly to a USB and make it bootable, just search

I have the 8GB Sandisk Cruzer Micro USB and never had any issues with it, managed to boot OSX on it too

Deception · 9 Dec 2011 at 14:39

I've also used numerous USB drives with WintoFlash and not had it fail yet. What issue are you having with it? Pity I haven't got a 4gb drive around (I use 8gb ones). I will see if I can source one.