Multi OS Boot USB

cavemanoc

cavemanoc

cavemanoc

Soldato
Joined
23 Mar 2005
Posts
3,887
I've been using USB to install windows 7 for a while now and absolutely love it. The only down side is I need to have at least 2 sticks, one for 32bit and one for 64bit. I've been doing a lot of repair work for friends, and invariably I end up scrabbling in the garage for old copies of XP and Vista. Is there any way to us a single 32Gb USB stick and have All of my Windows installs on it (XP 32/64; Vista, Windows 7 32/64, Windows 8{when I get it}) to save all the faf?
 
iv been wondering about this myself, i repair a lot of computers with various o/s's and have the originals, can do one at a time, but having all on one i still havnt figured it out
 
While it seems like it would definitely be possible with GRUB (or some other bootloader, but that probably has the best Windows support), my main concern would be actually fitting six windows installations into 32GB space. Doesn't Windows 7 take all that up on it's own anyway? :eek:
 
PermaBanned said:
my main concern would be actually fitting six windows installations into 32GB space. Doesn't Windows 7 take all that up on it's own anyway? :eek:
Click to expand...

No? My Win7 install, with a few programs and files totals up to a little under 16GB.

***edit***

Of course, System Restore and Hibernation are disabled. But Win7, a 1.5GB pagefile, a fairly minimal Office install (Word and Excel only) and a few other programs comes to 15.8GB.
 
I absolutely love YUMI - I was using it to try to Parted Magic my Samsung SSDs - and that's what got me thinking that I could simply add the isos onto it. The adding was fine, but when I booted the machine from it the Windows installed ground to a halt and couldn't find the drivers it needed...I'm guessing it's something to do with Windows fighting Linux for control? If I'm missing a step then please let me know as it seemed like the perfect solution!
 
Last edited:
His combined one for Server and Win 7 32/64 looks very promising, can't see why you couldn't do exactly the same thing, just have the Win XP and Vista .wim files and merge them as well. Might have a try a bit later - thanks for the head's-up :D
 
Just use Sardu, pop the x64 and x86 ISO's in the ISO folder, then in the main App put a tick next to Windows XP, Windows 7 and off you go, can add other useful stuff like UBCD4WIN and Hiren's with a single click, builds straight on to your USB stick. Simple GUI, easy to follow, does all the hard work.
 
Sounds promising - will give it a try - have you confirmed that it works with any of the Windows installs?

Edit: Sardu looks brilliant, but am I right in thinking that I would still need 2 sticks - one for 32bit and one for 64bit?
 
Last edited:
cavemanoc said:
Sounds promising - will give it a try - have you confirmed that it works with any of the Windows installs?

Edit: Sardu looks brilliant, but am I right in thinking that I would still need 2 sticks - one for 32bit and one for 64bit?
Click to expand...

You don't need two sticks, but there's a step you need to do first, which is create an All In One Windows 7, then use that on Sardu. This will let you install Home, Premium, Professional, Enterprise, Ultimate, all in both x86 and x64

Follow this tutorial: http://www.windowsvalley.com/create-windows-7-aio-all-in-one-dvd-or-merge-all-editions-of-windows-7-in-single-dvd/ I did it a few days ago and it's working wonder on Sardu, only tested XP so far, but the Windows 7 selection menu appears so assume it works fine.
 
Will take a look at Sardu so cheers for that :) I already have a AIO for Windows 7 but would be nice to be able to add XP just on the off chance.

Stoner81.
 
Stoner81 said:
Will take a look at Sardu so cheers for that :) I already have a AIO for Windows 7 but would be nice to be able to add XP just on the off chance.

Stoner81.
Click to expand...

Just ensure you slipstream AHCI drivers on to the XP ISO (using nlite or similar tool) before you put the ISO on to Sardu or it will BSOD when installing, unless you put SATA operation in to ATA/Legacy ;)

:D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom