The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    install Windows 7/Applications on a USB key for portability?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by techman41973, Aug 14, 2012.

  1. techman41973

    techman41973 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    119
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I would like to install Windows 7 and my applications on a USB flash drive that would allow me to simply plug it in to any laptop, boot from the USB flash drive and have my customized Windows 7 system, desktop and applications with me, regardless of what laptop I have access to.
    I'm quite certain this is possible, just would like some pointers on my options to make this happen.
    Thanks
     
    techman41973, Aug 14, 2012
    #1
  2. tommytomatoe

    tommytomatoe Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    59
    Messages:
    579
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
    There is an official Microsoft solution I do believe, but I've never used it. I'm not a Windows user, but it is handy to have a copy of Windows 7 enterprise on a USB stick in the event I need it. Using Yumi, you can have Linux installs and Windows on the same USB drive, and be able to boot into all of them. I have gparted on my 16gb USB stick as well when I need to do some quick partitioning on a laptop or computer that I am fixing or installing.

    http://www.pendrivelinux.com/yumi-multiboot-usb-creator/

    Just have an ISO of your Windows install handy. This can be acquired several ways. Either download an official copy or rip your install disc to ISO. Run the program, and select Windows 7/vista installer. Let it do its thing. Voila! You have Windies USB stick, with the option to add other Linux distros and system diagnositic tools all on one drive.

    Let me know if you need better instructions.

    Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
     
    tommytomatoe, Aug 14, 2012
    #2