Installing windows from a flash usb

abr231194 · January 27, 2015

Hi guys, need some quick help here. Is it possible to create a bootable flash drive for windows 7 from a mac? if i download the windows 7 iso on the mac, can i just use the windows 7 usb tool OR do i need to download a software specific to mac to get the iso on a bootable flash drive?

Thanks in advance

vembutech · January 27, 2015

Hi,

If you have a Windows 7 or 8.x installation disk but do not have an optical (CD/DVD) drive on your computer, you can create a flash drive to use in the installation instead. To do so, your flash drive must have at least 4 GB of space, and you'll need the valid product key that came with your Windows 7 or 8.x software. You can create a bootable flash drive on either a Windows or Mac OS X computer.

Warning: The process in the steps below will delete any data currently on the flash drive. Before continuing, be sure to back up your flash drive's data by copying it to another flash drive, your computer, or an external hard drive.

As part of the process, you'll need to obtain a Windows 7 or 8.x .iso file, which gathers all the individual Windows files into one. You cannot simply copy this file to a USB drive, but must use special software to write it properly.

Note: In Mac OS X, the option to create a Windows 7 or 8.x flash drive will only appear if the computer you're using does not have an optical drive. On Macs with optical drives, the option will be either missing or grayed out.

1. From the Finder, open the Applications folder, and then Utilities.

2. Open the Boot Camp Assistant, and then click Continue. The next screen should give you a list of options.

3. UITS recommends making the USB drive installer first. You don't need to install Windows or download the support software at this time, as it will be easier to do both later. To proceed:

a) Verify that the USB drive you will be writing to is plugged in.
b) Uncheck the Install Windows 7 or later version and Download the latest Windows support software from Apple options.
c) Check Create a Windows 7 or later install disk and click Continue.

4. Your USB drive should be listed in the "Destination disk" area. Use the choose button to browse to your .iso file; after selecting it, click Continue.

5. If prompted, confirm your action and/or provide an administrator's password. The process of writing the .iso file to the USB drive can take 20 minutes or longer.

abr231194 · January 27, 2015

Oh wow you answered me on toms hardware too hahaha. Anyway quick question.

"Note: In Mac OS X, the option to create a Windows 7 or 8.x flash drive will only appear if the computer you're using does not have an optical drive. On Macs with optical drives, the option will be either missing or grayed out."

So does this mean I wont be able to create the bootable drive if the mac has an optical drive?