Is it possible to do a fresh install? I only have a hard drive and windows 7 ISO file.
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Do you have a large flash drive?– Nathan OsmanMay 6, 2010 at 0:20
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yes. but how can i copy windows 7 OS files to the flash drive? just copy all files? does that work?– user36243May 6, 2010 at 0:24
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You can't just copy all files: I know that. I don't how to make it bootable though (it is of course possible) so just wait for a newer answer.– VerviousMay 6, 2010 at 0:40
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See How do I place a bootable ISO on a USB drive? - Super User if you want to use a USB drive, or installation - Install Windows 7 from ISO image - Super User for booting from the hard disk.– user202729Aug 14, 2019 at 15:48
4 Answers
Got a USB port? Can you boot off of it? Have a 4GB flash drive handy? How about a system you can prepare the flash drive on with .NET Framework 2.0 or higher? If so, you probably want the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool. You might find this tutorial handy.
Update: Fixed links.
Assuming you have a host PC running Windows 7 or Vista you can make the USB key bootable using DISKPART. I wrote up some fairly detailed instructions on my website to install Windows 7 on an Acer Revo.
If your PC is post 2000, you can boot from a USB flash drive (you may have to set boot order in the BIOS).
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just copy all files from the ISO? will that work?– user36243May 6, 2010 at 0:24
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@LaRs: you will need to do more than copy it all to the USB. See other answers.– BCSJul 19, 2010 at 1:34
Yes you can. I did the same thing a couple of weeks back. You don't need any flash drives or any other and is just sufficient with what you have(iso file & hard drive). Just extract the 'iso' file into a folder and run the 'setup' file. After running, you'll get a few windows asking on which drive to install, which would look familiar if you had installed any OS earlier. Assuming that you have installed your your current OS in C:\ , select the same. It may restart couple of times during the process. Done! Finally the earlier version of your OS will be in 'C:\Old Files', which you can 'shift delete' it. And post installation, you can use the same Windows Vista Drivers for Windows 7.
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2this will only work if you have already any windows version installed. It will not work if you want a fresh installation.– kaykayApr 16, 2011 at 4:22