Microsoft offers Windows 7 upgrade via USB

Users can move to new OS without DVD drive.

  • Email to a friend
  • Print this article
  • Bookmark this page
  • RSS feed

By Gregg Keizer | Computerworld US
Published: 04:30 GMT, 26 October 09

Microsoft has released a tool to allow netbook owners install Windows 7 on their machines using just a USB flash drive.

The utility, Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool, creates a bootable flash drive from a downloaded .iso file, or disk image, of Windows 7, and can be purchased from Microsoft's online store.

"This tool allows you to create a copy of the .iso file to a USB flash drive or a DVD," said Microsoft. "To install Windows 7 from your USB flash drive or DVD, all you need to do is insert the USB flash drive into your USB port or insert your DVD into your DVD drive and run Setup.exe from the root folder on the drive."

Microsoft blames users for Windows 7 problems | Essential free software tools for Windows 7

The USB/DVD Download Tool solves the problem facing netbooks users who want to upgrade to Windows 7, since virtually all netbooks lack a DVD drive. Earlier this year, rumours circulated that Microsoft might offer Windows 7 upgrades on a flash drive, but the talk turned out to be nothing but wishful thinking.

Users need a 4GB USB drive to install Windows 7 on a PC without an optical drive, Microsoft said. Other requirements include .NET Framework 2.0 or later, and the ability to run as administrator on the to-be-upgraded netbook.

The netbook's BIOS must also be modified to set the boot order so that the USB drive is first on the list. "Please see the documentation for your computer for information on how to change the BIOS boot order of drives," Microsoft recommended.

Last week, Microsoft warned users to seek help if they were unfamiliar with tweaking the BIOS. "If you are not comfortable making this type of BIOS change, I recommend you seek some assistance from your favorite 'tech geek,'" Microsoft spokesman Brandon LeBlanc urged in an entry to the Windows 7 blog.

Because most netbooks run Windows XP, only a "clean" upgrade to Windows - Microsoft dubs it "Custom" during the installation - is possible. That requires users to back up data and application settings before upgrading, then restore the data and settings, as well as reinstall all applications. 

The USB/DVD Download Tool is a 947KB file that can be downloaded from Microsoft's site.

Contact Us

For editorial queries:
Max Cooter max_cooter@techworld.com

For website issues:
Email webmaster@techworld.com

For commercial queries
Russell Kearney russell_kearney@idg.co.uk

For more contact details click here.

What are your views on this subject? Use the form below to post a comment on this article up to 500 characters.

Characters remaining: 500

Related Personal Tech news

British Library to offer 65,000 free ebooks in Amazon deal

19th century digitised works available this spring

09 February 2010

IBM shows off 100GHz graphene transistor

Next generation chips point to faster processors

NASA astronauts field questions from Twitter

Space shuttle Endeavour crew connect to social network

Consumers say 'no' to iPad

Survey finds hype drives punters away.

Related Personal Tech reviews

Lenovo ThinkCentre A70z review

Fujitsu LifeBook T4410 review

Kodak ESP 5250 review

Email this article to a friend or colleague:

PLEASE NOTE: Your name is used only to let the recipient know who sent the story, and in case of transmission error. Both your name and the recipient's name and address will not be used for any other purpose.

Techworld White Papers

Challenges and opportunities of PCI

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard provides an enterprise structure for improving operational, security, and audit performance. The benefits of the PCI DSS go beyond audit costs and results.

Download Whitepaper

Database security: Preventing enterprise data leaks at the source

IDC discusses the growing internal threats to business information, the impact of government regulations on the protection of data, and how enterprises must adopt database security best practices...

Download Whitepaper

Six essential steps to successful IT centralisation

This report, based on the real experience of a recent centralisation project, is aimed at those involved in IT strategy within their organisation. It provides some practical insights for CIOs, CTOs, Heads of IT, IT Directors and those involved more closely with the service management function.

Download Whitepaper

Application Grid: The ideal platform for IT consolidation

Evaluating the opportunity for consolidation of middleware — Java application servers and related technologies.

Download Whitepaper

Techworld UK - Technology - Business

COLT White Paper

Are all VoIP services the same?

Questions to ask your service provider to ensure you get the VoIP service you need
With careful choice of partner, your business can have all the advantages of VoIP access - reduced costs, flexibility and simplicity - without the drawbacks.
This white paper is your guide to ensure you get right the VoIP service and details the pitfalls which businesses would do well to avoid.

Download white paper
COLT White Paper

IT Misuse Survey

Complete this survey and you could win a Nexus One

Techworld are running a short survey to discover how UK businesses are managing Internet and email misuse in the Enterprise.

Complete Survey

Webcast: IT Financial Management: Cost Optimisation for Efficiency and Agility.
On Demand Webcast
Join this webcast to learn about the techniques and technologies that can help you prove the value of IT to the business by understanding the true cost of today's IT services and those that will be necessary to deliver future success.

Register Today

Site Map

IDG Network

* *