If you have a Netbook or other computer that isn’t loaded with a DVD drive, you’ll run into problems when upgrading or reinstalling Windows 7, as it comes on a DVD disc. However, if you have a USB flash drive you can load it with the installation files from a disc, using another computer, or ISO disc image. Here are the basic steps:
- Format the USB drive.
- If you downloaded Windows 7, you need to extract the ISO disc image file, using a utility such as WinRAR or PowerISO.
- From another computer, use XCopy to put the installation files onto the USB drive:
- Open a Command Prompt.
- If using an ISO disc image, navigate to the location of the extracted files. For example, enter cd c:/path_to_file. Then run the following command, while replacing F with the real letter of USB drive, and hit Enter: XCOPY *.* F: /e
- If using a DVD disc, run the following command, replacing D with the real letter of your DVD drive and F for the real letter of the USB drive, and hit Enter: XCOPY D: F: /e
