How to Install Windows 7 Using Pen Drive

September 2022 · 6 minute read

This wikiHow teaches you how to install Windows 7 on a Windows computer by using a USB flash drive instead of an installation disc. Back up your computer's files if necessary. If you plan on wiping your current computer's hard drive to...

Part 1 of 6:

Preparing to Install Windows 7

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    Back up your computer's files if necessary. If you plan on wiping your current computer's hard drive to install Windows 7, consider backing up your computer's files to a hard drive before proceeding.

  • Picture 2 of How to Install Windows 7 Using Pen Drive Find your Windows 7 product key. In order to download the Windows 7 installation file (ISO), you'll need to enter your Windows 7 product key on the Microsoft website.
  • The product key is typically found on your Windows 7 installation disc's packaging. If you installed Windows 7 on a different computer, you can find the product key there.
  • The product key that accompanies most computers which have Windows 7 pre-installed is not considered a valid key by Microsoft.
  • Picture 3 of How to Install Windows 7 Using Pen Drive Obtain a USB flash drive. Buy or find a USB 3.0 flash drive that can store at least 8 gigabytes of information.
  • This is the pen drive you'll use to install Windows 7.
  • Picture 4 of How to Install Windows 7 Using Pen Drive Download and install the USB creation tool. Microsoft has a dedicated USB creation tool that you can use to burn your Windows 7 installation file onto a flash drive:
  • Go to the Windows USB creation tool page.
  • Click Download in the lower-right side of the page.
  • Check the box next to your installation language (e.g., the one ending in "US" for English).
  • Click Next in the bottom-right side of the page to prompt the download to begin.
  • Install the tool by double-clicking the downloaded file and following the on-screen prompts.
  • Picture 5 of How to Install Windows 7 Using Pen Drive Partition your hard drive if you like. If you want to install Windows 7 without removing the currently installed operating system, you can create a space (or "partition") for your Windows 7 installation on your hard drive. You'll use the built-in Disk Management program to do this.
  • Make sure your hard drive has enough space on it for you to do this. You should have at least 50 gigabytes of free space for Windows 7, though 100 gigabytes or more is preferred.[1]
  • You can also buy an external hard drive and install Windows 7 onto it.
  • Picture 6 of How to Install Windows 7 Using Pen Drive Find out your computer's BIOS key. The BIOS key is the key you'll need to press when restarting your computer in order to open the BIOS, which is a crucial step in installing Windows 7. To find your computer's specific BIOS key, do the following:
  • Find your computer's manufacturer name.
  • Open a search engine (e.g., Google).
  • Type in your computer's manufacturer name followed by "bios key", then press ↵ Enter.
  • Open a result from the manufacturer's website.
  • Determine which key your computer uses by looking for your computer's model number if necessary.
  • You can find your computer's model number by right-clicking the Start icon, clicking System, and looking at the number directly under "Device specifications".

    • Part 2 of 6:

    Downloading the Windows 7 ISO File

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    Open the Windows 7 download site. Go to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7 in your computer's web browser.

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    Enter your Windows 7 product key. In the text box near the bottom of the page, type in your 25-character product key.

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    Click Verify. It's below the text box.

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    Select a language. Click the language drop-down box at the top of the page, then click the language you want to use for your Windows 7 installation.

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    Click Confirm. It's below the language drop-down box.

  • Picture 12 of How to Install Windows 7 Using Pen Drive Click 64-bit Download. This option is in the middle of the page. Doing so prompts the Windows 7 ISO file to begin downloading onto your computer.
  • The Windows 7 ISO file is large, so it may take a while for it to download.
  • Depending on your browser's settings, you may have to select a download location before the ISO file will download.

    • Part 3 of 6:

    Creating the USB Installation Drive

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    Insert the USB flash drive into your computer. Plug the flash drive into one of your computer's rectangular USB ports.

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    Open the Windows USB creation tool. Double-click the Windows 7 DVD USB Download Tool app icon, then click Yes when prompted.

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    Add your Windows 7 ISO file to the tool. Click Browse on the right side of the window, then click once the Windows 7 ISO file and click Open.

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    Click Next. It's in the bottom-right corner of the window.

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    Click USB device. This option is at the bottom of the window.

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    Select your USB drive if necessary. If you see a different drive in the drop-down box than the one you want to use, click the drop-down box and then click your flash drive's name.

  • Picture 19 of How to Install Windows 7 Using Pen Drive Click Begin copying. It's in the bottom-right corner of the window.
  • If prompted, click Erase USB and then click Yes before proceeding.
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    Wait for the USB to finish burning. It can take up to an hour for Windows to finish creating your installation drive. Once the tool notifies you that the installation is complete, you can proceed.

    • Part 4 of 6:

    Changing Your Computer's Boot Order

  • Picture 21 of How to Install Windows 7 Using Pen Drive Turn off your computer. You can do this by pressing and holding the computer's "Power" button, or you can click Start, click the Power icon, and click Shut Down.
  • Make sure your computer is completely shut down before proceeding.
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    Turn back on your computer. Press your computer's "Power" button to do so. Your computer will begin turning back on.

  • Picture 23 of How to Install Windows 7 Using Pen Drive Begin pressing the BIOS key. As soon as your computer begins to boot up, begin pressing rapidly the key your computer uses to open the BIOS. You can stop pressing the key once the BIOS page opens.
  • If your computer restarts before you have a chance to press the BIOS key, you'll need to turn back off and then on your computer and try again.
  • Picture 24 of How to Install Windows 7 Using Pen Drive Find the "Boot Order" section. Using the left and right arrow keys, scroll through the BIOS tabs until you find a list of boot items.
  • You may have to select Boot Order (or similar) and press ↵ Enter to open the menu.
  • Each computer's BIOS will be different, so consult your computer's online documentation if you can't find the boot order menu.
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    Select your flash drive's name. Use the arrow keys to scroll down until you've selected the USB flash drive's name.

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    Move the flash drive to the top of the list. In most cases, you'll press the + key until the flash drive's name is at the top; if this doesn't work, consult the key legend at the bottom (or side) of the BIOS screen for instructions.

  • Picture 27 of How to Install Windows 7 Using Pen Drive Save and exit. Press the "Save and Exit" key as specified by the key legend. Doing so will save your changes to the BIOS and then exit the BIOS screen.
  • You may have to confirm your choice by pressing another key before you can proceed.
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    Restart your computer if necessary. If your computer finishes starting into Windows, restart your computer before proceeding. This will open the Windows 7 installation page, from which point you can begin installing Windows 7.

    • Marvin Fry Marvin Fry

    Update 04 March 2020

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