Windows 7 install from HDD/SSD?

[Auric]

If Windows 7 files are copied from image/disc to a drive (NTFS, MBR, Active) and that is booted from to install onto another drive (likewise preformatted), will there be any shenanigans such as with drive letters?

 

[JackMDS]

What do you mean by copy?

You need special program that can do this type of "Copy".

They usually referred to as Cloning or Ghosting Applications.


Example - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832200031

 

[SimMike2]

You can put Win7 on a USB key drive. I would not recommend, if it is even possible, to turn a hard drive into a Windows 7 install disk. Not all computers will boot from USB drives like this.

 

[Auric]

I mean copy the setup files, not clone an existing installation. The drive would be direct SATA, not USB. My key drives (actually SD cards) read only 15-20 MB/s which is no better than disc.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

You can put Win7 on a USB key drive. I would not recommend, if it is even possible, to turn a hard drive into a Windows 7 install disk. Not all computers will boot from USB drives like this.

The Utility that Microsoft provides to do that doesn't work with HDDs anyway.

Installing from a USB flash drive is way faster though. I refuse to do it any other way now.

 

[MichaelD]

Installing from a USB flash drive is way faster though. I refuse to do it any other way now.

Agreed! Very recently, in one of my threads here in the OS forum, someone turned me on to the Win7 downloadable ISO page and it's AWESOME. Download the appropriate iso for your license, use the MS utility to load it to a USB stick and you have Win7 installed in about 15 minutes. A far cry from the days of hitting F6 to load a SATA driver from a floppy, so you can then spend two hours loading WinXP!

 

[Auric]

Well, it works sans drive letter issues and super quick too.

However, there are a few caveats... setup is pissy about port location and may thus inexplicably whinge about "a required CD/DVD device driver" despite no such device existing. Likewise, one must be careful where the bootmgr ends up (and be able correct it). And finally, even though pre-formatted/bootable/active, it may report a drive as offline however does allow switching online.

So, in the end, it could be more time consuming if unfamiliar with such things than using a slower USB flash drive. Presumably, using a HDD/SSD via USB 3 would be the best combo of speed and minimizing complications.

I may try that sometime just for giggles. :awe: