Win2flash is great, but it can’t (and I quote the title of this post…) “How To Create Bootable Windows 7, Vista, or XP USB Flash/Pen Drive Quickly”. It can only make a bootable install disk of Vista, win7 or XP. Also, the following isn’t true…and I quote the author again) ” Now you can create Windows 7, Vista, or the old XP bootable USB key with a few clicks. Yup, this is true.”
In order to boot the bootable install usb (so you can now install the chosen OS, not run it as the post mistakenly states), you must disable the quick removal setting on it first, and set it to performance. You also have to format the said usb key with NSTF. Once you’ve done all that, just chossing your OS imagefile won’t work either. The imagefile must be extracted first.
So if you want what the title says (a bootable Windows OS on a usb key) you’re out of luck. But if you want to be able to install “FROM” a usb key, Win2fLASH should work if you follow the author’s instructions plus set the usb to performance, format it with NSTF and extract your OS installation imagefile before you try to select it.
What may happen after you do all of this (remembering to change the boot priority or choice to USB-HDD in Bios…), can be harrowing. Instructions are very ambiguous and not all BIOS’s will follow even these instructions. The only advice here is to email Win2Flash support and see if they can’t clean up the boot gui and maybe add an english, clear and concise txt help file concerning what it is you have to do when trying to boot from your USB. If you utilize the poke, push and madly press method (trial and error, and try again ad finitum) then it is most likely you will hit on something that will actually have you running the install OS from your USB. I recommend that you write down everything you do exactly, as you do it if you use the aforementioned, crazy method. I used it and didn’t write anything down. I may never be able to duplicate running the install from my usb again. But it did finally work, after tons of research, modifications and “poking”. For some it will go nicely, but for most it won’t go without blood sweatr and tears.
Win2Flash staff>>>write clearer boot gui, include ALL prerequisites in posts like this and include a txt help file at least…that speaks to all of the above.
When it works though….very cool, especially with these ridiculous netbooks that are fast becoming dustcollectors because of inept programmers and careless companies.
*I had absolutely no problems installing Win 7 and a truckload of problems installing Win Xp pro sp2. Win7 should not be installed on netbooks with internal ssd drives as it “grows” via the side by side (winsxs directory) very quickly to consume an 8 gig completely…and it cannot be moved or bypassed. Just a thought.