If you are a regular reader of IntoWindows, you probably have come across our how to install Windows 7 Using USB Drive article, a very detailed guide to installing the latest Windows 7 from a USB flash drive. But, what if you don’t have a DVD or USB to install Windows 7? Here is our solution.
So you can continue this guide in keeping these three points:
# By using this guide you will be able to Install Windows 7/Vista, even if you don’t have a DVD drive on your PC.
# You can also use this guide if you don’t have a USB stick. If you have a 4 GB+ USB drive then try out my “Install Windows 7 using USB drive” for a quick installation.
# We are not using either CD/DVD drive in this guide so you can even use this method to install this method for Netbooks.
There are two ways to install Windows 7/Vista without using A DVD or USB. The first one is using VPC (Virtual PC) and the second one is mounting an ISO file using free tools like Daemon Tools or Virtual Clone Drive.
Also read: how to clean install Windows 10 from USB
Installing Windows 7 without using a DVD or USB
In this method, we install Windows 7 on a clean partition like the normal DVD boot method. The only change is that we don’t use a DVD in this guide. Please follow the below instructions carefully and don’t skip any steps to make things quickly!
Step 1: Download the Windows 7 ISO files from Microsoft. I hope you have already downloaded one.
Step 2: Download and install Virtual Clone Drive (free) from here. We will use the Virtual Clone Drive to mount the ISO image of Windows 7.
Step 3: Firstly, go to the directory where you have saved the Windows 7 ISO file. Right-click on the ISO file, select Open with and then select Mount files with Virtual Clone Drive to mount your ISO file.
Step 4: Go back to My Computer (or Computer) and then double-click on the Virtual Clone Drive icon to start the Windows 7 installation process.
Yes, you are installing Windows 7 without a DVD or USB drive!
Step 5: Next, follow the normal Windows 7 installation procedure to finish the installation. Your computer may restart several times during the install process. Worry not, everything will go fine.
You can also refer our Windows 7 installation procedure guide if you have doubts about the installation.
Below is another way of installing Windows 7 without using a DVD or USB:
Method 1: Installing Windows 7 Without Using a DVD or USB via Virtual PC method