Install Windows 7 without burning a DVD
Microsoft, rather unhelpfully, is distributing Windows 7 as an ISO and asking people to first burn a DVD for the beta, and then use that DVD to install Windows 7. There is however an option if you don’t have a DVD burner (Note: Some programs, despite my best efforts to ensure they’re legit, might include bundled spyware – so please proceed carefully, and if you can burn a DVD, do that instead).
Also, I’m going to be trying this myself in an hour or two and will then let you know if this really worked for me. So at the moment it’s theory not proven to work in actuality.
I’ve now managed to install Windows 7 from the iso, using MagicISO Virtaul Drive, on my HP TouchSmart. I did NOT need to burn a DVD – so it works.
Install Windows 7 by mounting the ISO as a Virtual Drive.
There are a number of freeware programs, such as -
- MagicISO – this lets you mount your Windows 7 ISO as a virtual drive and then install from that drive.
- Virtual CloneDrive from SlySoft. They also have a promotion right now (till Jan 11th, 2009) if you want to buy.
- elby CloneDrive – another free program, and a company based out of Switzerland.
Install one of these (do your own due diligence to supplement mine - ensure these are legit and free of spyware). Then you can open the Windows 7 beta ISO file, create a virtual drive using it, and install windows 7 without having to burn a DVD.
I have not included XP specific programs since XP to Windows 7 upgrades are not supported.
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Filed under: Windows7
thankssssssssssssss
[...] had written a small post on installing Windows 7 without burning a DVD. Crux is to use one of the available [...]
Thanx yaar! I just downloaded 7 and I need install without burning as it’s pretty hard to get a dvd at the middle of the night. Anyway, thanx.
I question if this will really work, because MagicISO, and the windows 7 iso file are both programs installed in the previous windows system. So once the system reboots and deletes the previous operating system, how will MagicISO and the iso file on the old windows, still operate to install windows 7?? I’m using a netbook btw. Thanks.
daniel – i can assure you it works as I’ve done it a few times now – with w7 beta and with w7 rc.
also, the old windows files are put in windows.old folder and not really deleted.
magic iso creates a virtual drive and that functions as a dvd drive.
it just works – not sure of the exact inner workings.
Will this work if I’m trying to install Windows 7 on another partition? Because I seriously do not want to mess up my laptop.
yes.
if you are using c:, then create a new partition s: or something, then use magiciso to mount the windows 7 rc .iso as drive w: or something, and then run it.
i’ve done this and it causes no problems.
do note that when you install windows 7 make sure you indicate that it should install on the new partition and not on the drive that your current os is on.
Thanks! Just downloading Windows 7 and wanted confirmation that installing Windows 7 in MagicISO works.
yes it does.