📎 AI Summary:
The thread discusses methods of installing or booting Windows 7, with the original poster asking if it's possible to boot from a USB or external hard disk and how to retain current partitions during installation. The first respondent explains that booting Windows 7 directly from a USB or external drive isn't feasible, but installing it from such devices is possible, and preserving existing partitions requires prior setup; they recommend backing up data and repartitioning if necessary. The second respondent adds skepticism about booting Windows OS directly from a USB connected drive, but confirms that installing Windows from such media is possible. Overall, the conversation highlights technical limitations and emphasizes careful planning when installing or upgrading Windows to preserve data and existing partitions.

maifs

New Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2009
Messages
46
Thread Author #1
can i boot windows7 from usb or from hard disk (which is pluged into my pc and os is intalled on it).

How can i do it?

one thing more, when i am going to install windows7 in my pc then how can i remain my current partitions?
 

Solution
can i boot windows7 from usb or from hard disk (which is pluged into my pc and os is intalled on it).

How can i do it?

one thing more, when i am going to install windows7 in my pc then how can i remain my current partitions?

from what I've gathered, I been trying to do exactly what you're trying, you cannot keep your current partition unless you already had a partition big enough for win 7 set aside, you have to reinstall xp and create partitions in the process and then work your way to win 7 and do that whole thing, if you want to dual boot... what I did was, back up my files on external hdd from win xp and then partition, reinstall and install, it is a painstaking process but if you want to hold on to win xp, that's the...

omnivious

New Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2009
Messages
206
can i boot windows7 from usb or from hard disk (which is pluged into my pc and os is intalled on it).

How can i do it?

one thing more, when i am going to install windows7 in my pc then how can i remain my current partitions?

from what I've gathered, I been trying to do exactly what you're trying, you cannot keep your current partition unless you already had a partition big enough for win 7 set aside, you have to reinstall xp and create partitions in the process and then work your way to win 7 and do that whole thing, if you want to dual boot... what I did was, back up my files on external hdd from win xp and then partition, reinstall and install, it is a painstaking process but if you want to hold on to win xp, that's the way it is... good luck to ya! I hope this helps!
 

Solution

SIW2

New Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2009
Messages
1,169
I don't believe you can boot any windows o/s from a usb connected drive.

You can install windows from a usb connected drive.