Although I haven't tested it yet, word has it that you can use the utility to make a bootable Windows 8 disk, too. However, after reading an independent blogger's post on Microsoft's TechNet about using the tool to create a bootable Server 2012 image, something I found myself in need of, I decided to give it a shot. Microsoft states you can only create an image of Windows 7 purchased from the Microsoft Store.

ISO image of the Windows operating system you want to install. You'll also need 500MB of free space and either a DVD-R or USB flash drive with at least 4GB capacity.

A minimum of a Pentium 233 MHz processor is needed however, 300 MHz is the recommended minimum. System requirements for installing include a computer running Windows XP SP2, Vista, or Windows 7 (32- or 64-bit). This tool is the best way I have found to install Server 2012 in a test or small production environment quickly and without a lot of hassle.Īcquiring and Install The Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool is a free utility available from Microsoft. The Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool is simple to use and has never failed me, except when I tried to use it with a high-capacity 64GB flash drive. You can, of course, also use this utility to make a bootable DVD. With these tools, I can quickly create a bootable Server 2012 USB disk. One is a high capacity USB flash drive-we're talking a minimum of 4GB-and the second is Microsoft's Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool. Therefore, when installing Windows servers to physical hardware (not virtual installs), I rely on two key tools.

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Windows 7 dvd download tool