In the past we have shown you how to make a bootable Windows 7 flash drive using Microsoft’s Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool. We are going to use the same exact tool to create a bootable Windows 8 flash drive instead.
Before we begin we need to cover some of the necessary prerequisites.
- You will need an ISO of Windows 8. You can get a copy directly from Microsoft.
- A 4GB flash drive for the 32-bit version of Windows 8 or a 8GB flash drive for 64-bit version of Windows 8.
After you have all those setup make sure you back up all your data on your flash drive. This process will more than likely wipe them. Now that is all set lets make a bootable Windows 8 flash drive.
Create a Bootable Windows 8 Flash Drive
If you haven’t down already, from our previous post, you will want to download the Microsoft USB/DVD tool directly from Microsoft, and install it. After you are done installing it, go ahead and launch the application. When the tool opens up, you will want to click Browse to the right of the Source File text box.
Then find the Windows 8 ISO you downloaded and select it and click open to continue.
You will go directly back to the Microsoft Tool. Here you will need to click Next to continue.
Next you can either chose to burn the ISO to a USB device, which is what we are going to do, or a DVD. This tool is handy for burning DVD’s, or you can use Windows 7 to burn a DVD. Here is a tutorial on how to burn Windows 8 iso to DVD in Windows 7. When you are ready click USB Device button to continue.
On the next screen you will need to select your USB device. Make sure you select the right one before you continue. Click Begin copying when you are ready.
A prompt will appear after you clicked saying the USB drive needs to be erased. Click Erase USB Device when you are ready to.
A second prompt will ask you again if you are sure you want to erase all content. Click Yes to continue.
After that finial prompt, your device will be formatted and the Windows 8 ISO will be copied over to your USB device.
It will take some time for this whole process to complete so step away from the computer for a bit and grab a cup of coffee or perhaps some type of sweet bread desert. Whatever you do, or don’t do, when you come back you will be greeted with 100% complete. Go ahead and close the USB/DVD tool.
Head over to Windows Explorer and open your USB device. You should see all the files form the ISO copied over to your flash drive.
The only next step is to reboot your computer and install Windows 8. Congratulations, you now have Windows 8 on a flash drive.
Downloads
Windows 7 USB/DVD Download tool
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