boot - Installing OS from a flash drive's directory?

07
2014-07
  • user334924

    I have quite huge (64GB) flash drive with some data on it. And I'm wondering if it's possible to create a directory with bootable Windows 7 / 8 / Linux on that pendrive so I'd be able to install OS using this pendrive WITHOUT losing any other data?

    Because right now it seems like you have to totally wipe out your pendrive then make it bootable using Rufus or some other app.

    Is it even possible to achieve what I want to do? :)

    I came up with one simple idea - create a bootable OS disk first then create a new directory on it called "Files" or something like this and store my files within it - should work but will create chaos (like xx files in top pendrive directory and then everything else deeper in my folder). And what if I want to have more than 1 bootable OS there? (I want just one in fact, just wondering ;))

    Any hints?

    • Answers
  • Martin

    as food for thought Ramhound is correct, but also consider that IF Your USB stick is Identified by Windows as a Fixed Hard Drive and Not Removable, you can then Create 2 Partitions, if it's REMOVABLE then you can only have 1


    • Related Question

    Can I boot and run windows XP from a USB flash memory stick?
  • Fred Hamilton

    I know this can be done with Linux - curious if it's possible with XP (commenting on Vista or 7 is fine, too).


    • Related Answers
  • The How-To Geek

    good old BartPE is your friend:

    How to run Windows XP from a USB stick

    p.s.: preparing a USB flash drive with BartPE (or any Windows installation disk for that matter) has just gotten easier, thanks to this nifty little tool: WinToFlash

    (credits to Lee M. over at downloadsquad.com for this nice find)

  • LinuxBy Examples

    Yes, it is possible with winxp. I've tested and run winxp on usb for many times and it worked well.

    The concept is simple, all you need is a vhd disk image which contains a winxp (full or mini is up to you) installed with winvblock drivers.

    You can you oracle virtualbox to create the vhd file.

    After all, you use grub4dos to boot the vhd image.

    I found a full article here : http://www.linuxbyexamples.net/2012/08/How-to-install-and-run-a-full-winxp-on-usb-disk.html

    Hope it will helpfull.

    Cheers.