How To Install Windows 8 & Windows Server 2012 From USB

In this post I will tell you how to install Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 from a USB or DVD, as well as the procedure involved in creating a bootable USB and DVD for installing Windows 8 and Windows Server 8. Windows 7 USB/DVD Download tool is a free software from Microsoft which can create a bootable copy of your Windows 8 OS (from an ISO file). You can also use this tool to create a bootable DVD containing your Windows 8 client or server operating system.

Go to My Computer , right-click on your USB drive letter and select Format option from right-click menu.

Format

In the next step, select NTFS from the File System drop down menu and click start to Format your USB.

Note: This will erase all data within the USB.

NTFS

To create a bootable USB or DVD, launch Windows 7 USB/DVD Download tool and select the Windows 8 or Windows 8 Server ISO image from the Browse button. Click Next to continue.

Browse

Now, select a USB Device or theĀ  DVD option (to create a bootable USB or DVD).

Select Device

Once done, select a USB Drive (or optical drive if you have chosen the DVD option) and click on Begin Copying.

Select Drive

A prompt will appear warning you that all data within the USB will be erased, click Erase USB Device. This option will only appear if you haven’t formatted the USB already ( as shown in Step 1 and Step 2).

Erase

This will make a bootable USB / DVD for installing Windows8 or Windows Server 8 (according to the ISO image you selected).

Creating USB

Once the process is complete, you will see a confirmation message that the process was completed successfully. To install Windows from the USB device, set USB as the preferred boot device from your BIOS setting and plug in the bootable USB. This will automatically detect the USB and begin installation.

Complete

You can find the installation instructions for Windows 8 here:

How To Install Windows 8 On VirtualBox [Complete Guide]

These instructions can be used to install Windows 8 on both VirtualBox or a Physical machine. Windows 7 USB/DVD Download tool can be used to create a USB or DVD installer for Windows 7 only, but it can be installed on:

  • Windows XP
  • Windows Vista
  • Windows 7
  • Windows Server 2003
  • Windows Server 2008

Download Windows 7 USB/DVD Download tool