There are three recommended ways to install Windows 7 on a netbook or other PC that doesn't have an internal DVD drive:
Purchase and download Windows 7 from the Microsoft Store as an installation file. When you download Windows 7 in this format, you can install Windows 7 on your netbook just like any other program, with no additional tools or hardware. For more information about the options available in your country or region, go to the Microsoft Store website.
Purchase and download Windows 7 from the Microsoft Store as an ISO file, and copy it to a USB flash drive. If you need to start, or boot, your PC during Windows 7 installation (for example, if you want to format your hard disk during installation), you can download Windows 7 in a special format called an ISO file and use the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool to create a USB flash drive, which you can then use to install Windows 7 on your netbook.
Use an external DVD drive. If you already have a Windows 7 installation disc, you can attach an external DVD drive to your netbook to install Windows 7.
For more information about upgrading to Windows 7, see Upgrading to Windows 7: frequently asked questions.
Show all
Before you begin: Is your netbook ready for Windows 7?
Using an installation file to install Windows 7
Using a USB flash drive to install Windows 7
You can download Windows 7 from the Microsoft Store as an ISO file, and then use a 4 gigabyte (GB) or larger USB flash drive to install Windows 7. You can use the USB flash drive to start, or boot, your netbook during Windows 7 installation if you want to do any of the following:
Format the hard disk or perform other advanced disk management tasks—such as creating, extending, or deleting partitions—during Windows 7 installation.
Install Windows 7 on a netbook that isn't running Windows XP or Windows Vista.
Install a 64-bit version of Windows 7 on a netbook running a 32-bit version of Windows. (Many netbooks aren't 64-bit capable. Use the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to find out if your netbook can run a 64-bit operating system.)
To copy the ISO file to the USB flash drive, we recommend you use the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool. It transfers the ISO file to the USB flash drive (or to a DVD) and converts the drive so that you can use it to install Windows 7.
Notes
You can't install Windows 7 using the ISO file itself, or by simply copying the ISO file to a USB flash drive. You need to use the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool or other tool from another software provider.
You can download the ISO file and create the USB flash drive on another PC before installing it on your netbook. For example, if your netbook meets the minimum disk space requirements for installation but lacks enough free space to download or install Windows 7, you can download the ISO file to another PC and create the USB drive there. Then, you can insert the USB drive into your netbook to install Windows 7.
Most newer PCs can start from a USB device, but some older PCs might not have this capability. For more information, check the documentation that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website.
To purchase and download Windows 7 online as an ISO file
Go to the Microsoft Store website and complete your purchase.
On the Order Receipt webpage, click the Additional Download Options drop-down list, click either Download 32-bit ISO or Download 64-bit ISO, depending on which version of Windows 7 you want to install, and then click Download.
For more information about 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows, see 32-bit and 64-bit Windows: frequently asked questions.
To download and install the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool
Go to the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool webpage on the Microsoft Store website.
Under Installation, follow the instructions to download and install the tool on your PC.
To copy the Windows 7 ISO file to a USB flash drive
Before you begin:
Make sure you've already purchased and downloaded the Windows 7 ISO file to your PC.
Make sure you've copied any files on the USB flash drive to an external location. The Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool will erase any data on the USB flash drive.
Click the Start button , click All Programs, click the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool folder, and then click Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool.
Under Step 1 of 4: Choose ISO file, click Browse, browse to the Windows 7 ISO file you downloaded, click it, click Open, and then click Next.
Under Step 2 of 4: Choose media type, click USB device.
Under Step 3 of 4: Insert USB device, click your USB flash drive in the drop-down list, and then click Begin copying.
If you see a dialog box that says that there isn't enough free space on the USB flash drive, click Erase USB Device, and then click Yes.
When the process is finished, click the Close button in the upper-right corner of the window.
To install Windows 7 using a USB flash drive
If you don't need to start your netbook using the USB flash drive, you can simply browse to the USB flash drive, and then double-click setup.exe to begin Windows 7 installation.
To start your netbook using the USB flash drive:
Turn off your netbook, insert the USB flash drive, and then restart your netbook.
Press any key when prompted, and then follow the instructions that appear.
On the Install Windows page, choose your language and other preferences, and then click Next.
If the Install Windows page doesn't appear, and you're not asked to press any key, you might need to change some system settings. To learn how to do this, see Start your computer from a Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive.
Follow the instructions to finish installing Windows 7.
For detailed instructions on installing Windows 7, see Installing and reinstalling Windows 7.
Using an external DVD drive to install Windows 7
Troubleshooting low disk space errors
Article ID: MSW700009
Was this helpful?