Almost Somewhere

[UPDATE: Forget Windows 7. Upgrade to Windows 10 for free while you still can! Installing Windows 10 on the Lenovo 3000 Y410.]

Installing Windows 7 from a USB stick is faster and more reliable than from DVD drives. In fact, this is the only option for multitudes of netbooks and ultrabooks without DVD drives.

1. First, get yourself an ISO image of Windows 7. If you can get the one with SP1 integrated, the better. You can create the ISO from your Windows 7 DVD, or download a copy somewhere. Click here for a Google search results to get an ISO maker.
2. Download the Microsoft Windows 7 DVD to USB tool from Microsoft store.
3. Place the Windows 7 ISO somewhere on the hard drive of a working PC.
   Plug in your blank USB keys (4GB and above), and run the DVD to USB tool. This will create a bootable USB key from which you can install Windows 7 by booting.

To make things much easier, I also create a folder called “Extra” and copy over all my driver installers, and whatever software I always install on Windows 7. I use an 8GB USB key and there’s enough space for my drivers, Microsoft Office, and several more tools.

You can also use the USB key to boot your computer for troubleshooting and repairs, just like a Windows 7 DVD.

You may have to press some keys during BIOS boot to select the USB key as the boot device. On my Lenovo, it’s the F12 key. On many other computers, it could be F10. If not, go to the BIOS and select the boot device. You can get into most BIOS by pressing the Del or F2 key during BIOS boot.