Install Windows 8 from a USB Stick/SD Card ~ MinShock!! Geek

Install Windows 8 from a USB Stick/SD Card

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Well, I didn't have any DVDs available with me so I figured I'd install Windows 8 from an SD Card, and it succeeded, so here is a guide to install it from an SD Card or USB Stick.

AT LEAST AN 8GB SD CARD OR USB STICK IS NEEDED
THIS GUIDE ASSUMES YOU HAVE ANOTHER PARTITION TO INSTALL WINDOWS 8 OVER OR YOU'RE GOING TO INSTALL IT OVER YOUR CURRENT PARTITION.

Learn how to create a new partition here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/m.../gg309170.aspx

1. Download the ISO here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/br229516

2. Download Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool (this was meant for Windows 7 ISOs but it works fine with the Windows 8 ISO: http://images2.store.microsoft.com/p...B-DVD-tool.exe

3. Format your SD Card/USB Stick to NTFS, do not do a quick format, fully format it.

4. Install and open up Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool (This application requires at least .NET Framework 2.0)

5. Choose your ISO:

6. Choose media type (choose USB!):

7. Insert your USB Stick or SD Card and select it:

8. Wait for it to finish creating your bootable USB Stick/SD Card:

9. You should see this, If you don't something went wrong:

10. Choose "Safely Remove G: (or whatever drive letter your USB stick/SD Card is.)", but don't actually remove the USB Drive or SD Card physically.

11. Shut down your computer and press F12 (or whatever button it is that lets you choose what media to boot off of, it's F12 on my Inspiron 1545.)

12. If you followed these instructions exactly, and you using an SD Card, but it does not work, your computer probably does not support booting off SD. But I urge you to repeat step 10 a few times before giving up, the first time I tried it, it just sat at a flashing _, but the second time, it worked.

13. Follow instructions setup gives you.

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FAQ

Q: Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool seems to have stalled?!?
A: It probably hasn't, mine stayed on 98% for 30 minutes. If it has been more than say, 3 hours, cancel, reboot your computer and attempt again.

Q: Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool tells me it's not a valid iso!?
A: Make sure your ISO is not corrupt, compare SHA1 hashes with valid ISOs here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/br229516
If the hashes are different, redownload your ISO.

Q: I'm using an SD Card but my computer won't boot from it?!
A: Your computer probably doesn't support booting from SD Card, the only option would be a new computer.

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