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Bootcamp: Install Windows 7 with a USB stick.

Tags:
  • Windows 7
  • iMac
  • Mac OS X
Last response: in Mac Os X
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April 19, 2014 6:21:16 AM

I have an iMac 21.5inch from Mid 2010 and it currently runs Snow Leopard 10.6.8. I have just purchased the upgrade to Mountain Lion but I have not received the code to install it yet. When I do install it, I'm planning to dual boot my iMac to have Mountain Lion and Windows 7 on it. I have the Superdrive built into the side of the iMac but unfortunately I have run out of discs to burn the official Windows 7 ISO into (from Digital river). The discs cannot be rewritten on because it's a DVD-R so I was wondering if I could install from my 8GB USB stick even though I have a built-in Superdrive. I heard there's an option to do this and I was also wondering if by doing this option, will it automatically put the Windows support software onto it as it says on the second option "Download Windows Support ....."

Also, I have heard my specific iMac can experience a black screen when installing Windows and you need to download some stuff and put it in your USB as it says on the article. Is it possible for me to make my USB bootable by doing the first option in the Bootcamp Assistant as well as put the Windows support software I downloaded from the black screen article into it?

TL;DR: Can I install Windows 7 using my USB stick instead of using a DVD? Can I make the USB bootable to install Windows whilst also having the support software in it?

If I have any more questions, I'll be sure to ask them in this thread.

More about : bootcamp install windows usb stick

April 21, 2014 3:14:46 PM

Installing from a USB drive is more efficient and faster, and yes it can be done. I'd recommend some ISO burning software for doing it on a Windows machine, since that's the easiest way and it works perfect.

I would however recommend Mavericks over Lion; it's a much better OS and it fixed a lot of issues Lion had. You might be able to request a refund through the Apple store. Just mention that it is not working on your system and you might also add that you'd like to get Mavericks instead.
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April 22, 2014 9:41:36 AM

So you're telling me that I can install Windows from my USB stick and also put the Support Software into it so it carries the drivers and boot files? This is possible even though I have a superdrive?

Thanks for answering, I just want to confirm this.

THIS WAS BEFORE: Also, I want to ask if I burnt an ISO (Windows) to my disc properly. I went to Disk Utility, selected the ISO and clicked Burn. I then chose the slowest speed and when it was done, Bootcamp wouldn't recognise it after partitioning. I inserted the disc to another computer running Windows and I could see the files like setup.exe etc.

Did I burn it wrong or something? Am I supposed to select the disc, click Burn and select the ISO or did what I do was right (select ISO, click Burn to Superdrive)?
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