Install windows from hdd

[thatwasonce]

Could I create a partition with windows 7 installation files on it, mark it active, then install windows from it?
Basicly always have an emergency partition for reinstalling windows.
If not. Can I use my 8gb ssd and install from it?

 

[Guest]

i have done what you first asked and it was a pretty handy way to install windows (actually it was vista cuz . .well i reinstalled vista a lot)

however it would not be "bootable". you would need to know how to use the command prompt to navigate to the partition and use setup.exe

 

[unksol]

Seems it's be easier and make more sense to use a flash drive as Microsoft makes a tool for that, it's bootable and flash drives are cheap.

If I were going to bother with a harddrive I'd have an image there taken after install/activation/updates/basic programs were installed. Much quicker to restore to"new"

 

[thatwasonce]

im putting windows 8 on my ssd, how would i boot the install

 

[unksol]

What exactly are you trying to do? Have a way to go back to 7 if you install 8? Or...?

There's instructions on how to create a USB boot stick on the page, or you just burn the ISO, and then you just select to boot from whichever one, so I guess I'm not getting the question.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/download