Installing Windows 7 Without the CD

[Xlack]

I have a Windows 7 CDKey just not installing disc's, I just bought a 128 gb Curcial SSD for my boot. I want to reinstall win7 to this SSD then take my backup and add that to the SSD. My question is how can I do this?

Thanks

 

[t53186]

What happened to the install CD? Your system specs indicate this is a custom build. If you don't have, or cannot get the original CD you could migrate WIN7 to the SSD-maybe

 

[Xlack]

What happened to the install CD? Your system specs indicate this is a custom build. If you don't have, or cannot get the original CD you could migrate WIN7 to the SSD-maybe

Ye it is, Bought it from a friend and never came with Windows 7.. Just a CDKey, i've been trying that actually i have a HDD to SSD transfers cable, but the program will not let me select just my C: Drive (HDD Split into C and E).. Idk what program will allo w me to do this.

 

[Supermuncher85]

Do a USB install. Searching the forum should give plenty of hits.

 

[Xlack]

Do a USB install. Searching the forum should give plenty of hits.

I need Windows 7 Disc for this tho? URL me?

 

[ram1009]

Don't you know someone with a W7 disk you can borrow and use your own key?

 

[Xlack]

Don't you know someone with a W7 disk you can borrow and use your own key?

I have Windows 7 Enterprise..? So No haha

 

[t53186]

One thought is to use WIN7 backup utility to back up your C drive only and make a system image, also make an emergency repair disc. This is all done using the backup utility which is buit in to win 7. Them use the emergency repair CD to boot from and restore the OS to your SSD just as if you had a complete hard disc failure. Sound easy? it really is. But you will now have a dual boot system. Maybe your friend has the original CD.

 

[Xlack]

One thought is to use WIN7 backup utility to back up your C drive only and make a system image, also make an emergency repair disc. This is all done using the backup utility which is buit in to win 7. Them use the emergency repair CD to boot from and restore the OS to your SSD just as if you had a complete hard disc failure. Sound easy? it really is. But you will now have a dual boot system. Maybe your friend has the original CD.

Cloning Hard drive to SSD sounds a bit easier, Don't really want a Dual boot. Just need a Program that will clone my HDD C: to my SSD, then I can just delete the HDD C:? or am I talking crazy

 

[Supermuncher85]

Cloning from an HDD to a ssd is not a great idea. Some of the tweaks you want might be missing.
I used easus for my last bit-to-bit cloning. Slow but worked.

There are plenty of download links for windows7 but none for enterprise, which by the way you can't activate anyway unless you are running a KMS/MAK server.

 

[Xlack]

Cloning from an HDD to a ssd is not a great idea. Some of the tweaks you want might be missing.
I used easus for my last bit-to-bit cloning. Slow but worked.

There are plenty of download links for windows7 but none for enterprise, which by the way you can't activate anyway unless you are running a KMS/MAK server.

I cloned my HDD to the ssd, its workin fine and way faster then the HDD. I have enabled the different commands needed for a ssd and my boot time is now around 30 seconds compared to the 2 mins

Any tips i can do? Windows 7 is like 200 dollers..

 

[Supermuncher85]

Lots of useful tips in this post http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/268300-32-where-windows-tips-thingy

Glad to hear you got it working with the clone!

 

[Xlack]

Lots of useful tips in this post http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/268300-32-where-windows-tips-thingy

Glad to hear you got it working with the clone!

Wish it could have been better! but.. ye its working.. Now CoreTemp says I am only running 2 cores.. when I should be running 4..

 

[wpcoe]

If the future calls for a re-installation of Win7, create a bootable USB stick from your Win7 Enterprise DVD. (Google how to do that, if you need to.)

At that point you can only install Win7 Enterprise from the USB stick, *BUT* if you delete one file on the USB stick -- ei.cfg -- you will be prompted during installation which version of Windows 7 you want to install.

There is also the option to edit the ei.cfg file (again, Google is your friend), but for me, it was simpler to just delete it.

While you can choose any version of Windows during the installation, your Product Key is only valid for the type it was issued.

 

[Xlack]

If the future calls for a re-installation of Win7, create a bootable USB stick from your Win7 Enterprise DVD. (Google how to do that, if you need to.)

At that point you can only install Win7 Enterprise from the USB stick, *BUT* if you delete one file on the USB stick -- ei.cfg -- you will be prompted during installation which version of Windows 7 you want to install.

There is also the option to edit the ei.cfg file (again, Google is your friend), but for me, it was simpler to just delete it.

While you can choose any version of Windows during the installation, your Product Key is only valid for the type it was issued.

Yup was going to do that! but don't have the DVD for Win7..

 

[wpcoe]

Oh, above when asked if you knew someone who had a Windows DVD you could borrow, you said: "I have Windows 7 Enterprise..? So No haha," so I thought you had access to a DVD, just not an Enterprise version DVD. You can use a non-Enterprise version DVD to install Enterprise. Guess I misunderstood!

 

[rorouni]

to install Windows 7 from USB, you need a minimum of 4gb free memory(Flash drive) with NTFS format.. then use WintoFlash application, and then a windows 7 DVD. using wintoFlas you can transfer the DVD to the flash drive as a bootable disc,, then on your computer boot from flash drive or USB should be enabled from
Bios.. very easy,

 

[Supermuncher85]

Wish it could have been better! but.. ye its working.. Now CoreTemp says I am only running 2 cores.. when I should be running 4..

Check -> start -> type in "msconfig" (hit enter) -> boot-> Advanced Options -> Number of processors