Howto Install Windows XP On a USB Flash Or Pen Drive

You can install Windows XP on a USB pen so that you can troubleshoot problem or take your office with you. From the article:

All it takes is a minor error in the Windows Registry or a virus infection, and your operating system can become unbootable. But with a properly configured USB flash drive on hand, you’ll always have a compatible replacement no further away than your pocket or keychain. In addition, the flash drive can also provide a secure browser and virus scanner, and lets you take your favorite DVD burning and Office software with you wherever you may go

All that’s needed is a bootable USB Flash drive with at least 256 MB of storage capacity and a Windows Setup CD. Using the program Bart PE Builder (Freeware), you can install Windows XP on the flash drive, along with other software as needed (and as available space permits)…

Boot Windows From USB Pen Drive
Boot Windows From USB Pen Drive

=> Read more at: Tom’s hardware site…

You can do the same thing with Linux and USB pen drive.

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194 thoughts on “Howto Install Windows XP On a USB Flash Or Pen Drive”

  2. How can i install windows xp via usb pen drive. tell me all details about it.

  8. I had install wildows xp to my pendrive with PE builder software but it can’t work. do you provide me the step how to install it??

  9. Is their any antivirus software which can be installed on the pendrive and protect it from the virus of pc to which it is connected

  10. i only have a floppy drive on my ibm think pad and i need to re-install windows but i bought an usb cd drive and still cant do it! my computer wont load all the way to windows it just says following file missing windows/system32/config any chance of a help plz?

  17. Ok, I want to make a USB flash bootable, and make a medium from install Xp?
    Could You help me , step by step

  18. respected sir

    my name is harpret i want know can i use my pen drive for booting device or windows xp running disk plese send me detail. thanking you ……………
    and please send best antivirus and spyware doctors………

    thanking you……………..

  19. I guess this post just solves the question you people are again and again asking …
    u ppl are lazy … try to understand how Bart PE builder works and u get you answer …

  21. my name is jitender,I want to know can I use my pen drive for booting device or windows xp running disk please help me.I will be thank ful to you…
    and please send best antivirus software…

  23. How can i install windows xp via usb pen drive. tell me all details about it. please send my E-mail ID
    Thanks

  24. In my system “NTLDR file missing” this problem is occured…
    Please, give me a solution to solve this problem by using USB Pen Drive

  25. How can i install windows xp via usb pen drive. tell me all details about it. Pls send to my mIL ID.

    REGARDS

    prashant

  26. how can install windows xp in usb pen drive . please tell me all details step by step, these details send through the my mail
    with best regards,
    Jayaraju

  27. Dear Sir, Please help me…..
    How to make a USB flash bootable?
    How to install windows xp on usb pen drive?
    And How to install windows xp from usb pen drive?
    How to get or used PE builder software?
    And let me know for Linux installation / from pendrive or to the pendrive
    Thanks a lot if you please.

  28. plz tell me how can i instal windows xp through pendrive? how can i make a bootable win xp in pendrive?

  30. How can i install windows xp via usb pen drive. tell me all details about it. Pls send to my E-mail id

  31. How can i install windows xp via usb pen drive. tell me all details about it. Pls send to my mIL ID

  35. how can i make the pen drive is bootable .
    i want to start my system without use HDD i only boot my system with the use of pen drive i want to boot my FREE DOS OS .
    if any possibility is there plese send me E-mail
    THANKS………..

  39. hi
    when i am trying to install xp on usb drive, i am getting error will you solve my problem.

    Thanks
    nuthan

  42. i want to know what it can do weather it can run outlook also ie, outlook express independently ??

  45. plz tell me how can i instal windows xp through pendrive? how can i make a bootable win xp in pendrive?

  46. your idea worked well but is there any way to access internet and policies of pc using bart pe.

  47. i tried to use nero 8 and norton ghost 12 with bart pe but it is
    never error or warning less can anybody help and how a can
    add toolbar in bart pe as in xp
    HELP !

  49. Please forward complete details to the above weblink.
    If possible, also forward the pictorial representation .

    Thanks in advance.

  50. plz tell me how can i instal windows xp through pendrive? how can i make a bootable win xp in pendrive?

  52. just star the xp installation and select your USB (at least 2Gb) as the hard disc drive you install it to

  53. How to intall windows xp on using USB pen drive bcuz my CD -ROM is not working …,
    Plz tell me How to Install windows XP without using CD .

  54. Hi

    I want to install win XP in pendrive and use as a frist boot device . Tell me full procedure how it is possible. i am having 845 mother board in my desktop.

  56. Please can you tell how to install windows xp on a USB flash drive step by step plz i really need help my computer has crashed and i cant loose my important files.

  58. HELLO BROTHER ITS VERY EASY TO INSTALL XP THREW PEN DRIVE PLZ CONTINUE THESE STEPS TO INSTALL XP THREW PEN DRIVE

    STEPS:-
    1. http://files.extremeoverclocking.com/file.php­?f=197/
    CLICK ON PRIMARY DOWNLOAD SITE & DOWNLOAD USB DRIVE BOOTABLE TOOL

    2. AFTER THAT ON THE ABOVE OF THIS PAGE CLICK ON http://files.extremeoverclocking.com/file.php?f=196/

    CLICK ON PRIMARY DOWNLOAD SITE

    3. COPY XP FILES ON PEN DRIVE WITH FOLDER NAME(WINXP)

    4. BOOT FROM USB

    5. AFTER COMPLETE BOOTING U WILL SEE THE PROMP C:/>

    6. C:/>

    7. CD WINXP

    8. C:/WINXP>CD I386

    9. C:/WINXP/I386>WINNT

    10 NOW UR COMP START SOME FILES AFTER COMPLETING THIS UR COMP WILL RESTART

    11. DOESN,T REMOVE UR PEN DRIVE BUT SELECT OPTION BOOT FROM HARD DISK

    12. DONT FORMAT THE C: AND CONTINUE UR INSTALLATION AS A BOOTABLE CD

  60. HELLO BROTHER ITS VERY EASY TO INSTALL XP THREW PEN DRIVE PLZ CONTINUE THESE STEPS TO INSTALL XP THREW PEN DRIVE

    STEPS:-
    1. http://files.extremeoverclocking.com/file.php­?f=197/
    CLICK ON PRIMARY DOWNLOAD SITE & DOWNLOAD USB DRIVE BOOTABLE TOOL

    2. AFTER THAT ON THE ABOVE OF THIS PAGE CLICK ON http://files.extremeoverclocking.com/file.php?f=196/

    CLICK ON PRIMARY DOWNLOAD SITE

    3. COPY XP FILES ON PEN DRIVE WITH FOLDER NAME(WINXP)

    4. BOOT FROM USB

    5. AFTER COMPLETE BOOTING U WILL SEE THE PROMP C:/>

    6. C:/>SMARTDRV

    7. CD WINXP

    8. C:/WINXP>CD I386

    9. C:/WINXP/I386>WINNT

    10 NOW UR COMP START SOME FILES AFTER COMPLETING THIS UR COMP WILL RESTART

    11. DOESN,T REMOVE UR PEN DRIVE BUT SELECT OPTION BOOT FROM HARD DISK

    12. DONT FORMAT THE C: AND CONTINUE UR INSTALLATION AS A BOOTABLE CD

  65. hello…………sir pls tell
    how can i make a bootable cd for NTFS partitions.
    & how can i make a bootable pen drive

  67. plz help me sir.

    how to make a bootebal pendrive
    bootable winxp

    plz give me details……………..

  68. How can i install windows xp via usb pen drive. tell me all details about it . plz sir sand me . i am from bangladesh

  70. HI GANESHAN
    WHILE INSTALLING FROM PEN DRIVE IT STARTS INSTALLING ON MY PEN DRIVE
    IN ADDITION MY COMP DOES NOT RESTARTS AS U SAID

  72. Hi this is Muralidharan from Chennai. For the past 5 days I’m struggling to install Windows XP on my pen drive but I was not able to install on it.
    I’m having a 4Gb Transcend pen drive. Please guide me how to install windows XP on my pen drive it will be very helpful.
    Expecting your reply on my mail as soon thanks in advance

    Thanks & Regards
    Muralidharan

  73. plz help me that i have WindowXP in my pen drive but some how it is not working,
    while starting it a message written on it appears that need repair press ‘r’ and asking for the CD rom

  74. Hi, this is really good but not only we should keep bootable pendrive but also pen drive should contain whole bootable XP so that any time if CD-ROM gets vanished and we need to install fresh copy we can do it. Mainly in laptops. Thanks.

  75. hi any body to know, how to istall windows xp in copmaq cq40 laptop
    plz give me any solution

  80. my problem is when i copy windos file after 100% for pent drive ill restart my computer and run my pc ill get blue screen it will shows pls remu newly instald hardware and restart your computer this is my problem pls give me the ans

  82. how can i make bootable pendrive.
    any software!!!!!!! please send me.
    and details it

  88. HOW TO INSTALL AN OS(ANY OPERATING SYSTEM) FROM AN USB OR EXTERENAL USB HARDDRIVE

    hi i read all the post’s …… pls if u really have a solution for my question send it to my id as soon as possible

  91. Have you tried it yourself.
    I treid and found that even after 1 hr the setup did not start it was just copying files than i have to
    quit. It is very slow process

  92. Actually u have to keep a dos file in u’r pen drive called “Smartdrv.exe”…
    It is happening i have done it….

  94. Mr. ashok first u have to download dos file it is available on internet, u have to search u will get the file name is “solution.rar” u have to extract these files by using winrar software it is same like winzip…
    by using this u have to make u’r pen drive bootable as…
    1-click on “HpUSBformat” file. click on create ms-dos startup disk then give the path of the dos file where it is located in u’r pc.
    2-click on start button, a warning window will appear click ok or yes, then close it.
    3-copy all the dos files to u’r pen drive.(it should not be in any folder it should be pasted out only).
    4-copy u’r XP CD to u’r pendrive..(it should not be in any folder it should be pasted out only).
    5-set u’r bios boot priority as u’r pendrive..(during this setting pendrive should be plugged).
    6-restart u’r computer.
    7-it will start with windows98 startup type.
    8-then it will appear with c:\> like this.
    9-write c:\>cd i386.
    10- then write c:\>cd i386:\>winnt
    11-a blue screen will appear press enter.
    12.it will copy some files then it will ask for press enter and give u a message that remove other media like A: but dont remove u’r pen drive.Press Enter.
    13-computer will restart.
    14-again boot and select option to upgrade windows xp.
    15-then simply install xp to u’r computer.
    Install and enjoy…

  95. i want to install window xp through pendrive in my pc, how is it possible please tell me the answer in my email id.

  100. well if u just want to take out files then try
    barts-pe ..
    u can get it from here http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

    remember this is just a booting disk that gives u Graphical User Interface to put your files in safe places thats it.
    its not substitute OS.

  102. can anyone tell me how to install win XP sp2 on my pendrive (Transcend 16 GB)?.
    I am using windows vista and my study related software runs only in XP.
    i want to keep vista in laptop and Xp in pendrive.
    I am not technical person so please help me out.
    thank you in advance…..

  104. how i install window vista in pendrive
    reply must otherwise it will be difficult for you
    i think you must understand my fellings
    okkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
    byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

  105. Dear sunil,and all other users, XP or Vista can’t be installed on pen drive because XP doesn’t allows to install in pen drive.But it can be installed from pen drive to Hard disk.Operating system can’t be installed to removable device.So don’t expect for solution.As a soultion there are boot cd’s,which completely boot xp with all features of XP.But it run from Ram.

  108. hi sir ,
    i am harwinder singh from ludhiana , when u’ll get all the details regarding ur question then please send me the same.thanx

  109. first U just go 2 BIOS by pressing f2 key and then enable the USB boot After that U can boot from pendrive And u can install

  110. Well to start with, the thought of installing Windows to a pen drive ( like Linux in pendirve) is lingering in mind from 2 – 3 years. I had given a try following the instructions above. To start with i have tried installing to a ReWritable CD. I have unplugged any hard disks i have to do it, though this is not required.
    Result : The installation is good but the disappointment is that it not exactly Windows, its Windows files used with a shell of Bart PE, The desktop is different, Start menu is different, seeing all these i didn’t go ahead and installed and required drivers / software. Thus it ended with disappointment.
    I have tried directly by selecting to install in PenDrive but it fails….. I have tried with some NTLDR hacking and some things no positive results as of now but still will keep trying …

    Ubuntu installation in Pendrive is a piece of cake.
    :) have a long week end will try and update.

  111. But Instaling Win 98 must be easy as Dos can be directly installed. so keeping this in line XP installation must be possible may be upgrading 98 – XP.

  123. How to install win xp by using pen drive. I want step by step details please reply me fast. thanfs

  125. How to install win xp by using pen drive. I want step by step details after restart machine
    please reply me fast. thanx

  127. how to install window in pendrive and how to use that pendrive in other system as a operating system?
    how to install office in pendrive after install window in pen drive?

    please send me answer in steps on my email id.
    i am wating for which person give me first answer.

    thanks.

  128. dear please tell us
    how to install windows xp in pendrive………………step by step plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

  130. how to install window in pendrive and how to use that pendrive in other system as a operating system?
    how to install office in pendrive after install window in pen drive?

    please send me answer in steps on my email id.
    i am wating for which person give me first answer.

    thanks.

  136. how to install win xp by using pen drive. i want step by step details.
    we boot to pen drive we change the option 1st boot usb?
    install xp in a pendrive .?

  141. i made bootable pen drive but its not detucting when to install it form the pen drive how to install os form pendrive

  144. please tell us
    how to install windows xp in pendrive………………step by step

  147. How to install win xp by using pen drive. I want step by step details please reply me fast. thanfs

    Reply

  148. plz give file and folder which help me to make successful bootable pen drive (window xp).

  150. let me clear one thing, clear question. I mean TO PENDRIVE or FROM PENDRIVE.
    Anyway i want to install xp into a pendrive. how its possible?

  151. please help me with the step by step information on how i can load a windows xp operating system int an external usb drive,and mae it bootable to use in maing a fresh installation of my pc.if there is any aditional tutorl ,please send to my box with the add [email protected]
    thans

  154. Hello friends , I am Mukesh charan I DONT, S HOW TO make a my Pendrive bootable so Plz tell Me Something Guideline and full Mathod of the pendrive bootable i have a 4gb trancend pendrive and what s mthod of format pc ………..thanks to all about
    Mukesh

  155. u have to change the bios configuration…….. n give priority to the usb-flash driev

  156. please help me with the step by step information on how i can load a windows xp operating system int an external usb drive

  157. could you please help me reboot my notebook i am no good at these things please i realy need you.

  159. Installing Xp Via pen Drive is very easy Just U need The Software like Hp usb Disk Format Tool and ultra Iso
    Software U just have to first Format the Pen drive Using Hp Format tool and then open ultra Iso In tha Go t0
    Bootable Tab in that write disk Image

    after that a table will open select ur pen drive and keep Write Method to Usb Hdd+ and then press write now ur pen drive is bootable now after that…….

    Go to Ur xp Dir and copy only I386 folder to pendrive now all that u have an bootable xp on pendrive

    Now just boot and enjoy…..Enstalling

  163. how to install window in pendrive and how to use that pendrive in other system as a operating system?
    how to install office in pendrive after install window in pen drive?

    please send me answer in steps on my email id.
    i am wating for which person give me first answer.

    thanks.

  164. sir i have one problem when i install xp on existing crashed xp the system after some time restarted and we hav to intsall re
    give me this solution on me email-id

  167. sir i’m trying to installation on pendrive but it send error. i what to do sir . please help.

  168. how to install XP on pendrive? after instalation how to instal other software like office 2007. it’s possible? if it’s possible plz give me the instructions

  169. Let’s begin the guide without wasting time. Just make sure that you have a pen drive with 4GB + capacity if you are making a bootable USB flash drive.
    Requirements to create bootable Windows USB:
    # Windows 7 or Vista ISO
    # Pen drive with 4GB+ (2 GB is sufficient for XP)
    # 15 Minutes of free time
    Procedure:
    1. Insert your USB flash/pen drive to your system and backup all the data from the USB as your USB drive will be formatted during the process.
    2. Now download WinToFlash tool (free) from here.

    3. Run the tool, and browse to your Windows 7, Vista, or XP DVD files (make sure that your USB drive letter is correct).

    4. Click Create button to begin the bootable USB process. Wait for few minutes to see the bootable USB.
    5. That’s all!
    You might also like our how to make portable Windows 7 & install Windows 7 virtual box guides.
    Tags: Bootable USB, Bootable Windows 7, Vis

  172. i want the procedure to install os in a pen drive. i was realy need it plz reply me faster

  176. I do not have a hard disc in my PC. CD-ROM is working and I have Win XP SP2 installation CD. I want to utilize my 4 GB pend drive as hard disk. Can I install win XP SP2 in my pen drive? Whether my system will boot properly. My BIOS shows that it can boot through USB-HDD. Plz suggest.

  182. Hey

    I want to load windows on a memory stick.. I have a small computer.. The size of a portrayed..
    It haven’t got a CD-Rom.. And can only boot with a usb.. I will like to use it in my car.. Bat need to load windowes on the usb.. I trade doing it on my computer, it just gives me a error telling me you can not load windowes on usb.. The small computer that I have is 1gb ram good display.. An 8000(133×6.0) cpu it picks up the usb in the bios its like a normal computer.. If you like I can send you a foto of the product
    Please need help with this thanks

  183. My laptop cd drive not working. Now i want to install windows XP in my laptop. Is it possible to install OS with the help of Pen drive. Please tell me how to install

  185. hi i am fawad from Pakistan i have a notebook sony vaio and its hdd id to costly for this laptop i want to install window xp on USB drive and the method you type isn’t working please help me how to install win xp on usb

  187. my dvd writer is not working so that i face problem to install window in my laptop . please recommended me how to install window xp or window 7 by using pendrive..

  190. NO SIR, IT WON’T WORK! I TOO HAVE ALREADY FACED THIS PROBLEM 7 I EXPERIMENTED WITH THIS ISSUE. IT’S A WASTE OF TIME. SOMETIME THAT OS MAY INSTALL BUT IT DOESN’T WORK….
    BETTER BUY A NEW HDD OR TRY TO MAKE USE OF ANY OLD USED HDD. YOU CAN BUY SOME USED HDD IN ONLINE SHOPPING SITE LIKE “ebay” OR I THINK YOU CAN INSTALL IN A EXTERNAL HARD DISC TOO! I HAVEN’T EXPERIMENTED WITH EXTERNAL HDD, BUT THERE ARE MORE CHANCES FOR THAT…

  191. Hi,
    I want to install winxp by the help of usb drive, plz suggest me how can i install and how can i make my usb bootable.

  192. sir can i install any software such as autocad,photoshop,etc..,in a usb pendrive so that i can take that software with me to any place which is more usefull because some times i have to make a presentation with that software which the other person dont have that software in their computer

  194. Hi,
    I want to install winxp by the help of usb drive, plz suggest me how can i install and how can i make my usb bootable.sir iam not working

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