How to Clone Windows 7 to USB [Complete Guide]

Updated by

Tracy King 

Written by

Cici 

Updated on April 22, 2024

Although Microsoft ended its support for Windows 7 in 2020, many users still rely on it as a robust operating system. There might be various reasons why you'd want to clone Windows 7 to a USB drive and use it as a bootable disk.

How to Copy Windows 7 to USB? Is It Possible?

The answer to this question depends on what tool you choose to use for copying Windows 7 to a USB flash drive or a USB external drive.

The disk management tool with Windows 7, such as Disk Management and Diskpart, doesn't support cloning Windows 7 to USB. But don't worry.

This article will introduce an excellent Windows cloning tool - reliable Windows cloning software - tools Partition Master Professional to help you easily clone Windows 7 to USB.

IMPORTANT: Be sure to follow the entire guide on this page to successfully clone Windows 7 to a USB drive.

Further Reading: The Easiest USB Clone Tool to Clone USB Stick

Preparing to Clone Windows 7 to USB

To ensure a seamless cloning of Windows 7 to USB without any data loss, you'll need to do the following preparatory steps:

< strong > 1. Backup the data on the USB < / strong >

The cloned Windows 7 data will overwrite everything on the USB drive. If you have any important data on it, you can use the built-in Windows tool or professional backup software to back up your data.

To guarantee that all Windows 7 data is successfully cloned with no loss, you must ensure that the available space on the USB drive is greater than the used space on the Windows 7 hard disk. Open File Explorer or Disk Management to check and confirm whether there is sufficient storage capacity on the USB device.

Make sure the format of the USB is correct.

The USB drive format needs to be the same as the operating system's disk format. It's recommended that you format the USB drive using CMD or other formatting tools to get enough space for Windows 7 cloning. You can initialize the USB to MBR (Master Boot Record) or GPT (GUID Partition Table).

4. Download a reliable cloning tool

As Windows doesn't provide a cloning tool, you can download Partition Master to clone Windows 7 to USB. This tool supports system and partition cloning and can safely clone all Windows data. Let's see how it works.

How to Clone Windows 7 to USB with a Step-by-Step Guide

tools Partition Master is an all-encompassing disk management tool. It caters to all Windows users, accommodating Windows 7/8/10/11 as well as Windows XP/Vista. It features a user-friendly interface for cloning Windows to an external hard drive, making the process comprehensible even for beginners. Let's proceed with the steps below to learn how to clone Windows 7 to a USB drive.

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant, go to the “Disk Clone” tab, select “Clone OS Disk” and click “Next”.

Step 2. Select the target new drive where you want to clone the OS to, and click "Next".

Select the target drive to clone OS to

Click “Yes” to confirm that you want to proceed with the OS disk cloning.

Click "Clone" to proceed.

Step 3. Review the disk layout, and click "Start" to begin the OS cloning process.

Step 4. When the process completes, you'll see a confirmation message asking if you want to start your computer from the clone target disk.

1.
• Reboot Now means to restart your PC and set up the computer to boot the operating system from the new disk immediately.
2.
• Done means you wish to apply the changes at a later time.

 

"Tip to Set Windows 7 Boot from USB"

To boot and run Windows 7 from the USB drive, plug the USB drive into the source computer and set the cloned USB as the boot disk. Follow these steps to boot Windows from the cloned USB:

❗Note that you can only boot Windows 7 from USB on the source computer.

Step 1. Connect the USB cable to your computer.

Step 2. Restart your computer. Press and hold F2/F8/Del to access the BIOS settings.

Step 3. Set the cloned USB as the boot disk on the right side.

Change Boot Order

Step 4. Save the changes.

Tools Partition Master is a powerful utility that can clone Windows to another drive or clone Windows to a new SSD. You can download Tools Partition Master and experience the convenience of disk partitioning.

Why Clone Windows 7 to USB

Cloning Windows 7 to USB involves transferring all the data within Windows 7, including the operating system and applications, onto a USB drive. Cloning Windows 7 to USB can bring significant convenience to our computing experience. The main reasons for cloning Windows to a USB drive typically include: 1. **Portability**: Having a portable copy of Windows 7 on a USB allows you to boot and use the operating system on any compatible computer, making it easy to work on different machines without reinstalling software. 2. **Backup and Recovery**: Cloning your system to USB serves as a backup in case of hardware failure or other issues. You can quickly restore your system to its previous state using this clone. 3. **Testing and Troubleshooting**: IT professionals and enthusiasts often use cloned Windows installations on USB drives for testing updates, troubleshooting problems, or demonstrating software on multiple devices without affecting their primary systems. 4. **Demonstrations and Presentations**: A cloned Windows 7 on USB can be useful for showcasing software or giving presentations, as it ensures a consistent environment across different computers. 5. **Upgrading Hardware**: If you're planning to upgrade your computer's hardware, cloning your current system to USB lets you easily transfer the OS to the new setup without needing to reinstall everything. 6. **Secure Booting**: In some cases, booting from a USB can provide an extra layer of security, as it prevents unauthorized access to your system by ensuring that only verified operating systems can start up. Remember that cloning Windows 7 to USB requires a compatible USB drive with sufficient storage space and appropriate cloning software. Additionally, ensure that the target computer supports booting from USB to utilize the cloned Windows effectively.

< strong >1. Create a backup and avoid OS failure< /strong >

Windows 7 is an older system that is susceptible to system crashes. Cloning Windows 7 to a USB drive can facilitate data restoration in the event of a system failure.

Create a removable bootable disk

Cloning Windows 7 to USB creates a portable Windows USB that can be used to boot Windows on other computers in case of emergencies or when needed.

3. Avoid the hassle of reinstalling Windows

When you copy the OS, apps, and other data together to the USB, you can install Windows programs directly on the new PC, which is faster and saves time.

In short, cloning Windows 7 to USB is a great option. You can boot your computer from USB and use your Windows 7 system even when your PC fails.

Conclusion

Do you know how to clone Windows 7 to USB? This article outlines the reasons for cloning Windows 7 to USB to assist you in understanding your requirements better. It also covers the preparatory work involved before cloning and the step-by-step process to ensure a successful cloning operation.

With the tool Partition Master, cloning is no longer an issue. It also has many other great features. Therefore, I highly recommend downloading it and giving it a try.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cloning Windows 7 to USB

Here are some common questions people frequently ask, along with brief answers. I hope this proves useful to you.

**1. Can you clone Windows to a USB drive?**

You can clone Windows to USB, although Windows built-in tools don't offer a cloning feature. Utilizing dependable third-party software, such as Partition Master, is also an excellent option.

2. How to copy Windows 7 to USB?

This article gives you the prep and a step-by-step walkthrough for cloning Windows 7 to a USB. Tool: Partition Master is a pretty straightforward cloning tool.

Step 1. Download the tool Partition Master and open it. Select "Disk Clone" on the left side.

Step 2. Choose "Clone OS Disk" and click "Next."

Step 3. Choose the target USB drive and click "Next" and "Yes" when a pop-up appears.

Step 4. Click "Start" to begin cloning Windows 7 to USB.

You can use tools like Partition Master to clone Windows 7 to USB and then enter the BIOS environment to change the boot order, setting the cloned USB as the boot disk.