Microsoft finally did something really cool with their latest release of Windows, Windows 7. If you purchase the program online, you can actually ask for either the ISO file (CD-Image) or the compressed files, like the install in a zip file. The great news is Microsoft also has a neat little tool that you can use to load the operating system right on a Memory Stick and install it to your computer from there.

This comes in handy for a lot of reasons. One for example, is you do not have to rely on having a CD-Rom or a functioning hard drive. Also, if you were to lose the discs somewhere this is a great alternative. If you can, make sure you burn yourself a copy of the discs, just to make sure you have a hard copy on hand. Microsoft charges just $14.95 to have them send you a copy, so that might not be a bad option in addition to the digital download.

The steps to install are amazingly easy.

1. Go to the Microsoft store and purchase yourself a shiny new copy of windows 7.
2. Make sure you select the ISO version.
3. Download and install the Microsoft Tool located here to make the USB memory stick bootable.
4. Restart your computer and enter the systems bios. (This usually is done by hitting delete when you turn it on.)
5. Set your boot up order to have USB be the first option. (You may want to check this before hand.)
6. Save your changes and exit the bios.

After making the changes to your systems BIOS, you will need to plug in your USB memory stick and restart your computer. If all the changes took, it will begin to load the Windows 7 setup right from your Memory stick. No CD’s required at all.

After the install is complete, make sure to pop back into your computer’s bios and change the settings back to boot from the hard drive first. Now is a good time to remind you that the computers bios has complete control over your PC. Changing the wrong setting in there can easily make your system not boot until it is corrected. Changing something as simple as the boot order however, is a pretty safe process. The only thing we would recommend is taking note of what the original settings were so you can change them back once you are done.

Also, remember your windows license allows you to make one copy for your own backup purposes. So there is nothing wrong with burning a copy of the physical discs to have as well, and for most cases using the CD install is just fine. This is just another way to install things. One way you may have to use if you are troubleshooting an issue, are having trouble with the CD-ROM/don’t have one, or are just into doing things a little different.