Install via USB Flash Drive

Is it possible to install Windows 7 into a new virtual machine via a USB drive? If so, can someone show me simple directions for making it happen? The only options I see are from a disc or an image, and I have neither. Parallels 8 is completely up to date.

 

I didn't get it - what kind of Windows image do you have on your flash drive? Or do you mean to say you want to keep your virtual machine on the flash drive?

 

I mean that instead of a DVD or ISO image, the USB drive is my installation media.

 

Personally I spent last half day not getting this to work. And never getting it to work. Just downloaded this afternoon.

Funny how old-school Parallels is. I downloaded Windows 7 about a year ago.. and did not get an ISO, nor DVD. Just something that I burned to a USB drive. Parallels was NOT able to read this. It couldn't even read the USB. I had to create an ISO out of the contents of the USB,.. it didn't even work then.

When was the last time someone bought a Mac with a CD/DVD player in it? Who buys those? And again, an ISO file is NOT what I get when I download my Win7 installation.

Hope Parallels reads this. Move into 2013 guys.

 

Parallels USB Drive Installation Instructions

Hi rubes_MN,

Installation instructions are here: http://kb.parallels.com/en/4729

Use this tool to migrate your Windows 7 installation media to USB: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/html/pbPage.Help_Win7_usbdvd_dwnTool

Hope that helps!