Things required to prepare XP/Vista live USB
1. Microsoft Windows XP/Vista CD/DVD
2. Two GB or more capacity pen drive
3. Net connection( No need to worry about the speed of the connection. I am doing this on a slow internet connection). It’s a matter of few MBs
4. CD/DVD to make live CD/DVD.
5. WinBuild software, using which we are going to create live CD.
*Download the WinBuild Here (It’s just 834KBs!)
*Extract the file and copy it to a New Folder (Recommended required space is 2GB)
*Unpack and Run Winbuilder (no installation required!)
*On your mark, get set, go…
Steps to create Vista/XP live CD/USB
1. The first screen of WinBuilder gives you a brief explanation on how to use this magnificent program. You can read all the necessary instructions here. Switch to the Download tab to proceed further.
2. This is the download screen of WinBuilder were you need to select required tools, drivers and other crucial applications required for a live CD/USB. As you can see in the screenshot, you need to choose one option from the available three (Recommended, Complete, or Minimum) options in the drop-down menu. You can further remove from the list which shows just below these three options.
3. After selecting the required option, press the Download button, which is located just below the left side pane. The time required to download depends on what options you have selected in the left side pane just before. Download size is around 40 MB.
4. The next one is the Scripts tab. Once again you will see a list of options on the left pane of the wizard. Here, check the VistaPE MUltiboot/XP option and expand the tree further.
5. Expand the tree named Applications. In this option, you will see all the available sections of applications, which you can add to your live Vista/XP CD/USB.
6. Next screen is the Finalize option. It might take a few minutes to build the live media. If you like to create a live CD, select the ‘Create ISO’ option and provide the label for the CD.
9. The extraction process takes place. Wait for a minute.
Wait for few seconds to see you. Burn the ISO to get your dream live Windows.
10. Now, your bootable USB/CD is ready.
11. Insert the CD/USB and kick start your live Windows operating system.
Note: Make sure your system supports ‘booting from the USB’ before creating the live USB. On Windows Vista, you will need to disable the UAC (User Account Control).
Tone says
Also , I wouldnt be as interested in this unless the Live USB version saves all changes and activity, like persistence in linux. SOmeone needs to build a Live Win XP USB maker that includes a 4 GB virtual disk file to act as the C: . though a Live read only system is also a bit interesting, persistence would be much better. thats what my tips i wrote are for… the tips also apply to those who have an SSD drive & windows. Now-A-Days memory is so much, you can do all the tips I said and still have plenty of RAM. theres NO NEED WHATSOEVER for pagefiling, despite debates about it on illogical web pages pretending that there are pro’s and con’s
Tone says
And then also, does this program write the .iso and boot sector to the USB to make it bootable? it should be included in this program, not searching for another.
sigh says
The modern version of WinBuilder is just plain text?! How do I create a USB from this .ISO it created?
2a55 says
this one was the most misleading and misguiding tutorial cannot get wher to go to do what. do this and dat and ur done.
Joanne says
How to unsecure my computer in order the download go ahead because everytime the security destricted the upload.
Liton Shaikh says
how i can creat usb windows live xp.
Russell says
Thanks for the info. So many things I can’t do on Ubunutu netbook. Hopefully this will solve that!!
jape says
email me if u hav an answer to this:
i hav a windows vinnea (windows 7) cd. does anyone hav any clue how to make it a live cd/usb without having to install it (my computer cant handle it, my mac can, but i dotn wana boot camp my mac…)
Lorenzo says
WinBuilder last version does not work will WinXP 64 or Vista x64.