Maximus VIII Extreme - Unable to use Bootable Windows 7 USB

[Lakron]

I have been trying to install Windows 7 via bootable USB because I do not have a dvd drive installed in my system or even lying around anywhere.

I need to install Windows 7 before I can upgrade to Windows 10 as it needs to activate on windows 7 first

Before this I was able to install Windows 10 via USB with no issues.

Now, I go in to the bios and boot from the USB, it goes through loading drivers and I click on begin installation and I get the error:



Load Driver

A required CD/DVD drive device driver is missing. If you have a driver floppy disk, CD, DVD, or USB flash drive, please insert it now.

Not: If the Windows installation media is in the CD/DVD drive, you can safely remove it for this step.




The standard solution for this is people suggesting that you just move the key from the usb 3.0 port to usb 2.0 port, which I have done but it still shows the same thing. I verified that the USB is working I tried running it on my laptop and it started the installation just fine.



Thank you guys.

[cartoonistas]

From now on i think you can activate windows 10 by typing your windows 7 key. Have you tried that yet?

[Lakron]

Since when has this changed? Is this recent?

However the recent I am using an MSDN Key that I have, its the reason I didn't just have microsoft issue me a new license. If they issued me a new license then they would have forfeited my MSDN key for a regular retail key, which would be silly.

[ondersma80]

To install Windows 7 you need install media that supports USB 3. Windows 7 does not natively support it. Doesn't matter if you use a 2.0 port; it all runs through the xhci controller on Z170. This guide will help: http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1151/Z170-K/DE164_100_Series_Windows_7_Setup_Guide_print.pdf

You can also use a Win 7/8 key to activate Win 10 now. You need the latest TH2 1511 ISO and skip entering key during install. I have done it myself and it works. Whether it works for all keys, I dunno. Works for normal ones.

[cartoonistas]

http://betanews.com/2015/10/13/now-you-can-activate-windows-10-with-your-windows-7-or-windows-8-1-pr...

I don't know about msdn keys though

[Chino]

An alternative would be to download the USB 3.0 drivers and slipstream them into your Windows installation.

[Lakron]

Chino wrote:
An alternative would be to download the USB 3.0 drivers and slipstream them into your Windows installation.

I have never done this, is it easy ? How would I go about it?