First Time User - Installing Windows 7 HP - ISO vs Bootable USB

Is there any advantage of creating a bootable USB vs. just copying the Windows 7 iso image to a USB and using the install as "Image File" option in Parallels Wizard? It seems copying to USB and installing saves the steps required to create a bootable USB.

Thanks!

 

I thought this was a straightforward question (maybe too basic?). Anyway, for those other new users, I did the install using a USB with the iso image (not a bootable USB) and using the Parallels "Install as Image File" option, it worked fine. The installer found the iso image on the USB and it installed without any problems. I am not sure what advantage there is to going through the extra steps needed to create the bootable USB. Also, when I was installing Parallels and Windows, the Microsoft Windows USB/DVD tool was unavailable due to MS updating their website - further complicating the bootable USB option. Hope that helps someone.

 

Hi,

Basically there is no difference in the result - you have a virtual machine in the end. The most usual way of installing a virtual machine -> using ISO image or DVD. If you have a bootable USB originally - so in this scenario you don't have to have an ISO or DVD - just install from USB directly. If there are questions further, please post.