Howto: Install Windows 7 using HDD under Linux

October 26, 2013

This tutorial describes how to install Windows using only the internal hard drive on a computer where only Linux is currently installed but a Linux/Windows dual boot is desired. This is much faster than using a DVD.

Step 1: Format an empty partition as NTFS and set the 'boot' flag.

sudo gparted

Step 2: Obtain an ISO image of Windows (if you have a DVD you can make an .ISO image) Mount The ISO image and the NTFS partition.

sudo mount -o loop ~/Windows7.iso /mnt/iso
sudo mount /dev/sda4 /mnt/hdd

Step 4: Copy files from mounted ISO to mounted NTFS partition:

cp -r /mnt/iso/* /mnt/hdd/

Step 5: Reboot and you should boot into the windows installer. Install Windows onto the same partition where you copied the installer files. DO NOT reformat. After Windows is installed boot a live cd or usb and change the boot flag back to the /boot partition. Your bootloader should still be intact and no further steps are required.

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