Windows 7 ISO for VirtualBox Setup Guide

Get the easiest way to obtain a Windows 7 ISO for VirtualBox. Simplify your virtual machine setup process.

By Irene / Published on December 17, 2024

By Irene / Updated on May 23, 2024

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How to download Windows 7 ISO for VirtualBox?

To install VirtualBox on your PC, follow these steps:

  1. Open this link and select the Windows Hosts option from the list.
  2. The VirtualBox file will start downloading to your PC.
  3. Open the VirtualBox file and install it. Click Next.

Note: If you encounter issues while installing VirtualBox, deselect the USB features in the installation wizard.

Here's how you can create a new virtual machine (VirtualBox):

Note: Tick the box called Skip Unattended Installations.

Note: You can choose any other value according to your preferences as long as it meets the system requirements for Windows 7.

  1. In the Machine section, click the New button.
  2. Enter a name for the new Virtual Machine and select the location of the Windows 7 .iso file. Click Next.
  3. Allocate at least 2 GB of RAM and click Next.
  4. Click on the option to Create a Virtual Hard Disk Now (you should use a minimum of 32 GB for proper functioning). Then click Next.
  5. In the following Summary window, click Finish.
  6. Select the Windows 7 .iso file by clicking on the three dots next to the Tools option. A dropdown menu will open, and click on Media.
  7. Go to the Optical Disks tab, click on Add and select the Windows 7 .iso file.
  8. Start the virtual machine by clicking Start.
  9. The Windows 7 installation will begin.

Note: For more information on how to set up Windows, refer to the next section: How to install Windows 7?

How to install Windows 7 to a USB

To create a portable Windows OS, copy Windows 7 to a USB flash drive. Microsoft included “Windows To Go” to Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise and Windows 10 Education/Enterprise/Pro for this. Users can boot and operate Windows from USB devices by burn Windows ISO files to USB. However, Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 Home/Pro/Education and Windows 10 Home do not support it. You can use AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional instead. It made “Windows To Go Creator” more powerful and flexible. The following advantages make it better than Microsoft "Windows To Go":

❤ It is more compatible and allows you to copy all versions of Windows 10, 8.1/8 or 7 onto a removable USB flash drive to boot it from any computer as you need.

 It only requires a 13GB USB and a non-certified USB drive is also OK, while the "Windows To Go” needs a USB drive of 32GB at least and the USB must be certified by Microsoft at the same time, otherwise you cannot convert ISO to USB successfully.

❤ It permits you to create Windows to go USB with either Windows disc/ISO or current system.

 It allows you to make a bootable USB for mac and run Windows from USB on Mac.

Now, you can download the demo version and learn how to clone Windows 7 to USB drive step by step.

AOMEI Partition Assistant

The Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer

1. Install and run AOMEI Partition Assistant Pro on your Windows 7 computer. Connect the USB drive to the computer and make sure it is detected successfully.

2. Click “Tools” in the top toolbar, and choose “Windows To Go Creator”.

3. Choose "Create Windows ToGo for personal computer" and click "Next".

4. Select the first method "Create Windows To Go with system disc/ISO" and choose the prepared ISO file. Click "Next".

 

PS.: If the Windows 7 ISO files are not available or you don’t want to download or extract the ISO file, you can choose "Create Windows To Go with current system".

5. Then choose the USB drive and click "Proceed" to start cloning Windows 7 to USB drive.

After cloning Windows OS to USB via the above methods, you can plug the USB drive into any computer at any place, enter BIOS, and change the boot order to USB first and save. Then you can successfully boot computer into your familiar Windows 11/10/8/7 environment.

Summary

Downloading Windows 7 ISO and installing it on VirtualBox is straightforward with the right tools. VirtualBox provides a virtual environment to run Windows 7, while AOMEI Partition Assistant helps create a portable Windows 7 installation on a USB drive. By following these steps, you can enjoy the benefits of Windows 7 in a virtual machine or on any computer through a USB drive.

FAQs

  1. Where can I download a Windows 7 ISO file?

    • You can download Windows 7 ISO files from the official Microsoft website or other trusted sources. Ensure you have a valid product key.
  2. Is VirtualBox free to use?

    • Yes, VirtualBox is a free and open-source virtualization software.
  3. Can I run Windows 7 on any version of VirtualBox?

    • Yes, you can run Windows 7 on any recent version of VirtualBox that supports your host operating system.
  4. What are the system requirements for running Windows 7 on VirtualBox?

    • Allocate at least 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of virtual hard disk space for optimal performance.
  5. Can I run Windows 7 from a USB drive on any computer?

    • Yes, by creating a Windows To Go USB drive with AOMEI Partition Assistant, you can run Windows 7 on any compatible computer.
Irene · Staff Editor
Irene is an Editor of AOMEI Technology. She devotes herself in giving insightful thoughts on common computer problems with simple and clear guidance. Irene loves to help people solve problems and explore more solutions on relevant issues. She loves reading, singing and travelling.