Virus Scan for FlashBoot

Pedro Laurent I have a question I bought this software at full price thru the vendor website when version 2 was release, will the upgrade policy be the same for me too? Like free lifetime upgrade? Cause I don't remember they had that policy when I first bought the software. Thanks

Jan 10 2012 at 9:40am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik Yes, upgrades are free for lifetime since the version 1.0 in 2005.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 10 2012 at 9:43am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik .. and all purchases of FlashBoot under this promotion are eligible for lifetime upgrades too.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 10 2012 at 9:45am Copy Link

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Techtoysavvy Can I install multiple iso's on one drive and then choose which iso image to boot? I really want a universal boot for utilities and installations. UBCD + Windows install + Paragon/Acronis.

As far as just using this to install windows ..... I don't get it.
I just use the Microsoft tool. Why would I use this unless I can use it to install multiple different OSes.

Jan 10 2012 at 11:41pm Copy Link

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Noggin The Nog I note that this software is associated with installing a 'mini OS' on a usb device so that it may be bootable. Why only a mini os? What about windows or other os?

Jan 11 2012 at 3:53am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Prasad Paranjpe : There's much more options than just conversion of Windows setup ISO files, see user manual: http://www.prime-expert.c..._guide.php

@Noggin The Nog : Windows is supported in reduced form (BartPE), Linux Live CDs can be converted too, usually with some manual intervention. The whole point of the software is to format USB thumbdrive, set up system files in a special way that they can be picked up by bootloader (continuos allocation on disk, 8.3 names etc), set up special BIOS compatibility layer for A-to-C drive letter conversions and the like -- the rest (bootloader config files, operating systems and software) is up to user.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 11 2012 at 8:43am Copy Link

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Techtoysavvy I play around with stuff that lets me boot BartPE and similar from a USB drive. For me that is the easy part. I can format load and boot most things you listed already. I have been mucking with xboot and sardu and they are not quite there yet. They are a good effort for free software and a serious hobby. I was looking for something that will let me boot ALL of the items you have listed from a single large USB by selecting them off a menu. I get the impression that I can only boot 1 OS for each flash drive that I format.

Otherwise, honestly, too much for too little. I think you are hitting a mostly solved problem except for the BIOS part. The kind of person that wants to boot most of these things can set a BIOS and load a USB with a bootable image of say UBCD. There are few people that can't that also want to boot anything except windows. Your a targetting and somewhat techsavvy crowd.

Jan 12 2012 at 10:46pm Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik Also FlashBoot has simple and very straightforward from-USB installer for Windows XP.

Instead of long and tangled stuff like this: http://reboot.pro/4900/ or this: http://www.harigeek.com/2...-disk.html

with FlashBoot you just convert Windows XP Installation ISO to USB and voila!
http://www.prime-expert.c...t_gallery/

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 13 2012 at 1:02am Copy Link

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aladdin T 1. I am confused why not WinPE (Windows 7) instead of BartPE (Windows Vista)?

2. Microsoft allows one to put Windows 7 x32 and Windows 7 x64 on a bootable USB, isn't this correct?

Jan 13 2012 at 1:15am Copy Link

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Bxxxx Oxxxx Can FlashBoot boot from USB also if the PC has NO harddrive
or running OS ?

Jan 13 2012 at 1:17am Copy Link

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aladdin T Microsoft allows one to put Windows 7 x32 and Windows 7 x64 on a bootable USB drive, so that one can install Windows 7 from bootable USB drive.

Jan 13 2012 at 1:19am Copy Link

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Gonzo Although we should wait to hear from the developer, I guess the following are likely answers to your questions:

@aladdin T
1-Because WinPE requires paying Microsoft a fee, while BartPE is "free" (you still need you Windows CD or access to some Windows installation files).
2-Yes; since Microsoft started selling WIndows 7 as a digital download. It is called the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool and can be downloaded for free from:
http://www.microsoftstore...vd_dwnTool

@Bxxxx Oxxxx
As long as your BIOS supports booting from USB, you should be good to go.

Jan 13 2012 at 2:16am Copy Link

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M Lohnen Hi,

Can I also create bootable SD-cards with FlashBoot?

Jan 13 2012 at 3:58am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @M Lohnen:
Yes, bootable SD cards are fully supported.

@Gonzo:
Thanks for your help, everything you said is exactly right.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 13 2012 at 5:01am Copy Link

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aladdin T @Gonzo and M Lohnen,

I am not sure Microsoft charging a fee for WinPE. Are you sure?

I have downloaded WAIK for FREE and so did others I know. And, I have build many a WinPE for both FREE and PAID programs. Some examples of FREE ones are Macruim Reflect and EaseUS Todo, for which I have built WinPE. And, an example for PAID programs is Image For Windows (IFW) for which I have built WinPE.

I don't see why I cannnot build WinPE with Flashboot?

Jan 13 2012 at 5:50am Copy Link

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aladdin T Here is the guide "How To Build WinPE for IWF"

http://www.terabyteunlimi...torial.htm

To do the above two things are required:

1. First download the FREE WAIK from Microsoft site.

2. Install the WAIK.

3. Download the plugins from TeraByte site from the above link.

4. Build the WInPE ISO for IFW.

To built the WinPE the plugins are provided by TeraByte. Same applies to Macruim Reflect and EaseUS Todo.

Jan 13 2012 at 6:30am Copy Link

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Techtoysavvy @aladdin T.
You can download WAIK for free. Yes! You may only use WAIK and WinPE within the terms of your license agreement with Microsoft. This is different for different people. It is not a matter of downloading and doing anything technical. You need to read the agreement you that you clicked "yes" to accept :)

Jan 13 2012 at 9:51am Copy Link

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aladdin T @ Mikhail Kupchik

I am not sure Microsoft charging a fee for WinPE. Are you sure?

I have downloaded WAIK for FREE and so did others I know. And, I have build many a WinPE for both FREE and PAID programs. Some examples of FREE ones are Macruim Reflect and EaseUS Todo, for which I have built WinPE. And, an example for PAID programs is Image For Windows (IFW) for which I have built WinPE.

I don't see why I cannnot build WinPE with Flashboot?

Here is the guide "How To Build WinPE for IWF"

http://www.terabyteunlimi...torial.htm

To do the above two things are required:

1. First download the FREE WAIK from Microsoft site.

2. Install the WAIK.

3. Download the plugins from TeraByte site from the above link.

4. Build the WInPE ISO for IFW.

To built the WinPE the plugins are provided by TeraByte. Same applies to Macruim Reflect and EaseUS Todo.

Jan 13 2012 at 11:41am Copy Link

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aladdin T Double post!

Jan 13 2012 at 11:45am Copy Link

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Steven Avery Hi Folks,

So one of the advantages of this is that when you make those techie Linux-style boot disks, you now do it on USB. So for my PC with a flaky CD-drive, no problem. Just as significantly, now my boot CD with the utilities is on a USB in my key-chain, handy. Also creating CDs tends to give you burning pains.

This is definitely worthwhile, as I understand.

One key question is .. does it require a paid program ? Do some of these utilities have their own USB-go mechanism ? If not, why not ? And if not, then I will likely purchase Flashboot at Bits. (Or if they do, does Flashboot do it better ?)

Another key question ? Have I missed some other major uses beyond recovery ?

Ok, I see the idea of at least helping with a Windows install. Are we talking about those cases where you do not have a recovery partition or actual OEM CDs and you create or find a more generic OS to install, letting your serial #s do the talking to MS. ?

Back to recovery CDs .. I have seen the importance of these recovery disks when Windows cries and dies, then you can even simply use Free Commander or whatever and back everything up to an external, as long as it is the common OS mess-up (by malware or OS corruption), and not a disk crash . Whew.

The suggestion to try to allow more than one boot OS on a single USB seems sensible. Is that a Flashboot plan ? Or are we asking for egg in the carrot juice ?

Steven

Jan 13 2012 at 5:06pm Copy Link

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Michael R. In the Main Menu there are a lot of options converting/copying to USB. Are there any options (planned) copying back from USB, e.g. into an ISO-file?

Jan 13 2012 at 10:13pm Copy Link

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Steven Avery Hi Folks,

Even though the special is ended, a response to the questions would be helpful.from Mikhail.

Meanwhile, for those looking to go the freebie route, there is a 2008 thread at DonationCode that is on the topic:

How to convert a bootable CD into a bootable Flash USB
http://www.donationcoder....ic=13766.0

However, Flashboot may have some nice advantages that justify the small expense (when on special). I invite Mikhail to do some sharing with us here, or Donationcoder. Ease of use and extra functionality can easily justify some $$, join in and let us more.

Steven

Jan 14 2012 at 6:51am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @aladdin T
I hadn't tested WinPE equivalent for Vista/7 with FlashBoot. WinPE equivalent for Windows XP worked fine last time I tried. New WinPE may work too. It's definitely worth testing, and if it doesn't work yet, adding this feature to future FlashBoot releases

@Steven Avery
Some Linux Live CDs have USB conversion tools, some other don't (especially older ones), sometimes these tools don't work with Vista/Win7 (low-level disk API changed a bit in Vista, requiring additional locks etc).

Multiboot / Boot Menu is a feature a lot of people are repeatedly asking for, but it is hard to accompish from technical point of view. There are some other important features planned to be released in first quarter of 2012, and later we'll see.

@Michael R.
No, there aren't and I don't have such plans for FlashBoot at the moment. You are the first one who asks for such feature since the very first FlashBoot version released in 2005.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 14 2012 at 11:56am Copy Link

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aladdin T Dear Mikhail Kupchik,

Thank you for your response, Even though the discount is over, you can offer it back sometime later, but in the meantime it is good to understand your product with Q&A.

I was very pleased when I saw this offering, but I don't see what use it will be to me for the following reasons.

1. The latest Windows 7 is available on USB. I have both the x32 and x64 on two separate 4GB USBs.

2. xBoot offers the Multiboot / Boot Menu mentioned by Steven Avery.

3. I have built lots of imaging programs, partition programs and others with WinPE. The plugins for these were supplied by the developers for these programs. xBoot allowed me to have all these on one 8GB USB.

4. xBoot is a free program, with some quirks. I was hoping with FlashBoot, these quirks can be taken out.

5. In conclusion, I would like to have Windows 7 x32, Windows 7 x64, Windows 8 x32, Windows 8 x64 and all my other WinPE programs which I have built on a 16GB USB that I own.

Best regards.

Jan 14 2012 at 12:41pm Copy Link

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J L Does your program have any feature that makes it better than other free alternatives?

Jan 14 2012 at 3:46pm Copy Link

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J L Does this program have any special feature that makes it better in any way to other free alternatives? (WinToFlash, UNetbootin, Universal USB Installer, YUMI – Multiboot USB Creator,...)

Jan 14 2012 at 3:47pm Copy Link

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Frank Sielna Dear Mikhail,
this is no critizism, just a serious question: What was the advantage of your tool over EasyBCD (http://neosmart.net/EasyBCD/)?
Why would I spend money when EasyBCD is free for personal use? What do I gain by using your software over EasyBCD?
Also in your whole user manual (http://flashboot-v2.prime...e-2.1s.pdf) I fond not a single word about Multi-Boot (haveing 10 or more different ISOs on the same stick).

Thanks, Frank

P.S. No, I'm in no way affiliated with neosmart. I didn't even buy their product (yet).

May 28 2012 at 1:58am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik EasyBCD is a BCD editor. BCD is a special hive of Windows registry used by Windows Boot Manager (C:\BOOTMGR) to display list of bootable operating systems, provide choice to the user, and boot selected operating system.

BCD registry hive can be edited by builtin Windows command line tool, BCDEDIT.EXE (To try it: press Win+R, enter "cmd", then enter "bcdedit /?").
[Or alternatively, our another product, EBCD ( http://www.prime-expert.com/ebcd/ ) can edit BCD registry hive even if Windows is not bootable.]

However, direct editing of raw BCD registry not user-friendly: GUIDs, command line interface etc, so NeoSmart Technology has developed convenient graphical user interface for editing BCD registry hive. For example, you can add Linux/FreeBSD to your Vista/Win7 boot menu, set default boot choice and timeout for it, etc. So, EasyBCD is a configuration management utility for Vista/Win7 boot manager. Its data is stored on your internal bootable HDD, as a part of Windows Registry.

Recent versions of EasyBCD have a side feature of installing Windows Boot Loader to USB thumbdrive and configuring its BCD database on removable USB device. Aside from licensing issues (is it OK to move piece of Microsoft OS from disk C: to removable USB disk and use everywhere?) such bootloader operates as ordinary Vista/Win7 boot loader on your disk C:. It can boot any OS on your internal HDD, so you have a bootloader backup. As far as I understand, EasyBCD-installed BOOTMGR on USB can't boot portable (LiveUSB) version of Vista/Win7 on any PC because of driver issues (chipset/processor are detected at the time of Windows installation and drivers for them can't be changed later).

FlashBoot is a collection of conversion scenarios (bootable CD to bootable USB), and it can handle very complex specific cases like conversion of Windows XP installation CD. AFAIK, this feature is unmatched by any of the free tools available today.

Also FlashBoot boot loader on USB thumbdrive has special layer of compatibility code for problematic BIOSes which provides additional feature of A:/C: drive letter mapping at the time of USB thumbdrive formatting. This feature is unmatched by any of the free tools too.

PrimeExpert Software - May 28 2012 at 4:20am Copy Link

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Frank Sielna This comment has been deleted due to a violation of the rules

May 28 2012 at 6:40am Copy Link

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aladdin T Windows XP is almost dead. Windows 7 is available on USB by Microsoft free,

Also, there is XBoot, Sardu, YUMI, Universal USB Installer.

How your program is better than all the above?

I want to buy it, but I need more information, as your program has seem to be updated for a very long time.

Please don't anything more about Windows XP.

May 28 2012 at 9:17am Copy Link

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Frank Sielna Dear Mikhail,

many thanks for that lentghy answer!
You've got my answer that has been deleted (though I do /not/ see how it violated the /rules/ [as provided by the link]) by mail.

Do you want to tell me about it?
I would not mind to spend 21$ but there has to be a real use.

Thank you again!
Frank

P.S.
Regarding EasyBCD: Luckily BootCamp on MacOSX made me a USB stick of Wondershare Liveboot (Win7-based BartPE-Clone) which boots using BCD from the stick.
I edited that BCD with EasyBCD and now am able to boot that Wondershare LiveBoot and 6 different LiveCDs (ISOs: ERD Commander, Acronis TrueImage, Paragon HD-Mgr, TrueCrypt BootCD and 2 linux-based AntiVir) right from that stick.
That's the reason I ask: Which additional use do I have from your software? I mean today it's only 21$ but why would I spend these?

May 28 2012 at 9:24am Copy Link

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Richard Paris Would like to request Emergency Boot CD for a future BDJ promotion

May 28 2012 at 2:50pm Copy Link

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Nico Westerdale Frank, even "*"s in a four letter word are not cool on Bits, just keep it clean and you're welcome to post.

BitsDuJour Admin - May 28 2012 at 5:24pm Copy Link

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Frank Sielna K, Nico, I'm sorry about it.
I hope you saw the point though and you don't think the idea was wrong (BTW: M$ is violating European Laws by their EULAs! Still they insist...).
Yours, Frank

May 28 2012 at 9:15pm Copy Link

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Nelson Therrien Ok, if I understand well, I would be able to install, let's say my Windows 7 Pro 64bits on a USB key and boot from it?

Here's my situation: I had a conference to give couple of weeks ago. When I booted my computer, problems! HD with bad sectors... A scandisk corrected it and I was able to boot, but there was a lot of files not working, like Firefox... Also, my wi-fi wasn't working and so on...

I have corrected it since then, but I'm affraid it might happen again, so I would like to have Windows on a USB stick just as an emergency OS if my laptop's hard drive have another problem... And with a conference or class coming, it's not time to try to fix it or reinstall Windows...

So, if it does work, like it seems to say, is there a special way to do it? What I mean is, I suppose, if I boot my laptop with the Windows 7 cd and then install Windows 7 on a USB stick, will it add it to my laptop's MBR and always try to boot from it (and maybe even crash when the USB key isn't plugged in) or, hopefylly, will it work fine (I already have a dual boot since I have one partition with the French version of Windows and another one with the English version) and I will simply have to boot from USB from my BIOS when required?

Mar 25 2013 at 5:16pm Copy Link

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Nelson Therrien P.S. I just tried with the demo version and my Windows DVD... It only allows me to copy the files (regular or NTFS) to install Windows 7...

So, the bootable OS probably only works with Windows 8 (and XP with a lot of manipulations)...

Mar 25 2013 at 5:30pm Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Nelson Therrien: Only Windows 8 can be installed to USB as a fully-functional OS and carried everywhere, including apps, documents, browsers etc.

Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP can be just converted: CD - USB, in a sense of more convenient installation media, installation still happens to internal HDD. Windows 8 also can be converted this way with FlashBoot.

PrimeExpert Software - Mar 26 2013 at 12:53am Copy Link

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dan chu hi, can I use this with external harddrive ,with preloaded OS win xp? I have image copy of HD for my laptop. I wonder if I can use to boot for external HD. thanks

Mar 26 2013 at 5:54am Copy Link

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John H Very well done documentation on your web site.

What is the purpose of the "Non-Boot" function in the main menu?

In what circumstance would I want to use that function.

Am looking to set up Linux on the Flash Drive to run off XP, Vista and Win 7 machines.

Thanks

Mar 26 2013 at 8:19am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @dan chu: Only Windows 8 can be loaded from USB HDD or USB thumbdrive as a fully-functional OS.

@John H: Non-boot function is used to remove FlashBoot loader from USB thumbdrive. To provide maximum BIOS compatibility ( see table http://www.prime-expert.c...shboot.php ), FlashBoot installs its loader to the first track of USB thumbdrive, and this loader survives formatting from Windows.

So, I've added a special function to remove all traces of FlashBoot from USB thumbdrive completely. And this feature, obviously, is fully-functional in demo version, even if number of tries per thumbdrive is exhausted.

PrimeExpert Software - Mar 27 2013 at 12:08pm Copy Link

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Mike B I'm curious if the multi-boot feature is on the roadmap?

Mar 27 2013 at 10:13pm Copy Link

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Danny Flash Boot makes Emergency Boot CD unnecessary, or I see that wrong?

Mar 28 2013 at 2:24am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Danny Thys:

FlashBoot is a tool to format USB thumbdrives (install fully-functional Windows 8 to USB, convert Windows install CD to USB, duplicate USB thumbdrives etc).

Emergency Boot CD is a toolset to fix unbootable computers and recover data from them: File Manager, Windows Password Wizard, Registry Tools and Mount & Boot Center to fix various boot-related problems.

PrimeExpert Software - Mar 28 2013 at 2:39am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Mike B: We are considering this option as a possible future enhancement.

PrimeExpert Software - Mar 28 2013 at 2:41am Copy Link

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Guy Good The FlashBoot Download web page shows as a Malware URL when I attempt to download the software.

The Anti-Virus software is Avast Free Edition Version 8.0.1483.

Mar 28 2013 at 9:51am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Guy Good: Report this to Avast, they are known to have a high rate of false-positives.

https://www.virustotal.co.../analysis/

PrimeExpert Software - Mar 28 2013 at 9:58am Copy Link

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Brian W It would be useful to carry my installed programs on a USB but I am unclear how this would work. Please explain what source image is required to create a Win8 bootable USB. Presumably, Win8 is installed & activated on a computer along with the desired programs (everything on C drive). Then an ISO image is made of the C drive. Then FlashBoot is used to install transform the ISO image into a bootable USB drive. But what happens when the booting on a different machine? Won't windows see that as a different computer and give licensing problems? Different computers have different hardware, thus different drivers, so this Win8 USB might not always give good results on any computer?

Mar 28 2013 at 1:10pm Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Brian W: You need Windows 8 installation DVD or ISO file as a source to create Win8 bootable USB. Installed version of Win8 on disk C: isn't required. FlashBoot will act as installer of Windows 8 to USB.

When you are booting from USB for the first time, Windows 8 detects hardware, asks for serial number, asks about initial user name, update settings, timezone etc. It takes about 30 minutes. Second and all subsequent reboots on the same hardware happen much faster - about 3 minutes.

When you take USB thumbdrive to the different machine, it takes about 20 minutes to detect the hardware and install relevant drivers. Second and subsequent reboots are fast. If you take USB thumbdrive to the first machine afterwards, it still boots fast - in about 3 minutes. Actually, Windows creates independent hardware profile for each PC and remembers all installed drivers.

Maximum number of PCs depends on the type of your license. Five of them for System Builder License, unlimited for Volume License IIRC.

PrimeExpert Software - Mar 28 2013 at 1:41pm Copy Link

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naveed So, this will not work with a pre-installed copy of Windows 8? I have the DVD, but I want to be able to use all the programs installed on this machine without having to reinstall everything on another machine all over again.

Mar 28 2013 at 1:47pm Copy Link

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Brian W Thanks but it feels like it is not worth trying because I would not buy more than one win8 licence.

Mar 28 2013 at 2:04pm Copy Link

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Nelson Therrien WOW, unbelievable! I just installed Windows 8 Pro on my USB stick... The 3 min you talk about for booting (after first boot and setting everything) is probably with a USB 2.0 device...

I just restarted it with a superfast USB 3.0 drive and it took less than 30 sec.! Faster than my hard drive with Windows 7 (of course, it's a new installation and Windows 7 has some starter files, but even with a new installation of Windows 7, I don't think it would go that fast).

P.S. When choosing a USB 3.0 drive, make sure you check the tests and specs... Mine costed a little bit more (73$ at Amazon Canada for a 64Gb... not that much), but it's the fastest one.

SanDisk Extreme 64 GB USB 3 Flash Drive up to 190 MB/s, SDCZ80-064G-AFFP (I don't know if there are faster key now, but at the time of the reviews, it was the fastest... Three tests out of 4, it was even faster than my WD MyPassport 2TB USB 3.0 external drive!)...

Mar 29 2013 at 7:42am Copy Link

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HJ B I am trying to understand the capabilities/limitations of this product.

1. If I have one license for windows 8 and it was a downloaded upgrade from windows 7, what do I need to create the bootable USB?

2. Once I create a bootable usb, if my system on that computer crashes due to an OS malfunction, will I likely be able to reboot from the USB? If so will such a reboot permit or enhance my ability to diagnose and repair the malfunction. I realize that is a broad question, but I am looking for some general sense of direction on this,

3. Will the same bootable usb be able to boot, as system 8, a different computer that has windows 7 or xp (assuming the hardware is compatible), or must I have an additional windows 8 license for every additional computer on which I want to use the bootable usb?

4, From time to time, Microsoft makes modifications, via the internet, to installed windows 8. What, if any, procedure, is available to permit a bootable USB to take advantage of those modifications.

Mar 29 2013 at 8:48am Copy Link

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Nelson Therrien @HJ B:
First, there are two things (among others) that you can do:
1- Create a bootable installation USB key (for any Windows version): this is mostly for Ultrabooks and Netbooks that don't have a DVD-ROM drive;
2- Install Windows 8 directly on the USB key: it's a full OS, separated from the PC you used to install it... So it can run on any PC (well, there is probably a maximum: they state higher 5 pc, but it might be less)... BUT, it's a different OS, so you won't be able to run the programs on your computer from that installation...

To answer your questions, if I can:
1- I have a DVD, but I guess if you downloaded it, it's an ISO file: you can use that as well (without having to burn it) to install it on your USB key;
2- Like I said, it will, but with a different OS... In other words, it won't replace the installation on the PC... So, the "tools" might be useful, if you can install them on the USB key...
3- So far, I only installed it on my USB key (not an actual computer)... and I can boot my Windows 7 pc without a problem (NOTE: First, you must check that you can boot from a USB key... For example, we have a more than 10 years pc that can, but my wife's one (about 4-5 years) can't... it depends on the BIOS);
4- Don't know, but I guess it would work, like any installations of Windows 8...

Mar 29 2013 at 9:02am Copy Link

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Nelson Therrien After the flower, here's the pot:
Windows 8 runs great on my USB key, BUT most of the applications that I tried so far (in fact, the only applications that worked were Firefox and Google Chrome) won't install!

One (RoboForm) installed but wasn't able to synchronise with my RoboForm Everywhere account (problem with a supposed temporary file).

The others (like CS6)simply didn't want to install, because it wasn't a FIXED drive... I can't even do the Microsoft Updates...!

So, my main goal was to install Office (mainly for PowerPoint presentations) and Adobe CS6 (softwares that I teach) IN CASE my main HD crashes (I had some troubles with it few weeks ago) and it looks like I can't...

Pretty useless, then... Will have to search on FlashBoot or Microsoft if there's something special to do to be able to use it, just like an internal drive...

Mar 29 2013 at 9:08am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Nelson Therrien: Doesn't your USB thumbdrive vendor provide an utility to flip Removable Media Bit? That one would fix all your issues.

Also all of these issues can be fixed by installing Windows 8 to USB HDD.

There's another workaround. If you are running 32-bit Windows 8, there's a driver to make all USB thumbdrives appear as USB fixed disks: http://www.prime-expert.c...evices.php

Also you can create VHD image file from diskpart.exe (builtin windows utility), make a partition inside it (disk D:) and it will appear as fixed - should be good for installing Photoshop.

I will try to mitigate this problem in the next versions of FlashBoot - maybe, via installing Windows 8 into VHD image file if USB thumbdrive reports itself as removable, or by replacing USBSTOR.SYS with another driver during installation process.

PrimeExpert Software - Mar 29 2013 at 10:01am Copy Link

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Nelson Therrien Well,
1- Looks like Sandisk, though one of the big player with USB drives, is not providing a utility for flipping Removable drive (and, even though, would that work? My BIOS don't seem to load with an external HD...);
2- I tried installing it to a USB HDD, but my BIOS don't seem to allow me to boot from it (i.e. when I use a USB key, it is visible and I can select it; when using a USB HDD, it doesn't see it; I can use External Device or something like it, but it loads a couple of things in DOS and then go back to boot from my regular HDD).
3- I wasn't able to create a VHD from Windows... Maybe it's me, but it seems really complicated...

IF it's sure it will work, I can install the 32bits version of Windows 8 on the key (though the 64bits version is better), and then use the suggested utility... But I don't want to do all that if it's not sure it will work...

Mar 29 2013 at 3:03pm Copy Link

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Nelson Therrien Reinstalled the 32bits version with the utility... still no luck...

So, yes, put it in your things to do, because right now it's useless for me...

Mar 29 2013 at 4:03pm Copy Link

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VLM I assume that this: "FlashBoot now facilitates installation of fully-functional Windows 8 to a USB thumbdrive. Now you can literally boot Windows 8 from a USB and carry your OS, apps, documents, and browsers wherever you go!" ... requires at least a 64 GB USB drive or so, yes?

Also, will this work on an external SSD? And if that SSD is partitioned, will each partition work independently? Does this question even sound rational? :)

NOTE: In the above excerpt, "thumbdrive" should really be 2 words. :):)

Mar 29 2013 at 10:34pm Copy Link

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Jack Hardy HI, Paid for FlashBoot by PayPal, but have not received download or any Info. Below is only info after payment.

Share-it share*it!

Customer information Additional information Review and submit Finished!

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Thank you for your order. We are happy to welcome you as our customer.

Please see below for information on your order. We have received your order. Please note your reference number, which is used to identify your order: REF# .

Your order has been received and is being verified by our team. Your order will be processed asap, but in no case will it take more than 12 hours.

Please do not resubmit your order until we have contacted you. If you chose to pay using a credit card, this could lead to multiple charges.

Mar 30 2013 at 5:32am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Jack Hardy: Check spam inbox. If your license key isn't there, then please email to flashboot@prime-expert.com and provide your order ID.

PrimeExpert Software - Mar 30 2013 at 5:39am Copy Link

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Nelson Therrien Finally found a tutorial to create a vhd a lot easier than using the one suggested (in a dos box): http://www.top-password.c...ndows-8-7/

So, with my 64bits edition reinstalled, I did it and it worked.

Was able to set the vhd to install RoboForm. I installed Office 2010, but it didn't asked me where to install it... It finally installed on the c drive fine...

So, now installing CS6 in the vhd: it works (didn't create an error), but it tells me it's now more than 3000 hours (started at less than 400, but keeps getting higher and stays at 2%)... So, I'll see if I cancel it or wait... I just hope that, if it works, I won't be slower, 'cause Windows, Office and some others are working lightning fast!

Mar 30 2013 at 9:50am Copy Link

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Nelson Therrien The installation sticking at 2% is a Microsoft driver unable to install... I copied the .dll from my Windows folder from the laptop I was installing it... and it works!

I wasn't able to install from the DVD, for any reason, but I installed it from the Creative Cloud (you can create an account for free) and it worked (though it always mention that there's an error).

One thing I still can't do, though, is the updates: nor Windows, Office or even Adobe updates can install...

Besides that, works lightning fast!

Mar 30 2013 at 8:11pm Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Nelson Therrien: I have a fix for this problem, confirmed to work in my enviroment. I will release an update in 2 days: FlashBoot version 2.2c.

You can subscribe to RSS here to be notified when it comes out:
http://www.prime-expert.c...ngelog.php

PrimeExpert Software - Mar 31 2013 at 3:18am Copy Link

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Nelson Therrien Great! Will I have to reformat and start over, thought, or just update my installation"

Mar 31 2013 at 4:55am Copy Link

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BeehindBlueyes The deal in my e-mail said 50% off for $14.00 extended sale. But when I get on the site here. It says 30% off for $31.00
Whats up with this?

Mar 31 2013 at 11:33pm Copy Link

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BeehindBlueyes I got this offer in my e-mail but it was for 50% off and the price was $14. Now, I get here and It's 30% off and it costs $31.00.
Shouldn't I get it for the price offered in my e-mail?

Mar 31 2013 at 11:33pm Copy Link

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BeehindBlueyes And what happened to this deal? It was not available yet on Wed. 27th yet. I've been looking for it. This deal was:

FlashBoot (PC) 50% Discount Coupon Code
www.bitsdujour.com
Download FlashBoot (PC) System Tools - System Inventory Software with a 50% Discount Coupon Code from BitsBuJour. Make External USB Storage Devices Bootable.

Mar 31 2013 at 11:33pm Copy Link

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Roger Thomasson @ BeehindBlueyes

The 50% FlashBoot deal was available on the 28th and 29th, but is now expired.

BitsDuJour Admin - Mar 31 2013 at 11:36pm Copy Link

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BeehindBlueyes Thanks Roger

Apr 1 2013 at 9:04am Copy Link

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BeehindBlueyes I have a Western Digital 230GB external HD.

Can I use this on it?

Apr 1 2013 at 9:04am Copy Link

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Nelson Therrien You surely can, IF:
- your BIOS supports booting from (ex: my BIOS recognizes when I have a USB Flash drive and allows me to boot from it... But didn't recognize my HD... Need to investigate why...
- if you want to install Windows 8, like I did, you might want to wait until version 2.2c comes out (though, theoricly, it should work fine from a HD, if point one is met...)

My USB 2.0 key was slow... A HD should be faster... but my USB 3.0 one is amazingly fast... Wondering what is the part of it vs Windows 8, but it even seems faster than my internal HD (which is a hybrid drive, I.e. a SSD part (8go?) and a regular HD part)

Apr 1 2013 at 3:09pm Copy Link

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Danny Not for platform Windows 8 and 8.1 ?

Dec 13 2013 at 12:46am Copy Link

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Sergey Kuznetcov Is it possible to do with help Flashboot 1 bootable flash drive to install Windows7 x86, Windows 7 x64, Windows 8 x86, Windows 8 x64, and possible to the installation Windows 8.1?

Dec 13 2013 at 9:57am Copy Link

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DrTeeth What can this do that the free utilities cannot?

Dec 14 2013 at 1:30am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Danny: FlashBoot fully supports Windows 8 and Windows 8.1.
Make sure you are using latest version (2.2e) under Windows 8.1.

PrimeExpert Software - Dec 15 2013 at 11:56pm Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @DrTeeth: FlashBoot has much more options than just conversion of Windows setup ISO files, see our list of main features: http://prime-expert.com/flashboot/

FlashBoot can install fully-functional Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 to USB thumbdrive as if it was fixed HDD, and boot it everywhere: at home, at friend's home, at work, at public library or internet-cafe. You can carry your personal digital world in your pocket: your applications, your documents, your browser, your games; and run it everywhere.

Also FlashBoot has simple and very straightforward from-USB installer for Windows XP. Instead of long and tangled stuff like this: http://reboot.pro/4900/ or this: http://www.harigeek.com/2...-disk.html

FlashBoot is an old good shareware: hence no toolbars, no ads, no spamming through e-mail database and no other crap in the installer and software. Remember: even if you are using freeware, vendor has to pay for webhosting somehow. So if you don't pay for software, then you're the product.

PrimeExpert Software - Dec 16 2013 at 1:22am Copy Link

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Chris Dennis Is it possible to have multiple bootable utilities on the same flash drive? For example can I add a bootable ISO for my partition manager, the bootable ISO for an antivirus rescue CD etc to the same flash drive and then select which one to boot to?
Thanks.

Dec 16 2013 at 2:45am Copy Link

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Tim Parsons @Chris Dennis: I'd like that too, but there's a freeware that can do something similar: YUMI. It's not capable of everything, and it seems to work best with linux-based disk images, but it's pretty good.

http://www.pendrivelinux....b-creator/

Dec 16 2013 at 4:07am Copy Link

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Mary Wilson Is this the program that you use to make a bootable drive to repair your system after it has been corrupted and to repair your main system/laptop?

Dec 16 2013 at 5:11am Copy Link

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Peter Dr This program would require that your BIOS would have to be set to boot from a USB flash drive, would it not?

Dec 16 2013 at 7:00am Copy Link

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Bruce Brent Mikhail, I too have a question, but I see you're not keeping up with those who would like to purchase. They have questions, as I can see, those questions were posted 7 hours ago. I wrote to your customer support with two questions, yesterday, and have yet to get a response. It concerns me as to the validity of this program and its support.

Dec 16 2013 at 9:55am Copy Link

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Mark Johnson @Chris - I notice that the company's website at http://www.prime-expert.c...t/poll.php asks customers if they would like multiboot in the next version of the software; that implies it is not there now.

@Bruce - I believe the company is in Ukraine, so it is nighttime there now. It might be several hours before questions asked here are addressed again by them. Of course, that doesn't explain your question about emails though.

Dec 16 2013 at 10:27am Copy Link

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Tony Simpson Has anyone tried the trial download version. I installed it on a USB and when my PC tries to boot from the USB it comes up with the error of an invalid system disk. So it didn't work for me.

Dec 16 2013 at 11:20am Copy Link

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VLM If it works for Windoze 8 and XP, I assume it also works with Windows 7 x32/64, yes?

Dec 16 2013 at 11:31am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Sergey Kuznetcov, @Chris Dennis: FlashBoot has no Multiboot feature yet. This feature requires complex user interface (not usual Wizard with Next-Next-Next), and I'm afraid FlashBoot will lose a plenty of ordinary, unexperienced users if Multiboot is implemented in straightforward way. Maybe it requires separate UI, or Expert Mode, or something like that. We are considering Multiboot among other features for future releases, vote for it if you consider it important: http://prime-expert.com/f...t/poll.php

PrimeExpert Software - Dec 16 2013 at 1:20pm Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @VLM: Yes, it works with Windows 7, both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Vista is fully supported too.

PrimeExpert Software - Dec 16 2013 at 1:23pm Copy Link

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HJ B I have Windows 8.1 installed. it is said that this application permits Windows 8.1 to be booted from a flash drive. In order to do that, must I purchase and new copy of windows 8.1? If not, where can I find instructions to create a boot drive on the flash drive?

Dec 16 2013 at 2:20pm Copy Link

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Lito @Mikhail Kupchik

Sorry for writing about your other product EBCD, but I have been trying to get in touch with support for quite a while and no one every replies to my messages. So I am trying here to see if you'll reply back. I tried contacting you via my main email account and my gmail and I never get any replies.

The problem I am having with EBCD is the mount and boot section of the program doesn't work at all for me I get the following error message:
"Assertion Failed! Alert Mesage ID: 962/QL5FY"

If you can give me a way to contact you other than ebcd (at) prime-expert.com because that contact address is NOT working at all for me from either from my main email account or gmail.

Thanks. Sorry again to all about posting this here.

Dec 16 2013 at 4:59pm Copy Link

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User1 Lito, good luck. Not many answers to be had today.
Looks like today's deal will expire before they come.

Dec 16 2013 at 7:10pm Copy Link

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Nico Westerdale Great News! PrimeExpert Software has agreed to extend this deal for another day - Enjoy!

BitsDuJour Admin - Dec 17 2013 at 12:11am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Lito: I've found your request in the spam inbox. Sorry about inconvenience. Another way to contact me is Mikhail (dot) Kupchik (at) prime-expert (dot) com.

This is a fixable error. It occurs because there are too many objects in Mount & Boot Center and they don't fit the screen. I will release an update to EBCD after this promotion is over and let you know (note to readers: EBCD is not FlashBoot, it's another product).

PrimeExpert Software - Dec 17 2013 at 1:27am Copy Link

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John Hood Waiting for the answer to above question re

Making a Flashboot bootable flash/thumb drive for Windows7 x86 or Windows 7 x64? I have 2 machines - one 32bit and one 64 bit.

Don't like Windows 8 - I use Windows 7.

Dec 17 2013 at 6:04am Copy Link

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Lito @ Mikhail : Thanks. I am glad I finally got in contact with you :)

Dec 17 2013 at 6:42am Copy Link

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mix624 Hi,

Anyone who knows if additional licences for windows are needed for usage on bootable USB or external harddrive ?

I called Microsoft and they said they dont sell Win 7 other than it is possible to buy new ones in stores at full price.
Then they offered me to buy multiple licenses for Win 7 which is ordinarily only available for companies.

Dec 17 2013 at 8:44am Copy Link

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mix624 Another question.

If I in the future need to upgrade Windows on my USB is that easy as on my ordinary computer ?

Thanks

Dec 17 2013 at 8:45am Copy Link

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Sergey Kuznetcov After buying now will be whether to upgrade to future versions for free?

Dec 17 2013 at 10:18am Copy Link

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John H "So if you don't pay for software, then you're the product."

Well said Mikhail !

A well made interface is worth paying for.

There are some exceptions but not many.

Dec 17 2013 at 11:04am Copy Link

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Bruce Brent To Mikhail, I've left a detailed question on the support section of the website. My first question left two days ago never was responded to. I'm hoping this recent question will be read and replied to. Thanks

After going through the scenario of CD/DVD to USB (Windows OS) then what? How to get this new OS operating on the USB. Step by step to setup/install the OS which is not in any of your current "how to's"

Dec 17 2013 at 12:22pm Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Sergey Kuznetcov: Yes, upgrades are free for lifetime. Just apply your license key file to the latest demo version downloaded from http://www.prime-expert.com/flashboot/ . Our earliest users who bought FlashBoot 1.0 in 2005 still upgrade for free.

@John Hood: FlashBoot runs on any Windows from XP to 8.1 but it can install only Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 to USB thumbdrive (so it will run like normal Windows runs from HDD).

@Bruce Brent: After going through the scenario of CD/DVD to USB, you should boot your computer from USB device ( detailed instructions how to do it - http://prime-expert.com/f...p_bios.php ) and then just use it. Install software, set up browser, copy your documents etc - as if it was Windows booted from internal HDD. When done, reboot Windows and unplug USB thumbdrive. Your computer will boot another instance of Windows from internal HDD.

PrimeExpert Software - Dec 17 2013 at 1:23pm Copy Link

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Techtoysavvy I purchased the EBCD on a prior sale here.
I am looking for a good multi-boot solution.
Currently, I use YUMI on a 120G portable drive.
I am looking at Easy2Boot.
YUMI can only handle a single MS ISO at a time.
It can handle several other Linux ISOs as well as EBCD.

I can now boot via network for some restore tasks.
I have used network boot to perform a bare metal restore.
My ultimate goal is to reserve the multi-boot CD for when I have to fix machines at friends/family. At home I would like to migrate to boot/install from network.

BTW. Network boot is not rocket science but it is not for the faint of heart.

Dec 17 2013 at 1:27pm Copy Link

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mix624 Hi,

In the product info above it says:

"FlashBoot gives you the power to make USB storage devices bootable, with the ability to install a variety of Windows and Linux operating systems to thumb drives and external hard disks".

But in one of your answers above you wrote:

"FlashBoot runs on any Windows from XP to 8.1 but it can install only Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 to USB thumbdrive (so it will run like normal Windows runs from HDD)"

QUESTION:

1
So can I OR can I not install and run a variety of Windows AND Linux operating systems directly from thumb drives and external harddrives ?
Please be specific, I am planning on buying 1TB external harddrive, any brand...

2
I plan on using linux since it is free and multiple Windows licences seems complicated and expensive. I want to run this linux installation from an external harddrive: http://cylonlinux.weebly.com/index.html

I need answer ASAP since I am going to bed and need to decide now.
Thank you

Dec 18 2013 at 12:59am Copy Link

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mix624 From your site:
http://prime-expert.com/f...p_bios.php

Setting up BIOS to boot from USB device
1. General approach

1.1. Change the BIOS boot order so the USB device option is listed first. The BIOS is rarely setup this way by default.

If the USB port is not first in the boot order, your PC will start "normally" (i.e. boot from your hard drive) without even looking at any boot information that might be on your USB device.

*******************************************************************************************
I think this is ok to do on my own computers. But I doubt that I will change the BIOS at work or anyone elses computer. I first got the impression that flashboot was 100% plug and play.

It is still a very useful product for me it seems. Will see if I have got any answers from you within 9 hours, would make it easier to make a decision.

Dec 18 2013 at 1:00am Copy Link

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VLM Mikhail Kupchik - I do not understand this comment: "FlashBoot runs on any Windows from XP to 8.1 but it can install only Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 to USB thumbdrive (so it will run like normal Windows runs from HDD)." Does this mean that FlashBoot can install Windows 8+ itself, and that for earlier versions of Windows, you have to install from a disk (whether physical or iso)?

Dec 18 2013 at 1:01am Copy Link

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mix624 To many questions unanswered so will not buy.
I know it is 50% off and $13 is not much, but still I needed some answers.

I got up really early just to see if there were more comments and answers.
I was up late last night too so ?

This offer is only for 1 day so why arent someone from flashboot here answering more ? And BDJ, why do you stop approving comments all of a sudden ?

Even if questions are stupid, answering them leads to sales...I am quite disappointed...

Dec 18 2013 at 1:01am Copy Link

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George Irwin Just what I have waiting for, hope to see it soon on sale. Thanks.

Jun 17 2015 at 3:40am Copy Link

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Nitin Hi,
I have a few questions regarding this:
1) Can I create a bootable installed Windows 8 USB with this to work on my MacBook Pro?
2) Will this support Windows 10 since Microsoft is offering free upgrade from windows 8 to windows 10?

Jun 18 2015 at 4:10am Copy Link

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John H SOLD!
Thanks for another great BDJ deal.

Jun 18 2015 at 5:01am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Nitin:
1) Yes, it should work.
2) Yes, it have been tested on Windows 10 Insider Preview, so when Windows 10 is released as final version, FlashBoot should support this OS without any problems. Otherwise, we will quickly release an update.

PrimeExpert Software - Jun 18 2015 at 5:22am Copy Link

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Hans-Peter Guttmann I just scanned the User Guide and notice it does not mention UEFI / GPT Windows 8.1 installations: Will FlashBoot build USB Flash Drives compatible with those systems [i.e.ones that are not MBR]?

Thanks!

Jun 18 2015 at 5:57am Copy Link

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Walter Meckley I'd like to know your answer to Hans-Peter Guttmann's question also!

Jun 18 2015 at 6:10am Copy Link

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govertz Is Flashboot only for running Windows OS's, or can I have an Ubuntu install on a Thumbdrive?

Jun 18 2015 at 6:27am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Hans-Peter Guttmann, @Walter Meckley :

Vast majority of UEFI/GPT motherboards and notebooks have CSM mode, which is compatible with USB Flash Drives formatted by current version of FlashBoot. UEFI/GPT motherboards and notebooks without CSM mode are not supported by FlashBoot at this moment.

There's Next Feature Poll for FlashBoot on our website: http://prime-expert.com/f...t/poll.php . I've just added an option about compatibility with CSM-uncapable UEFT/GPT motherboards to that poll. If there will be enough votes for this option, then we will implement support for this rare hardware in the next version of the FlashBoot.

FlashBoot updates are free for lifetime, so everyone who buys FlashBoot today will get all new features for free.

PrimeExpert Software - Jun 18 2015 at 6:42am Copy Link

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Nitin Thanks Mikhail. I just made the purchase.

Jun 18 2015 at 7:16am Copy Link

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Techtoysavvy I bought UBCD here to support your effort. Lately I used other software also sold here on BDJ to fix boot issues. UEFI boot is more problematic than old fashioned boot. You used to be able to switch boot disks easily in the BIOS. With UEFI boot that is no longer possible. Switching boot disks requires writing to the NVRAM and is not just a simple switch. There is software that can do this for you.

Flashboot & UBCD are great to solve yesterday's problem. They won't help you with current boot technology. CSM is not a solution if you need to fix UEFI boot issues.

Jun 18 2015 at 8:46am Copy Link

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mix624 Hi,

Very interesting.
Do I have to buy a separate Windows for every usb device ?

And is it difficult to setup ?

Jun 18 2015 at 9:19am Copy Link

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Techtoysavvy @mix624
This is a licensed feature for Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise called Windows2go
You will have an account rep that can explain the licensing to you.
..... other use cases? ..... hmmm

Jun 18 2015 at 9:23am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @mix624, @Techtoysavvy:

Microsoft Windows is licensed per user, not per computer. According to the terms of Microsoft Windows EULA, you can transfer your licensed copy of Windows between multiple computers which belong to you. But at any moment of time there should be not more than one computer running your copy of Windows. Which is perfectly true if your Windows is running from the USB thumbdrive.

PrimeExpert Software - Jun 18 2015 at 9:45am Copy Link

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govertz Please answer before the offer is over.
Is this for installing Windows only on flashdrives, or can it install and boot Ubuntu on flashdrive too?

Jun 18 2015 at 10:13am Copy Link

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Amit I want to install windows 7 on usbexternalharddrive + a 32gb usb. Is it possible by anyway even if it requires 2 flashboot or any other software license or even if there is any other software for windows 7 ? Please tell.

Jun 18 2015 at 10:55am Copy Link

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Techtoysavvy @amit
I have done this last decade for Windows XP.
The software I bought was called "mojo" or something.
I don't think they sell it anymore. I used a portable hard drive.

In any case, this should not be hard.
Choose your USB carefully, performance is an issue.
A Small USB hard drive will work best.
Just install like a regular hard drive, MBR, no UEFI.
Switch BIOS on target machine and boot away.

If you know how to edit boot configurations ...
You can have multiple images in VHD files.
You can then use a boot manager to choose which VHD to load.

I do this with pre-boot environments but not a full blown O/S.
Be aware lots of software will complain.

Jun 18 2015 at 11:05am Copy Link

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Techtoysavvy This is not for the faint of heart.
1. Install bare-metal hypervisor from small USB drive
2. Boot O/S and system of your choice from container on portable hard drive.

You can run windows, Linux, android, chrome.
If you are real good .. you can even run MacOS.
.. In the 80's the portable hard drive was size of a sowing machine.
we carried one with us to boot a machine if needed.

Jun 18 2015 at 11:19am Copy Link

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Techtoysavvy @Mikhail.
Your answer is incomplete and simply wrong for most windows installations.
The actual answer depends on your specific license.
Most people buy a computer with Windows pre-installed.
This is an OEM license and is NOT transferable.

You are referring to buying a standalone copy of the Windows O/S.
This can be transferred across hardware.
Virtualization rights are even more complex.

Jun 18 2015 at 11:33am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Amit: There's a difference between Windows 7 and Windows XP (on one side) and Windows 8 / Windows 8.1 (on another side). Windows 7 and Windows XP binds to specific hardware of particular PC, so if you boot it elsewhere there may be a driver conflict and in general it will not work. Windows 8+ supports multiple hardware profiles: when it boots on the yet-unseen PC it rediscovers all hardware. In Windows 8+, all hardware-related information is stored in the separate part of the registry for each PC.

So, in general it's not possible to boot pre-Windows8 operating systems from USB thumbdrives (in full-featured mode, i.e. not just install from). There are workarounds however: either boot Linux with virtual machine (qemu-kvm) and run Windows 7/XP from there, or use a limited version of Windows called Preinstallation Environment. For example, BartPE. By the way, FlashBoot is able to convert BartPE Windows LiveCD to bootable USB thumbdrive since 2006.

@govertz: I've just tested the latest version of Ubuntu with Flashboot. FlashBoot needs a small compatibility update, so it will be released tomorrow.

PrimeExpert Software - Jun 18 2015 at 12:27pm Copy Link

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John Oliver Mikhail, is this much different from any of the FREE similar tools available on the internet?
Additionally it is a bit more complicated to setup a bootable Windows 8
or Windows 8.1 disc that is not simply a USB stick to install Windows. I guess the same is true for most / ALL versions of Windows.

Jun 18 2015 at 2:14pm Copy Link

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Rob User Tried to install FlashBoot but my AV blocked the installation. Says it contains the Trojan-Dropper malware.

Jun 18 2015 at 4:50pm Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Rob User:

Report this issue as a "false positive" to your AV support team. FlashBoot is clean: see 0/56 detection rate at virustotal.com:

https://www.virustotal.co...434699243/

PrimeExpert Software - Jun 19 2015 at 12:38am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @John Oliver:

FlashBoot advantages over free tools:

1) A lot of useful scenarios in the single tool:
Booting Windows from USB thumbdrive, installing Windows from USB thumbdrive, installing BartPE to USB thumbdrive, support for a large number of other conversions of bootable disks to bootable USB thumb drive.
http://prime-expert.com/f...humbdrive/

2) Convenient user interface:
FlashBoot is organized as simple and very straightforward wizard, which does now show or ask unnecessary information or options. User does not have to make choice from long list of all possible disk types. Disk type and conversion scenario is detected automatically, although experienced user can override it. If there's a conflict, FlashBoot displays detailed list of processes and windows which hold open files and folders on the USB device.

3) Easier for user: no need to reconfigure the BIOS:
Usually BIOSes have an option to boot from USB thumbdrive either as USB-ZIP or USB-HDD. If this option does not match format of the particular USB thumbdrive, then USB thumbdrive is not bootable. FlashBoot does not shift to user the burden of choice between USB-ZIP (superfloppy) and USB-HDD (partitioned) at format time. Every USB thumbdrive is formatted by FlashBoot in such way that it will work in both conditions: both USB-ZIP and USB-HDD regardless of current BIOS setting. This unique feature is called "Multiformat", and this is for sake of best user experience possible.

4) Uniquely wide compatibility with BIOSes of various vendors:
Sometimes CHS geometry of USB thumbdrive differs between formatting PC and booting PC. Hence USB thumbdrive does not boot. FlashBoot stage2 loader has unique compatibility layer which takes care of these issues at the time of USB thumbdrive formatting. This feature is unmatched by any of the free tools too.
See table here for details about this: http://prime-expert.com/f...shboot.php

5) Better protection of the user data:
- Confirmation if you are formatting USB-HDD instead of USB thumbdrive.
- Second confirmation if your are overwriting USB device with two or more partitions.
- There's a real world phenomenon called worn-out flash memory, consisting of flash memory cells which don't produce any errors during write operation, but silently flip some subset of data bits. FlashBoot verifies all data it writes to USB thumbdrives, including filesystem metadata, and retries up to three times all silently failed writes before complaining to the user.

6) FlashBoot supports command-line interface as alternative to GUI for power users who need automation or unattended operation.

7) FlashBoot is an old good shareware:
No toolbars, no ads, no spamming through e-mail database and no other crap in the installer and software. Remember: even if you are using freeware, vendor has to pay for webhosting somehow. So if you don't pay for software, then you're the product.

PrimeExpert Software - Jun 19 2015 at 1:38am Copy Link

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mix624 So, in other words this is really complicated to setup ?

I understand the benefit with this product but I am not sure I would know how to make it work. I have win 8 on a pad but I might be interested in something free like ubuntu. Not sure...

Can I boot the USB on a Linux desktop / MAC OS or only windows ?
I am having difficuties understanding this...

Jun 19 2015 at 1:42am Copy Link

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HJ B 1. If I have windows 8.1.3 on my computer, and I purchase flashboot, do I have everything I need to create a bootable USB drive? Or do I have also need to locate my original windows 8 install software or do I need to purchase another copy of windows.

2. If I upgrade to Windows 10, what must I then do to make a bootable USB drive?

3. If I have a bootable USB drive win 8.1 and another bootable USB drive 10 and another bootable USB drive xp, can I use them to switch from one OS to the other, at will, i,e, by rebooting from one or the other USB drive?

4. When I boot from a bootable USB drive, what password is applicable, i.e., the one with which I set up the computer or one that applies to the particular bootable drive?

5. Are there security implications to the fact that some stranger can reboot my computer with his USB drive, and thereby get access to data on my hard drive?

Jun 19 2015 at 7:40am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @govertz: FlashBoot has been updated, latest version (2.2h) was tested and confirmed to be compatible with Ubuntu 15.04. Other Linuxen based on IsoLinux bootloader should work as well.

PrimeExpert Software - Jun 19 2015 at 7:45am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @HJ B:

> 1. If I have windows 8.1.3 on my computer, and I purchase
> flashboot, do I have everything I need to create a bootable
> USB drive? Or do I have also need to locate my original
> windows 8 install software or do I need to purchase
> another copy of windows.

You need to have original Windows 8 / 8.1 installation disc or it's image file (ISO file).

You need to purchase additional Full Version/Retail license for Windows only if BOTH conditions are true:
(a) you currenly have cheaper System Builder/OEM license, which you got from the store when bought your PC with preinstalled Windows
AND
(b) you need to boot USB thumbdrive on multiple computers, not just that original PC from the store

> 2. If I upgrade to Windows 10, what must I then do
> to make a bootable USB drive?

You will be able to create Windows 8 / 8.1 thumbdrive with FlashBoot running under Windows 10. In this case, you need FlashBoot and Windows 8 / 8.1 installation disc or ISO file.

You will be able to create Windows 10 thumbdrive with FlashBoot running under Windows 10. In this case, you need FlashBoot and Windows 10 installation disc or ISO file.

You will be able to create Windows 10 thumbdrive with FlashBoot running under Windows 8 / 8.1. In this case, you need FlashBoot and Windows 10 installation disc or ISO file.

> 3. If I have a bootable USB drive win 8.1
> and another bootable USB drive 10
> and another bootable USB drive xp,
> can I use them to switch from one OS to the other,
> at will, i,e, by rebooting from one or the other USB drive?

Yes. It will boot the OS from USB thumbdrive, regardless of your current OS on HDD. You may even have no HDD at all on target computer, USB thumbdrive will still boot and work normally. Please note that Windows XP is supported in the limited functionality mode only (BartPE).

> 4. When I boot from a bootable USB drive,
> what password is applicable, i.e.,
> the one with which I set up the computer
> or one that applies to the particular bootable drive?

Security-related information which is required to verify your logon password is stored by Windows in System Account Manager registry hive (e.g. C:\Windows\system32\config\SAM, also SAM.LOG1 and SAM.LOG2). Because each thumbdrive has its own copy of this file, passwords for these operating systems are independent. Again, password which you set up the computer with, may be even inaccessible due to detached or missing internal HDD, anyway it's not used.

> 5. Are there security implications to the fact
> that some stranger can reboot my computer
> with his USB drive, and thereby get access
> to data on my hard drive?

Yes, full access to your local files and registry is possible, unless full-disk encryption software is installed. (Think of it as of removing primary HDD from your PC and installing it to the different PC as a secondary HDD. But without a screwdriver and SATA cable, virtually.)

You may do that as well with many Linux Live CDs/USBs, or with our another product called Emergency Boot CD: http://www.prime-expert.com/ebcd/ (unlike Linuxes, it has powerful registry editing capabilities).

PrimeExpert Software - Jun 19 2015 at 8:49am Copy Link

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Michael R. I would like to see flashboot get the multiboot-feature, #1-wish of the poll. Instead of having a bunch of usb-sticks with single programs, it would be great to be able to pack more than one boot-file onto one stick.

Perhaps there is a possibility to descibe how this could be done with already existing (open source or freeware) programs and put it on the FlashBoot-website?

Jun 19 2015 at 10:18am Copy Link

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Tim User Hi Mikhail
If I clone an image of my old Surface Pro 3 (win8) drive onto a flash drive, will my new Surface Pro 3 (win8) be able to boot from it. If not will your app make that clone thumbdrive bootable?

Jun 19 2015 at 3:17pm Copy Link

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Peter Dr Hi Mikhail:

This is a very interesting program. My only problem is that on my Win7 x64, I can not boot to a USB drive -- only to the CD/DVD drive. So as far as I can see, USB Flashboot will not be of any use to me. Or will it?

Peter

Jun 19 2015 at 5:57pm Copy Link

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Tortuga @Mikhail
I have been trying to dwld this prog from your site for the past hour without success.
Neither the install nor the portable version. It's strange, bc the site seems to be easily accessible, without having any apparent problems
Also tried @Softpedia, but the dwld link links to your site, so ...
Can you please see what the problem might be?

Peace

Jun 19 2015 at 7:36pm Copy Link

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Techtoysavvy Just purchased this product because I am impressed with Mikhail's answers on this thread. I bet that by v3 this program will support UEFI. This feature is even more important for EBCD to fix simple boot issue.

Jun 19 2015 at 10:01pm Copy Link

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Techtoysavvy @Mikhail EFI boot presents many challenges which should be an opportunity for you. My understanding is that Windows 10 will require secure boot to get the Windows 10 logo on the device.

I just replaced my boot drive on one of my computers. The SSD was flaky. Even changing SATA ports on the boot drive will stop the system from booting. You need to write the information into the NVRAM. I know you don't support this. I used another companies software to update the EFI to boot from the replacement SSD. But if you can make this easy then ... I wish you luck. It is a real challenge.

I appreciate software that makes life easier. I don't feel like learning EFI shell commands just to change boot disks ... not that hard but I would need to look it up each time I needed it.

Jun 19 2015 at 10:08pm Copy Link

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Phred E To Peter Dr, I've had this problem lately on a borrowed notebook/laptop.
I found that during boot by pressing Escape (unusual), a text screen to choose what to boot from came up.
These days there's generally a facility to let us choose a boot device - hard disc, CD/DVD, floppy(!), USB memory stick.
Give it a go.
If Esc fails, try F2, Del, F1, F10... Otherwise, download the manual from the maker's website and see if there's a boot-choice facility.
HTH.

Jun 20 2015 at 1:00am Copy Link

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Phred E Mikhail, I've never really understood Flashboot - from its Main Menu it has choices to convert from 'CD' to USB, Floppy to USB, USB to USB, Mini OS, and Non-boot. Huh?
What I'm expecting of Flashboot is the installation of a 'pseudo' Windows - at least a GUI - on a memory stick that boots into a somewhat familiar environment.
Am I missing something, or is there something missing?
Thx.

Jun 20 2015 at 1:01am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Tortuga and everyone:

We had unexpected hardware failure of our dedicated webserver, so FlashBoot downloads and orders are temporarily unavailable. Even worse, it happened at night hours local time.

We are working to resolve this problem right now, and expect to get back online in 2 hours. I will post on this thread when things are fixed.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

PrimeExpert Software - Jun 20 2015 at 1:04am Copy Link

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Tim User OK
In the meantime can I ask again
If I clone an image of my old Surface Pro 3 (win8) drive onto a flash drive, will my new Surface Pro 3 (win8) be able to boot from it. If not will your app make that clone thumbdrive bootable?
thANKS
Tim

Jun 20 2015 at 1:56am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik Our new server is online now, so downloads and orders are available again.

Right now I'm going to handle orders which were delayed due to server downtime (send keys manually and respond to support requests via e-mail), then I get back to this chat.

PrimeExpert Software - Jun 20 2015 at 2:35am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Peter Dr:

Regarding hardware compatibility: USB boot capability depends on your motherboard BIOS, not on currenly installed version of Windows. All motherboards produced from 2006 until today should be able to boot from USB thumbdrives. The fact you are running 64-bit OS suggests your system is at least this old or newer. So all you need to enter your BIOS setup and configure booting from USB thumbdrive as explained here: http://prime-expert.com/f...p_bios.php

PrimeExpert Software - Jun 20 2015 at 6:07am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Tim User:

Just copying old system partition image over USB thumbdrive won't be enough. Things are more complicated than that. Windows has a notion of disk signature (32-bit identifier stored in MBR), and it needs to be updated in the BCD registry hive and MountedDevices key of SYSTEM registry hive of your extracted image to be in sync with actual value in MBR of USB thumbdrive, otherwise it will not boot. Such update won't be easy to do manually, let alone restore NTFS filesystem without breaking the hardlinks and ACL metadata.

But the idea of copying of entire Windows installation with apps and settings from the previous location or virtual machine image sounds very interesting, I will try to add such option in some future version of FlashBoot. Which format does your backup partition have? Is it VHD or something else?

PrimeExpert Software - Jun 20 2015 at 6:33am Copy Link

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Sputnik @ Mikhail Kupchik

I have just bought your software and I have a question about the license key.

In the email that I have received it is written "In order to use FlashBoot 2.x in full-featured registered mode..." : does that means that this license is good only for v 2.x ?

In "THE FINE PRINT" it is written "Upgrades to future versions of the software will be free for the lifetime of the product.".

Because we have the right to all future versions of the software, does that finally means that we will have to ask for a new license key at each new major version (v 3.x, v 4.x, etc.) ?

In fact, will we have to ask for this supposed new license key or will you send to all of your customers an email with the new license key when a new major version will be issued ?

Jun 20 2015 at 2:47pm Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Sputnik:

License key for FlashBoot 2.x is good for and will work for all future versions, 3.x, 4.x and above, as written in the fine print.

By the way, license keys for FlashBoot 1.x issued in 2005-2008 had different format (didn't support non-Latin characters) and they still work with FlashBoot 2.x and don't require replacement.

Text from e-mail you quoted above means than unicode-enabled FlashBoot 2.x license key is not applicable back to unicode-uncapable ancient FlashBoot 1.x (last version of ancient FlashBoot 1.x was released in 2007, so it's not a problem anyway).

PrimeExpert Software - Jun 20 2015 at 11:38pm Copy Link

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Sputnik @ Mikhail Kupchik

Thank you for your answer.

I just want to add that when I first saw your software for sale here on BitsDuJour, I was not sure to be in need of a software which was mainly shown as an easy way to install a fully-functional Windows 8 to a USB thumbdrive : I run under Windows 7. But I understand that this feature may be interesting to many.

What I found interesting about your product is the fact that it can easily transfer to a USB stick (or external hard drive) almost any Boot CD/DVD, from the CD or DVD themselves or from an ISO file of these Boot CD/DVD. This, added to the fact that it is possible to use the USB stick on which the Boot CD/DVD is installed to transfer selected folders and files of our OS in case that we are not able to boot in our OS and obliged to restore an old backup image of it, and also to the fact that it may become very handy if our CD/DVD reader breaks suddenly and that we urgently need to boot from a peculiar CD or DVD for whatever reason.

I tried your software under its portable version : I installed with it, on a USB stick, the free software AOMEI PE Builder and everything worked like a charm.

I think that your product is a "must", because of all its features and also because of its lifetime upgrades license.

I also think that maybe the review at the top of the page should be rewrited in such a way that someone newly introduced to your software may more clearly understand all of its possibilities and that it has not mainly be created "to install a fully-functional Windows 8 to a USB thumbdrive", that which is only one of its numerous possibilities.

I don't know if many people are like me, but often I don't read completely the review of the product, I just try to grasp the essential use of the reviewed software : in the case of your software, there is not just a single use of it, but many different uses and that is not very well shown in the review. I have understood more clearly your software after I saw its description on your own website.

Anyway, I am satisfied to have your software in my arsenal and I am sure it will serve usefully from time to time.

Recommended !

Jun 21 2015 at 3:27am Copy Link

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mix624 Hi,

I just bought and downloaded it to my Desktop with Win 7 Pro.

1
My idea is to install a linux OS on a USB device which I can then give away to a partner etc. How many USB devices with this setup can I create ?

2
And I would also like to use my Windows 8 on a pad to create a bootable USB device.

3
Do I need to buy another license for the above setups ?

Jun 21 2015 at 3:13pm Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @mix624: Number of formatted USB devices per license is not limited. Number of computers FlashBoot is installed to per license is not limited. So you can do all of the above with single license key you already bought.

PrimeExpert Software - Jun 21 2015 at 10:59pm Copy Link

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Rich OBrien At today's price, I'm going to pay for FlashBoot to be ready to use it after I've done the free upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7. At last I have a compelling reason to upgrade.
The FlashBoot website says: FlashBoot also supports booting from USB hard disks. Great. I've long wanted to be able to boot from my USB external hard disks. Casper clones my boot drive to internal drives and external drives but only the internal drives will boot. FlashBoot sounds like it is exactly what I've been hoping to find. Thanks again to BitsDuJour for helping me find what I could not find without help. And at a great price.
The FlashBoot website says: FlashBoot can convert Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10 installation CD/DVD to bootable USB disk, useful for Windows installation on netbooks and other devices without CD/DVD drive. If you buy a 4 GB flash drive - thumb drive to hold your Windows installation files, pay a few dollars more for the USB 3.0 drive with the blue plastic. They are 10 times faster.

Jan 12 2016 at 8:18am Copy Link

2

Peter Dr Will FlahsBoot work on more than one USB Thumb drive? I would like to be able to test out Win 10 from a thumb drive. I would also like to try out some Linix Distros as well. Would the one licence allow me to do this?

Jan 12 2016 at 9:43am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Peter Dr:

Yes, you can do that. FlashBoot is licensed per user, and not bound to the hardware. Single licensed copy of FlashBoot will work with all of your USB thumbdrives.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 12 2016 at 11:59am Copy Link

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John User I purchased this software via PayPal and received only an email from Avangate. I think there is a file attached license_key.xml, but I am unable to read this if this is my key. Also, no instructions/file to download for the program itself.

Thank you

Jan 12 2016 at 12:07pm Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @John User:

Yes, license_key.xml is your license key for FlashBoot, which should be saved to FlashBoot installation folder (C:\Program Files\FlashBoot). This file will turn demo version into the full version.

If you have any difficulties with that, please drop me a line to flashboot@prime-expert.com with your order ID or e-mail address or full name and I will send you a link to the personalized installer.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 12 2016 at 12:18pm Copy Link

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Craig S. Very interested in this, but multiboot is such an important feature. I see this is currently the most requested feature on your poll. How likely is this to implemented? And if so, when might we expect to see it? Thank you.

Jan 12 2016 at 1:50pm Copy Link

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Peter Dr @ Mikhail

Thank you for the clarification. Heading off now to purchase :)

Jan 12 2016 at 3:29pm Copy Link

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John User My thanks to Mikhail for sending me my own personalized download, installation and registration package. I like what I have seen so far from this program.

Jan 12 2016 at 8:21pm Copy Link

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W Ma I see support for UEFI platforms. Will a single USB drive work on both UEFI and non-UEFI systems or does the drive have to be formatted specifically for one or the other?

Jan 12 2016 at 8:36pm Copy Link

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Adam Bridge Hi Mikhail

Have also just purchased but only appear to have received the Avangate receipt. Could you send me the xml file or suitable link ? Many thanks Adam Bridge

Jan 12 2016 at 10:36pm Copy Link

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Adam Bridge Mikhail - apologies - I jumped the Gun - received now many thanks.

Jan 12 2016 at 10:39pm Copy Link

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HungryForDeals Does this work for linux?

Jan 12 2016 at 10:50pm Copy Link

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Nico Westerdale Great News! PrimeExpert Software has agreed to extend this deal for another day - Enjoy!

BitsDuJour Admin - Jan 13 2016 at 12:11am Copy Link

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Mike Shanahan I probably know the answer, but just in case:

Is there any way to use this tool to create a bootable Windows 7? I see where you can put a Windows 7 installer on a USB drive with FlashBoot, but what about an actual bootable Windows 7? Any way at all? Ideas on alternatives?

Thanks much!

Jan 13 2016 at 12:46am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Craig S.:

We are considering multiboot as a feature for future releases, but given the large amount of work to implement it, and complication of FlashBoot user interface related to this feature, there's no deadline for it as of now.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 13 2016 at 12:53am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @W Ma:

As of now, it has to be formatted specifically for UEFI or non-UEFI. This is because of run-Windows-from-USB feature: BCD registry hive of Windows Loader must have different layout on UEFI and non-UEFI systems.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 13 2016 at 12:58am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @HungryForDeals:

Yes, it's compatible all Linux distributions which boot via ISOLinux/SysLinux bootloader. For example, Ubuntu 15.04, SLAX 7.0.8.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 13 2016 at 1:04am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Mike Shanahan:

Windows 7/Vista/XP detects hardware and installs drivers during OS installation only (so if you change your motherboard/processor later, you can get a blue screen of death). Windows 8/8.1/10 keeps separate registry tree of installed drivers per each computer, and switches automatically between these trees. First boot on the new computer takes a little longer, so hardware gets detected and built-in drivers installed, subsequent boots are fast as usual. Switching computers back and forth is fast too, as hardware profiles are kept separately.

That's why FlashBoot's run-Windows-from-USB feature requires Windows 8, 8.1 or 10, and Windows 7/Vista/XP are not supported.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 13 2016 at 1:09am Copy Link

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Mike Shanahan Thank you, Sir.

Jan 13 2016 at 1:11am Copy Link

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Wade Townsend Hi, purchased this late last night via PayPal and so far have not received any download link to the product. I did receive an e-mail from Avangate verifying the order was placed and processed... Do I need to download this directly from your website or do you send me the download as well as the license key.

Thanks.

Wade

Jan 13 2016 at 8:23am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Wade Townsend:

Please drop me a line to flashboot@prime-expert.com with your order ID. I will retrieve your license key via Avangate vendor's control panel and resend it to you. (Maybe first automated e-mail message from Avangate with your license key for FlashBoot got filtered as spam.)

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 13 2016 at 8:35am Copy Link

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Wade Townsend Nope, checked spam folder and it is clean. Will send via my priv. e-mail order# as requested.

Thanks.

Jan 13 2016 at 8:57am Copy Link

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Nico Westerdale Great News! PrimeExpert Software has agreed to extend this deal for another day - Enjoy!

BitsDuJour Admin - Jan 14 2016 at 12:11am Copy Link

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Bertie Brummel Hello, in June 2015 I purchased FlashBoot via BdJ. Is this license still valid for
Vers 3.xx?

Jan 14 2016 at 2:19am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Bertie Brummel:

Your license key for FlashBoot is valid for the latest version. We offer free upgrades for lifetime, our earliest users purchased FlashBoot in 2005.

(By the way, latest version of FlashBoot as of now is 2.3a, and 3.xx is yet to come.)

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 14 2016 at 2:38am Copy Link

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Cary Adams How does this differ from Rufus?

Jan 14 2016 at 8:15am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik FlashBoot advantages over free tools like Rufus:

1) A lot of useful scenarios in the single tool:
Booting Windows from USB thumbdrive, installing Windows from USB thumbdrive, installing BartPE to USB thumbdrive, support for a large number of other conversions of bootable disks to bootable USB thumb drive.
http://www.prime-expert.c...humbdrive/

2) Convenient user interface:
FlashBoot is organized as simple and very straightforward wizard, which does now show or ask unnecessary information or options. User does not have to make choice from long list of all possible disk types. Disk type and conversion scenario is detected automatically, although experienced user can override it. If there's a conflict, FlashBoot displays detailed list of processes and windows which hold open files and folders on the USB device.

3) Easier for user: no need to reconfigure the BIOS:
Usually BIOSes have an option to boot from USB thumbdrive either as USB-ZIP or USB-HDD. If this option does not match format of the particular USB thumbdrive, then USB thumbdrive is not bootable. FlashBoot does not shift to user the burden of choice between USB-ZIP (superfloppy) and USB-HDD (partitioned) at format time. Every USB thumbdrive is formatted by FlashBoot in such way that it will work in both conditions: both USB-ZIP and USB-HDD regardless of current BIOS setting. This unique feature is called "Multiformat", and this is for sake of best user experience possible.

4) Uniquely wide compatibility with BIOSes of various vendors:
Sometimes CHS geometry of USB thumbdrive differs between formatting PC and booting PC. Hence USB thumbdrive does not boot. FlashBoot stage2 loader has unique compatibility layer which takes care of these issues at the time of USB thumbdrive formatting. This feature is unmatched by any of the free tools too.
See table here for details about this: http://www.prime-expert.c...shboot.php

5) Better protection of the user data:
- Extra warning and confirmation dialog if you are formatting USB-HDD instead of USB thumbdrive.
- Second warning and confirmation dialog if your are overwriting USB device with two or more partitions.
- There's a real world phenomenon called worn-out flash memory, consisting of flash memory cells which don't produce any errors during write operation, but silently flip some subset of data bits. FlashBoot verifies all data it writes to USB thumbdrives, including filesystem metadata, and retries up to three times all silently failed writes before complaining to the user.

6) FlashBoot supports command-line interface as alternative to GUI for power users who need automation or unattended operation.

7) FlashBoot is an old good shareware:
No toolbars, no ads, no spamming through e-mail database and no other crap in the installer and software. Remember: even if you are using freeware, vendor has to pay for webhosting somehow. So if you don't pay for software, then you're the product.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 14 2016 at 10:08am Copy Link

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Jon Spain Is this the same as FlashBoot Wizard (bought here 13 Jan 2012), please?

Jul 19 2016 at 12:27am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Jon Spain:

Since 2012 FlashBoot had a lot of updates and new features. We have added support for installing full version of Windows 8/8.1/10 to USB thumbdrives, support for UEFI platform, support for in-place upgrades for USB thumbdrives formatted in demo version and more. See full details here: http://www.prime-expert.c...pdates.php

All FlashBoot users can get free upgrades for lifetime. So you can visit our website, download latest version of FlashBoot, apply your old license key to the new version, and get all these new features for free.
http://www.prime-expert.com/flashboot/

PrimeExpert Software - Jul 19 2016 at 12:48am Copy Link

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Jon Spain @Mikhail Thank you, so it is the same. Someone above gave the Win7 download details, which is what I need, thanks again.

Jul 19 2016 at 12:59am Copy Link

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Captain B If I plug a bootable USB device into just any computer will it boot from the device automatically as soon as I turn on power to the computer or do I need to first change the computer's settings?

Jul 19 2016 at 9:41am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Larry Neuton:

Boot order is determined by BIOS setup settings (usually you can enter BIOS setup at boot time using DEL key, or F1 in some rare cases). There you can set up computer to boot from USB thumbdrive each time it's plugged in at boot time. If it's not plugged, your computer will boot from HDD.

Also you can boot from USB thumbdrive only once, by invoking boot menu. Usually it's invoked by F8 key, or ESC, or F12 on some motherboards/notebooks. In this case your computer will boot from HDD next time, regardless of whether USB thumbdrive is plugged or not.

If these keys does not work and no hints appear at boot time, read user manual for your motherboard or notebook. More details: http://www.prime-expert.c...p_bios.php

PrimeExpert Software - Jul 19 2016 at 10:26am Copy Link

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geo User Hello Mikhail.
My question is this.
I want to install a full full functioning op sys say W7 or W10 on a USB HDD.
Then use that connected on a USB2.0 or USB3.0 of a laptop to boot the machine, run the laptop and accomplish tasks like run a particular application that is installed on that HDD or run a browser. I understand that the speed of that running system will be limited by the USB 2.0 or 3.0 data rate and actual throughput. Is this something realistic that can be accomplished with this software? If so are there any guides on this?
Also, if this same task is to be done using USB flash drive what precautions are necessary to prevent flash memory cell burn by the op sys read write cycles for the swap file? What about the minimum specs for such USB flash?
Do you have any tests done on specific model/brands?

Thanks.

Jul 19 2016 at 11:38am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @geo User:

Windows running from USB 3.0 thumdrives and USB 3.0 HDDs is as fast as running from internal HDD. Interface speed of 400 Mbytes/sec is enough for every purpose today.

Regarding USB 2.0, well, it boots and works noticeably slower, typically booting takes 4-5 minutes, so 40 Mbytes/sec speed limit of USB 2.0 interface does not go unnoticed. But it works! So we decided that it's up to users to decide if the speed is good enough and if particular USB device or computer needs upgrade. Also we have a step-by-step guide how to tune Windows to make it write less to the boot device, so it will work faster on USB 2.0 hardware: http://www.prime-expert.c...indows.php

Regarding swap file, it is automatically disabled by FlashBoot in the registry hive of portable Windows installation on the USB thumbdrive, for exact reason you mentioned: to reduce wearout of flash memory cells.

PrimeExpert Software - Jul 19 2016 at 12:45pm Copy Link

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geo User Thanks Mikhail for your answer.
One other question I have is: Is there a special procedure for the different op systems like XP, w7, W10, Linux etc ?
Your site has a W8/W10 example. Is W7 also possible or only W8/W10?
Also, I see that the scenario uses a Windows DVD for the install of the op sys. The same would be possible with an ISO image on the source HDD? Would the W10 (or any version) install get flagged if it is run on 2 target machines due to different hardware/ manufacturers. Wouldn't it be a problem due to hardware/driver differences ? How could you minimize that problem?
I believe you have an excellent product regardless and plan to purchase it!

Thanks.

Jul 19 2016 at 1:33pm Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @geo User:

Windows 8/8.1/10 supports independent hardware profiles for each PC it runs on. First boot takes a little longer, so hardware is detected and drivers are installed (up to 10 minutes on USB 3.0 devices, up to 40 minutes on USB 2.0 devices). When you switch between computers, appropriate hardware profile gets picked up at boot time and Windows boots quickly. Different hardware profiles are stored in the different registry hives. So there would be no problems running on 2 or more target machines due to hardware/driver differences.

Windows 7 and earlier versions doesn't support multiple hardware profiles though, because Windows 7 gets bound to the hardware of the first PC it boots on. Drivers are installed once, so if you transfer Windows7-on-USB to the another PC, then you will likely get a BSoD (blue screen of death) at boot time due to drivers mismatch. For this reason FlashBoot does not allow Windows 7 or Windows XP to be installed on the USB thumbdrive [to be used as a full-featured OS], you need at least Windows 8/8.1/10 for that purpose. There's a chance that future versions of FlashBoot could allow running virtual machine from USB thumbdrive (and so booting older versions of Windows), we are exploring this opportunity and may have first results this autumn.

Also, yes, you can use ISO image file as a data source in every case FlashBoot requires a DVD disc. FlashBoot can handle ISO-9660 and UDF filesystems internally, without relying on virtual CD/DVD emulation software. But of couse it will work in conjuction with that software too.

PrimeExpert Software - Jul 19 2016 at 2:57pm Copy Link

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geo User Mikhail, thanks for your replies !
Always a pleasure to see developers/vendors like yourself that will actively participate in these offers.
In my book it speaks volumes in itself !!!
Keep up the good work and thanks.

Jul 19 2016 at 5:20pm Copy Link

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Cary Adams My laptop has UEFI and secure boot with Win8.1-64 installed. I want to install my favorite Linux distro on a bootable USB compatible with UEFI/secure drive features active in my bios. Is this easily done with Flashboot?

Jul 20 2016 at 7:22am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Cary Adams:

Secure Boot is a technology from Microsoft Corporation and its partners, developed to restrict a list of operating systems which can be loaded by your computer to the operating systems produced by Microsoft itself, as well as few other large corporations which are its partners (ex: Canonical and Red Hat) and can acquire digital signature from Microsoft on the bootloaders of their operating systems.

Other free operating systems, such as FreeBSD, and also many small Linux distributions, albeit fully conform to all Microsoft requirements, still can't acquire digital signature from Microsoft on their bootloaders, and so can't boot when BIOS is configured in this mode. It's not clear how long they will have to wait.
https://wiki.freebsd.org/SecureBoot

The very idea that Microsoft has a right to restrict a list of operating systems which you can run on your computer, by excluding its competitors from it, is controversial and looks contradictory. And in general this is more policial matter than software/technical matter. Some people boycott notebook vendors for this reason, other people make webcomics to draw attention to it (in 2012 draft version of this technology was called Restricted Boot):
https://www.fsf.org/news/...ic-contest

FlashBoot is not a tool to crack Secure Boot. If operating system does not have approval from Microsoft for running on your computer, then sorry, FlashBoot can't crack your BIOS and make it work. You should understand that Secure Boot is a censorship tool of software monopolies and just disable it in your BIOS setup, at least while you have such opportunity.

If your operating system of choice is signed by Microsoft for Secure Boot, then FlashBoot will keep this signature intact, and so it will work, as when booting from CD/DVD.

PrimeExpert Software - Jul 20 2016 at 9:30am Copy Link

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Lito It's a great product, I put a Win 10 ISO onto a flash drive using it last night. It was very painless. Only one thing I wanted to mention, when I made it I think it did a full format of the usb drive. I don't remember seeing an option to do a quick one so unless I missed it I hope you will add that in an update.

I also have a quick question, can I put 2 different OSes on a USB drive with flash boot? I want to also put in a copy of Linux Mint 18 on the same USB as my Win 10 ISO and pick which one to boot into. I was wondering is that possible? I still have plenty of space on the usb drive so I'd really like to be able to make use of it :)

Jul 20 2016 at 11:15am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Lito:

By default FlashBoot verifies all data written to the USB thumbdrive flash memory by re-reading it later in process of formatting. You can get a speedup by setting HKEY_CURRENT_USER\FlashBoot\2.3\VerifyWritesToFlashMemory registry value to REG_DWORD 0. But that's not recommended, because flash memory which just silently fails to remember written data, instead of reporting errors to software, occurs too often in practice. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Regarding putting two or more different bootable operating systems on the single USB thumbdrive, we are considering this feature for future versions. But currently it's not a top priority, because it will significantly complicate user interface of the FlashBoot, and in our opinion, it's very important to keep software simple and straightforward for the average user. FlashBoot should not become bloatware.

But this feature is in our Next Feature Poll For FlashBoot. If you consider it important, vote for it (it is called Multiboot): http://www.prime-expert.c...t/poll.php

PrimeExpert Software - Jul 20 2016 at 12:31pm Copy Link

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Robert Crombie If we used an external Hard Drive (say a 3.5" drive with spinning platters, Not SSD), in a dock with USB cable connected to the PC.
Can your program make it bootable ?

Thanks,
Rob

Jul 21 2016 at 6:59pm Copy Link

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disenchanted I have an older version from 2015. The fine print says, "Upgrades to future versions of the software will be free for the lifetime of the product."

Can I upgrade using the same xml file and your downloadable demo?

Jan 22 2018 at 1:26am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @disenchanted: Yes, we provide free lifetime updates. FlashBoot 3.0 was just released and now you can upgrade to FlashBoot 3.0 Pro by downloading and installing FlashBoot 3.0 Free from http://www.prime-expert.c...-setup.exe and adding your license key xml file.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 22 2018 at 10:27am Copy Link

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cormac User Will a windows USB created with this software have persistence in terms of saving files and documents created on it?

Jan 23 2018 at 12:05am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @cormac User: Yes, files will be saved permanently and are preserved across reboots.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 23 2018 at 12:15am Copy Link

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Walter Meckley Is this the pro version?

Jan 23 2018 at 8:46am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Walter Meckley: Yes, subject of today's promotion on Bits du Jour is FlashBoot Pro.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 23 2018 at 8:56am Copy Link

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disenchanted Any chance your EMERGENCY BOOT KIT will appear here on BDJ, on sale, in the near future?

Jan 23 2018 at 11:58pm Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @disenchanted: We promote Emergency Boot Kit (our another product) on BDJ with 50% discount recurrently, once per 6-8 months. Last promotion was in November of 2017.

In the meanwhile, we offer 20% everyday discount for Emergency Boot Kit on BDJ: http://www.bitsdujour.com...y-boot-kit

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 24 2018 at 12:06am Copy Link

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Nico Westerdale Great News! PrimeExpert Software has agreed to extend this deal for another day - Enjoy!

BitsDuJour Admin - Jan 24 2018 at 12:11am Copy Link

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jboothco Looks interesting, however my AV says the download link both here and on the website is dangerous and blocks it. Any idea why?

Jan 24 2018 at 6:56am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @jboothco:

VirusTotal says it's clean:
https://www.virustotal.co.../detection

If unsure, you can run FlashBoot in virtual machine with full network isolation. FlashBoot doesn't require activation and doesn't access network during normal operation.

Maybe you are getting false positive result because we released FlashBoot version 3.0 just two days ago, so your antivirus vendor didn't add this file to known-good list yet. You can report this to your AV support team to faciliate whitelisting, or just wait a few days.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 24 2018 at 7:18am Copy Link

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jboothco It's not the file, it's the website page itself. If I click on the Download Trial button above I am blocked from even getting to the flashboot site. I never get to do the download. I'm using ESET NOD32.

Jan 24 2018 at 7:34am Copy Link

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Toni User Do you plan on making a CLONE option,to clone the installed windows onto USB,or is this feature already on it?
If so, does it cause problems to boot the machine on the same computer it was made from? eg. hard drive ID conflict.. ?

Jan 24 2018 at 12:05pm Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Toni User: No clone option so far, but idea seems very interesting, thanks for useful suggestion. I've just added it to Next Feature Poll on our website: http://www.prime-expert.c...t/poll.php

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 24 2018 at 12:35pm Copy Link

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Toni User @Mikhail:
This project seems to be so cool,i bought an license just to support you guys. :)
Too good deal to be passed. ;)
I will take a look at the actual program later on.

Jan 25 2018 at 1:33am Copy Link

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ron r I am really interested in this one.

1)
Is it possible to add installed applications on the exported USB OS.
For example, I have AOMEI partition and backupper installed on my PC, can I add these to the exported USB OS? (windows 10).

And will these applications work?

2)
Changes made while booted in the USB OS are persistant?
Example: (windows 10) If I boot into the USB OS and the screen in Portrait mode-flipped will it remember this?

3)
Can I use the exported USB-OS on other pc's or is it bound to the pc the USB OS created on?

4)
Is it possible to export a virtualbox virtual machine as a USB OS with this tool?

Aug 25 2018 at 3:37am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @ron r:

1)
When you create bootable clone using FlashBoot Pro, entire disk C:, including all installed applications, is copied to USB thumbdrive or USB HDD. Of course all applications work when you boot Windows from USB storage device.
When you install full version of Windows using FlashBoot Free, you get clean Windows without third-party applications on USB storage device, as if you just bought new PC. Then you can install third-party applications to that portable instance of Windows usual way, via their installers. Windows on USB storage device has its own independent registry and filesystem.

2)
Yes, changes are persisted on USB storage device Windows boots from. An instance of Windows on USB storage device is independent from your original Windows instance on HDD/SSD. You can delete system partition, detach HDD/SSD from your computer, no matter what you do with your first instance of Windows, second instance of Windows on USB storage device will boot normally and maintain its state. If you uninstall any application when running Windows from USB storage device, your applications on HDD/SSD will not be affected.

3)
An instance of Windows on USB storage device is not bound to original PC and will boot everywhere. However, first boot on yet-unseen PC will take a bit longer (about 5 minutes) so hardware gets detected and drivers are installed. Subsequent reboots will be faster, even when switching PCs (Windows maintains a separate hardware profile for each PC it ever boots from, this applies to Windows 10 and Windows 8/8.1).

4)
Yes, just install FlashBoot into VirtualBox guest OS.

PrimeExpert Software - Aug 25 2018 at 8:21am Copy Link

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ron r Thank you, I will get a license as soon as the promotion starts!

Aug 25 2018 at 8:43am Copy Link

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Dunking Presumably, since Window 8 and 10 are specifically identified, it isn't possible to make a bootable Windows 7 USB drive? Why is that?

I ask because I would want to use W7 as a recovery platform, and I don't have W10 or W8, and have little motivation to use them if I did.

Aug 27 2018 at 12:46am Copy Link

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Amit 1. How can we use flashboot to install windows 7 to LATEST NVME SSDs ? When I have heard that only windows 8 and 10 are supported on latest nvme ssds ? Is it really working ?

2. Can we use flashboot to install windows 7 in ryzen pcs ?

2. And can windows 7 be installed by flashboot to the ssd, hdd and external drive - TO ALL OF THEM ?

Please confirm these all questions in regards to windows 7.

Thanks.

Aug 27 2018 at 1:11am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Dunking, @Amit:

FlashBoot has two modes (see screenshot of the main menu above):

Mode 1. Preparing USB thumbdrive or USB HDD to install Windows to internal HDD/SSD from USB storage device instead of DVD. After installation from external USB storage device to internal HDD/SSD, OS will boot from internal HDD/SSD. This mode is supported for all operating systems starting from Windows XP to Windows 10. Additionally, FlashBoot supports integrating drivers to Windows 7/8/8.1/10 installer on USB storage device, so any of these operating systems can be installed to NVMe SSDs and AMD Ryzen platform (yes, Windows 7 too, it is really working and have been tested multiple times).

Mode 2. Installing full-featured version of Windows directly to USB storage device. No HDD/SSD is required for further operation. Windows boots directly from USB storage device, disk C: and Windows Registry is on USB thumbdrive or USB HDD. After installation, OS can boot on multiple PCs, where USB storage device is currently attached to (Windows To Go). This mode is supported for Windows 10, Windows 8.1 and Windows 8. Windows 7 and earlier operating systems does not support Windows To Go mode. In Windows 8+ there is a special registry hive called DRIVERS, which is essentially a binary cache of preparsed INF files. This binary cache enables Windows 8+ to install drivers for chipset, USB controller and other boot critical devices without parsing INF files, in kernel mode, at boot time. Windows 7 and earlier operating systems don't have DRIVERS registry hive, so they can't install drivers at boot time, they rely on Windows Setup to detect hardware and install drivers from INF files during normal Windows installation to HDD/SSD from DVD or USB. No driver means BSoD INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE at boot time, just as when moving HDD/SSD with preinstalled Windows 7 between motherboards with different chipsets. So: DRIVERS registry hive is a core feature of Windows OS which enables Windows To Go for Windows 8+. Windows 7 and earlier systems just don't have DRIVERS registry hive, don't support To Go mode at OS level, hence no support for this mode in FlashBoot.

PrimeExpert Software - Aug 27 2018 at 5:45am Copy Link

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Dunking Thanks for the detailed info, @Mikhail. Unfortunately that rules out my intended use, so it wouldn't be much good for me.

I have to say that's a bit of a surprise since whenever I've move an existing XP or W7 installation to new hardware, they have booted and then had a furkle to install drivers for the new hardware. The only problem I can recall was when SATA first came out and without the drivers the disk couldn't be accessed during the boot process.

Aug 27 2018 at 6:14am Copy Link

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Robert Crombie Which formats does it handle ?
Can it use NTFS ?

Aug 28 2018 at 11:47pm Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Robert Crombie:

FlashBoot handles input data in ISO, WIM or ESD formats. In particular, for ISO format it supports ISO 9660 and UDF filesystems. Also FlashBoot can read images of USB storage devices.

During formatting of target USB thumbdrive or USB HDD, FlashBoot creates MBR or GPT partitioning layout, with FAT and/or NTFS filesystem(s), depending on the scenario chosen by user.

FlashBoot deduces all these parameters automatically, but here are some details, with per-scenario breakdown, if you are really interested why it is so and not in another way:

InstallWindows8or10ToUSB_FromDVD_BiosMode
InstallWindows8or10ToUSB_FromESD_BiosMode
CreateBootableClone_BiosMode
= MBR layout to support booting on BIOS-based systems, and NTFS partition to support 4Gb+ files and NTFS ACLs

InstallWindows8or10ToUSB_FromDVD_UefiMode
InstallWindows8or10ToUSB_FromESD_UefiMode
CreateBootableClone_UefiMode
= GPT layout to support booting on UEFI-based systems, and NTFS partition to support 4Gb+ files and NTFS ACLs, and also additional FAT partition with EFI bootloader as required by UEFI specification.

PrepareWinVista78or10InstallerOnUSB_FromDVD_BiosMode
PrepareWinVista78or10InstallerOnUSB_FromESD_BiosMode
= MBR + either NTFS or FAT (one of them), depending on wherether install.wim is larger than 4Gb or not

PrepareWinVista78or10InstallerOnUSB_FromDVD_UefiMode
PrepareWinVista78or10InstallerOnUSB_FromESD_UefiMode
BuiltinUefiShell
= GPT + FAT (as required by UEFI specification, no room for maneuver here)

PrepareWinXpInstallerOnUSB_FromCD
ConvertBartPE_FromCDtoUSB
BuiltinMiniDos
Wipe
QuickFormat
FatSFX
= MBR + FAT

NtfsSFX
= MBR + NTFS

SaveRawImage
RestoreRawImage
DuplicateUsbToUsb
RawSFX
= no particular choice, user-provided data is transferred "as is"

PrimeExpert Software - Aug 29 2018 at 12:15am Copy Link

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Robert Crombie The owner (programmer) is very helpful.
Also if you have older versions of this or Emergency Boot Kit, you are allowed to upgrade to future versions for free.
Not too shabby,
Rob

Aug 29 2018 at 3:45am Copy Link

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Michael R. Is there a way to create a kind of virtual multiboot, until the 'real' thing - #1 on the poll-list - arrives? I mean, to have one usb-stick and many boot-programs on it and switch between them by renaming certain files manually (or with a batch-file), from another working computer in windows-mode?

Aug 29 2018 at 10:27am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Michael R.:

Renaming files won't be sufficient for multiboot, because for BIOS-related formatting scenarios USB thumbdrive or USB HDD must have MBR partitioning layout, and for UEFI-related formatting scenarios USB storage device must have GPT partitioning layout. Because GPT and MBR are mutually exclusive, UEFI/BIOS scenarios are clearly separated in FlashBoot. And because GPT and MBR are mutually exclusive, file-rename-based multiboot isn't possible. Something like this was possible in Windows XP/BartPE era, but things have changed because of UEFI.

PrimeExpert Software - Aug 29 2018 at 11:33am Copy Link

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William W. Geertsema First of all, I want to thank the developer for his informative and clear comments.

I work on a desktop computer with Windows 7 Pro.

I can obtain a copy of Windows 8.1 Pro, with a legal licence.

I am considering using FlashBoot to install Windows 8.1 on a thumbdrive.

Can you confirm that my following suppositions are correct:

1) The speed of 8.1 on the thumbdrive will be limited by the transfer speed to/from the main memory of my desktop computer through the USB 2 or USB 3 port.

2) The Windows 8.1 Explorer on the thumbdrive will not recognize the fixed disks of my desktop computer.

3) To access files (for reading or writing) on the desktop when running 8.1 on the thumbdrive, I will need a portable program (such as a suitable partition manager or disk manager) installed on the thumbdrive.

Thank you very much for replying.

William W. Geertsema
w.w.geertsema

planet.nl

Aug 30 2018 at 8:00am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @William W. Geertsema:

1) Yes, speed is limited by USB host controller and USB device. Windows on USB 3.0 feels as fast as on internal HDD, and Windows on USB 2.0 is a bit slower, but usable.

2&3) No third party software is needed to access fixed disks on your computer when you are running Windows from USB storage device prepared by FlashBoot. Windows Explorer and other Windows software will recognize fixed disks perfectly fine.

Fixed disks of your computer may have different drive letters when Windows is loaded from USB storage device (because disk C: points to USB storage device in that context), but they will still work, and changes to them will persist across reboots.

PrimeExpert Software - Aug 30 2018 at 9:32am Copy Link

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Alexandre Emeriau "FlashBoot has free updates for lifetime" does that includes lifetime upgrades ? ie whatever new release, it's included in the licence ?

Aug 30 2018 at 3:19pm Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Alexandre Emeriau:

Whatever the new release, minor or major, update or upgrade, it's all included in licence for FlashBoot.

For example, transition from version 3.0 to version 3.1 is free, and transition from version 1.0 to version 3.1 is also free.

PrimeExpert Software - Aug 30 2018 at 3:27pm Copy Link

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Alexandre Emeriau Suppressed comment

Aug 30 2018 at 3:28pm Copy Link

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Alexandre Emeriau I forgot : where is the changelog ?

Aug 30 2018 at 3:29pm Copy Link

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Alexandre Emeriau zemana antilogger see a malwre in it as you can see https://cl.ly/e8c64acb7bd7.
As we all know that "it's a false positive is not an answer" could you contact the author so that it can whilelist ?

his email => armagan.tugsal

zemana.com, most of the time he does the job even he didn't answer each time. Some others times, maybe when overwhelmed, he may ask the customer to study the case and make a detail report but we all know that this is not he job of the end user to do that.

Aug 30 2018 at 3:49pm Copy Link

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HKP I already purchased Flash Boot when you offered the software on September the 20th last year. Flash Boot doesn’t work for me until now. All I got is an endless list of useless error messages after 7 (!) hours. I made sure to provide enough space on my USB device. I used a USB-HDD. Probably the USB-device wasn’t prepared the right way: Is unallocated space needed or an empty partition formatted in NTFS?

Jan 19 2019 at 7:00am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @HKP: Please send FlashBoot error log or some screenshots to flashboot@prime-expert.com . Maybe USB storage device is unreliable, returns write errors to software etc. And by the way, there's no need to prepare USB device in advance, FlashBoot will create partition table itself.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 19 2019 at 7:14am Copy Link

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Wilfried User Some Month ago, it was stated that flashboot can install Linux distros like Ubuntu etc. one thumbdrives. What i`m missing is the way to do in/with FlashBoot. I didn`t find any hints about this feature, neither on the homepage, neither in the helpfile and also not in the software itself.

Jan 22 2019 at 7:34am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Wilfried User: FlashBoot can install Ubuntu, Mint and other modern Linux distributions to USB thumbdrive. After downloading e.g. ubuntu-18.04.1-desktop-amd64.iso, run FlashBoot, choose "USB imaging and duplication" in the main menu, then "Restore image file to USB storage device". This is called "Hybrid ISO mode" in Linux parlance.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 22 2019 at 8:19am Copy Link

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Wilfried User €Mikhail Kupchik: Hm, maybe you should think about to describe scenarios like that on your website and/or the helpfile for persons like me, which aren`t so deep informed in this topic!? Another Question: Why is there no option between BIOS and UEFI based computers needed in "Restore image file to USB storage device"? What is the difference between Linux images and Windows images, because both of them are distributed as iso files. What happens with the thumbdrive install if someone opens e.g. Windows 10 x32.iso instead of ubuntu-18.04.1-desktop-amd64.iso and vice versa?

Jan 22 2019 at 9:11am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Wilfried User: Windows ISO files should be used either with "Full OS -> USB" or with "OS installer -> USB" main menu option in FlashBoot.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 22 2019 at 10:15am Copy Link

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Don Versluys Do I need to install this instantly?
I have a Thinkpad (Win 7 pro) coming with a bootable hard drive in it and an empty SSD slot.
I want to buy an SSD and install the hard drive OS on the SSD using the pro version of Flashboot.
Is this possible with the Pro version?
Don

Jan 22 2019 at 12:58pm Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Don Versluys: Yes, FlashBoot can facilitate installation of Windows 7 to SSD (for example, by adding NVMe drivers to Windows 7 Setup).

No need to hurry. You can buy FlashBoot today, and install Windows 7 at a later time, after buying your SSD. There are no time limits, you can use FlashBoot Pro whenever you want, and as many times as you want.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 22 2019 at 1:30pm Copy Link

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Wilfried User @Mikhail Kupchik
My formerly question again: Why is there no option between BIOS and UEFI based computers needed in "Restore image file to USB storage device" to make bootable Linux distros?
Is there no need for it to boot linux distros? When is it needed and in which cases it is not?
The more clarity of your products potential users have, the more sales you get. Didn`t you think about that @Mikhail?

Jan 22 2019 at 2:41pm Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Wilfried User: Whether particular Linux distribution will support UEFI booting mode or no, depends on that particular Linux distribution. There are many versions and distributions of Linux. Last and previous versions of Ubuntu and Mint were tested with FlashBoot and confirmed to work in UEFI mode, and that's enough I guess.

But Windows is more popular OS, so FlashBoot provides more options for it.
FlashBoot explicitly supports both UEFI and non-UEFI boot modes for all versions of Windows after XP, and at the same time it can prepare either OS installer or a full-featured OS on the USB thumbdrive. So there are 2x2=4 ways to convert single Windows ISO file to bootable USB thumbdrive.

Moreover, FlashBoot has unique features on the market: bootable clones (a copy of your computer in your pocket) and installable clones (self-extracting backup of Windows and installed software, which will be very useful in the case of next ransomware virus attack, loss/theft of laptop, hard drive failure or failure of Windows Update). These features even do not require any Windows ISO files.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 22 2019 at 3:15pm Copy Link

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Nico Westerdale Great News! PrimeExpert Software has agreed to extend this deal for another day - Enjoy!

BitsDuJour Admin - Jan 23 2019 at 12:11am Copy Link

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Rael Bauer How much space is needed on the USB drive to install Windows 7/8/10? Thanks.

Jan 23 2019 at 4:42am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Rael Bauer: for "OS installer on USB" minimum capacity requirement is 8Gb; for "full OS on USB" minimum capacity requirement is 16Gb, 32Gb is recommended.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 23 2019 at 5:09am Copy Link

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HJ B I purchased this product yesterday. My primary computer has the Windows 10 pro operating system. I inserted a USB 128 gig drive. I started the program, pointed it to the drive, and it chugged away for 9 hours in an endless loop of retrys. Nothing ended up on the USB drive.

After the first hour of the foregoing, I did the same thing on a totally independent computer running Windows 10 home. Exactly the same thing happened for the ensuing 8 hours.

How do I get my money back?
HJB

Jan 23 2019 at 5:15am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @HJ B: Maybe some incompatibility or whatever. No problem, I will refund your order. Just drop me a line with your order ID to flashboot@prime-expert.com.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 23 2019 at 5:29am Copy Link

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HJ B @Mikhail Kupchik Clearly there is an incompatibility. If it were only on one computer, I would accept the incompatibility as being unique. However, this was on two independent computers, running different versions of the operating system and using two different usb drives. That increases the liklihood that the problem is in the program. I notice that at least one other user (HPK) has reported a similar problem.
HJB

Jan 23 2019 at 6:11am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @HJ B: OK if you want this fixed, then please send me a screenshot with this problem to flashboot@prime-expert.com. At least I need to see the error message before I can reproduce this in my environment.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 23 2019 at 6:18am Copy Link

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HJ B @Mikhail Kupchik OK, here is what the status window looks like and it just keep repeating

Creating system restore point ...
Validating registry hives ...
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\SYSTEM
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\SOFTWARE
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\SECURITY
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\SAM
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\COMPONENTS
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\DRIVERS
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\ELAM
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\BBI
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\USERDIFF
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\BCD-Template
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\DEFAULT
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\SMI\Store\Machine\SCHEMA.DAT
Validating registry hive Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\NTUSER.DAT
Validating registry hive Windows\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\NTUSER.DAT
Validating registry hive Windows\AppCompat\Programs\Amcache.hve
Validating registry hive Users\boite\NTUSER.DAT
Validating registry hive Users\boite\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\UsrClass.dat
Validating registry hive Users\Default\NTUSER.DAT
Validation warning for Windows\System32\Config\BBI registry hive: L4 validation WARNING: Index-of-subkeys cell #0x000D65A8 has type IR, but there are not enough subkeys to be contained in IR
Context: \Events
(Expected key count = 362,
Limit = 507)

Could not replay logs for registry hive Users\boite\NTUSER.DAT: L4 validation failed: KS-cell #0x0028D020 has abnormally large length of security descriptor
Context: \Software\Microsoft\WcmSvc\Tethering\Roaming
(stored descriptor size = 0x00010020,
cell payload size = 0x0001FFFC)
Retrying
Creating system restore point ...
Validating registry hives ...
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\SYSTEM
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\SOFTWARE
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\SECURITY
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\SAM
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\COMPONENTS
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\DRIVERS
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\ELAM
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\BBI
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\USERDIFF
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\BCD-Template
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\DEFAULT
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\SMI\Store\Machine\SCHEMA.DAT
Validating registry hive Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\NTUSER.DAT
Validating registry hive Windows\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\NTUSER.DAT
Validating registry hive Windows\AppCompat\Programs\Amcache.hve
Validating registry hive Users\boite\NTUSER.DAT
Validating registry hive Users\boite\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\UsrClass.dat
Validating registry hive Users\Default\NTUSER.DAT
Validation warning for Windows\System32\Config\BBI registry hive: L4 validation WARNING: Index-of-subkeys cell #0x000D65A8 has type IR, but there are not enough subkeys to be contained in IR
Context: \Events
(Expected key count = 362,
Limit = 507)

Could not replay logs for registry hive Users\boite\NTUSER.DAT: L4 validation failed: KS-cell #0x0028D020 has abnormally large length of security descriptor
Context: \Software\Microsoft\WcmSvc\Tethering\Roaming
(stored descriptor size = 0x00010020,
cell payload size = 0x0001FFFC)
Retrying
Creating system restore point ...
Validating registry hives ...
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\SYSTEM
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\SOFTWARE
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\SECURITY
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\SAM
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\COMPONENTS
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\DRIVERS
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\ELAM
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\BBI
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\USERDIFF
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\BCD-Template
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\DEFAULT
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\SMI\Store\Machine\SCHEMA.DAT
Validating registry hive Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\NTUSER.DAT
Validating registry hive Windows\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\NTUSER.DAT
Validating registry hive Windows\AppCompat\Programs\Amcache.hve
Validating registry hive Users\boite\NTUSER.DAT
Validating registry hive Users\boite\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\UsrClass.dat
Validating registry hive Users\Default\NTUSER.DAT
Validation warning for Windows\System32\Config\BBI registry hive: L4 validation WARNING: Index-of-subkeys cell #0x000D65A8 has type IR, but there are not enough subkeys to be contained in IR
Context: \Events
(Expected key count = 362,
Limit = 507)

Could not replay logs for registry hive Users\boite\NTUSER.DAT: L4 validation failed: KS-cell #0x0028D020 has abnormally large length of security descriptor
Context: \Software\Microsoft\WcmSvc\Tethering\Roaming
(stored descriptor size = 0x00010020,
cell payload size = 0x0001FFFC)
Retrying
Creating system restore point ...
Validating registry hives ...
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\SYSTEM
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\SOFTWARE

Jan 23 2019 at 1:13pm Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @HJ B: OK, thank you for this report. Tomorrow an updated version of FlashBoot will be released, it will fix this problem.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 23 2019 at 1:45pm Copy Link

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Nico Westerdale Great News! PrimeExpert Software has agreed to extend this deal for another day - Enjoy!

BitsDuJour Admin - Jan 24 2019 at 12:11am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @HJ B, @HKP: A new version of FlashBoot was just released (version 3.2g), the problem you reported is fixed now.

Please download an updated version by clicking on private URL you've got by e-mail after your order for FlashBoot Pro.

Please sorry for the inconvenience. If there are any other problems like this, let me know please.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 24 2019 at 12:35am Copy Link

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Anne Williams I have purchased Flashboot. Now where can I direct it to my windows10pro setup files. Its OEM and I can't seem to find it on my pc. I do have the key.

Jan 24 2019 at 1:12pm Copy Link

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Anne Williams I purchased this program recently. Now where do I direct it to my windows 10 pro setup install files on my OEM computer. I do have the key.

Jan 24 2019 at 1:15pm Copy Link

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HJ B @Mikhail Kupchik
The good news is that the revised version did not go into an endless loop without doing anything.

The bad news is that I ran the program on two computers and, after chugging away for many hours, both efforts failed.

Computer 1. Started at 6AM and failed at 2:48pm . Here is the status report:
Creating system restore point ...
Validating registry hives ...
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\SYSTEM
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\SOFTWARE
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\SECURITY
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\SAM
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\COMPONENTS
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\DRIVERS
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\ELAM
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\BBI
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\USERDIFF
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\BCD-Template
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\DEFAULT
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\SMI\Store\Machine\SCHEMA.DAT
Validating registry hive Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\NTUSER.DAT
Validating registry hive Windows\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\NTUSER.DAT
Validating registry hive Windows\AppCompat\Programs\Amcache.hve
Validating registry hive Users\boite\NTUSER.DAT
Validating registry hive Users\boite\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\UsrClass.dat
Validating registry hive Users\Default\NTUSER.DAT
Formatting target USB thumbdrive or hard disk ...
Creating NTFS filesystem ...
Installing Windows Loader to the target USB thumbdrive ...
Saving boot configuration for the target USB thumbdrive ...
Duplicating system volume to the target USB thumbdrive ...
Error:
Can't apply WIM from the input pipe to target path "\\?\Volume{739856db-f890-11e7-b3a3-28c63f1552e4}\": Failed to write data to a file
[ERROR] Error writing data to target volume (status=c000007f): An operation failed because the disk was full.
If this is a thinly provisioned volume the physical storage backing this volume has been exhausted
Error:
Can't write WIM to pipe: Failed to write data to a file
[ERROR] Error writing chunk data to WIM file

*** ERROR ***
Volume duplication terminated abnormally

==============================
Computer # 2 - Started at 6:30 AM and failed at 3:21PM
Here is the status report:

Creating system restore point ...
Validating registry hives ...
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\SYSTEM
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\SOFTWARE
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\SECURITY
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\SAM
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\COMPONENTS
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\DRIVERS
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\ELAM
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\BBI
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\USERDIFF
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\BCD-Template
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\Config\DEFAULT
Validating registry hive Windows\System32\SMI\Store\Machine\SCHEMA.DAT
Validating registry hive Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\NTUSER.DAT
Validating registry hive Windows\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\NTUSER.DAT
Validating registry hive Windows\AppCompat\Programs\Amcache.hve
Validating registry hive Users\boite\NTUSER.DAT
Validating registry hive Users\boite\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\UsrClass.dat
Validating registry hive Users\Default\NTUSER.DAT
Formatting target USB thumbdrive or hard disk ...
Creating NTFS filesystem ...
Installing Windows Loader to the target USB thumbdrive ...
Saving boot configuration for the target USB thumbdrive ...
Duplicating system volume to the target USB thumbdrive ...
Turning off page file for Windows on the target USB thumbdrive ...
Configuring Windows Recovery ...

*** ERROR ***
Failed to open file \\?\Volume{996490c1-1cef-11e9-9962-b0359fe1c8f9}\\Windows\System32\Recovery\ReAgent.xml: The system cannot find the path specified.

=============
In each instance a 132GB USB drive was used.
The drive on computer 1 started empty and ended full
The drive on computer 2 started empty and ended with 60.7GB of data.

In each instance my selection of options was not to use compression, and I a accepted the scope of material proposed by the program

Jan 24 2019 at 6:03pm Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Anne Williams: ISO file for OEM-licensed versions of Windows can be downloaded from Microsoft servers using Microsoft Media Creation Tool.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 24 2019 at 10:53pm Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @HJ B: In the first case, you need to enable compression or use larger capacity USB thumbdrive. "Disk full" error is clearly visible from the error log.

Regarding second case: It's strange that system file, which is a part of the OS, is missing, but it is not essential for FlashBoot operation, we can manage without it. This will be fixed by subsequent update of FlashBoot.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 24 2019 at 11:02pm Copy Link

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Peter Pav Do you need a Windows install CD/DVD for this operation?

Jun 11 2019 at 1:54am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Peter Dav: It depends on FlashBoot feature you are using. Installable clones and bootable clones do not require Windows setup DVD or ISO file. Some other features require Windows setup DVD or ISO file:
• Preparing OS installer on USB thumbdrive (with optional driver integration)
• Installation of portable "To Go" version of the OS to USB storage device

PrimeExpert Software - Jun 11 2019 at 2:30am Copy Link

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Peter Pav Four laptops - they all have the Windows restore partition - none with a DVD.

Jun 11 2019 at 3:07am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Peter Pav: In this case, you can download Windows setup ISO file for reinstallation from Microsoft using their Media Creation Tool.

PrimeExpert Software - Jun 11 2019 at 3:21am Copy Link

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Peter Pav I might have been aware of that at one time but forgot about it. So many things to remember. Thanks. I'll buy Flashboot.

Jun 11 2019 at 3:38am Copy Link

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Danilo Coccia Changing HW platform could cause issues: don't installable clones and bootable clones cause problems with Windows activation?

Jun 11 2019 at 7:11am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Danilo Coccia: Windows activation data is not cloned (activation data is skipped by FlashBoot during cloning process). When cloned OS boots, Windows product key is either extracted by OS from "MSDM" ACPI table in platform firmware (for OEM-licensed editions of Windows, this is most common case today, when user buys OS together with computer and does not know Windows product key) or later entered by user manually (for retail editions of Windows, i.e. when user buys OS separately from computer and knows Windows product key), or OS just works without too much noise up to 30 days (bootable clones in guest environment without "MSDM" ACPI table).

PrimeExpert Software - Jun 11 2019 at 7:22am Copy Link

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Gary User I used Acronis and EaseUS for years to make bootable clone drives of my hard drives once a week but at some point, I think with Windows 10, the ability to create a bootable clone to a usb drive in a caddy like the Thermaltake BlacX was eliminated, making weekly cloning too difficult because it required opening the box and inserting a target drive in an internal drive bay.

So if your product will make a bootable clone from an internal hard drive to a drive in a caddy, so that if my internal hard drive dies I can just replace it with the clone drive, then I would buy one for each of my computers, even if that is all it did.

But I need confirmation that it will create a bootable clone when the source is an internal drive and the target is in a usb drive caddy.

Jun 12 2019 at 2:25am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Gary User: Yes, I confirm that FlashBoot will work with USB caddy and won't require opening the box to install a drive to an internal drive bay. This applies to all scenarios: making an installable clone, reinstalling Windows from installable clone, making a bootable clone, booting Windows from bootable clone. And FlashBoot has no problems in supporting latest versions of Windows 10.

Also our product doesn't have online activation, its license is not bound to hardware, so you can use one licensed copy of FlashBoot on all your computers, if you are the only person who is using the software.

PrimeExpert Software - Jun 12 2019 at 2:54am Copy Link

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Gary User Thanks for the quick reply.

Jun 12 2019 at 3:58am Copy Link

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Peter Laszlo I just purchased the software and paid via PayPal. The payment went through O.K. but the seller FastSpring rejected the order. I sent an email to them requesting that they fix this mess.
These "glitches" are becoming far too frequent under the guise of "security".

Software sellers need to keep these billing company clowns under control.
A lot of people waste a lot of time with these types of inane issues.
Let's hope that they can fix this within a short time, if not, I will be complaining very loudly to Bits.

Jun 12 2019 at 12:06pm Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Peter Laszlo: I've just asked our payment processor FastSpring to faciliate processing of your order. Sometimes they delay orders and put them to manual review queue when their automated fraud-check system detects some kind of anomaly (for example, billing address of the customer is too far from geolocation data derived from IP address). I hope your order billing issue will be resolved soon.

PrimeExpert Software - Jun 12 2019 at 2:35pm Copy Link

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Peter Laszlo THANK YOU, EXCELLENT SUPPORT.
P.L.

Jun 12 2019 at 11:33pm Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Peter Laszlo: I've tried to reach you via e-mail you provided during your order, and my mails bounce with SMTP error 550 5.1.1 "sorry, no mailbox here by that name (chkuser) ". Non-existing e-mail address might a be a reason why your order was rejected by FastSpring as well. I've contacted you via another e-mail address associated with your Bits du Jour account with further info how to proceed.

PrimeExpert Software - Jun 13 2019 at 12:13am Copy Link

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Edward Pritchard Jr Will this reboot a MP3, MP4 player. I bought 2 from wish dot com and neighter 1 of them work. Took it to Best Buy and they wanted $40 to reboot it to the factory settings.
Thank you
Edward

Jun 13 2019 at 7:55am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Edward Pritchard Jr: Unfortunately, no. This software is for Windows-based PCs only. Handheld and embedded devices are a totally different thing.

PrimeExpert Software - Jun 13 2019 at 8:22am Copy Link

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Edward Pritchard Jr Ok, thank you very much, that is what i thought but was not sure,

Jun 13 2019 at 8:33am Copy Link

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Konarsky @Mikhail Kupchik Do you have a lifetime upgrade license in your offer?

Dec 17 2019 at 5:19pm Copy Link

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Nathan That is what the fine print say, i think.

Dec 17 2019 at 7:47pm Copy Link

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Nico Westerdale Great News! PrimeExpert Software has agreed to extend this deal for another day - Enjoy!

BitsDuJour Admin - Dec 18 2019 at 12:11am Copy Link

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Konarsky @Satyaseelan User I missed it: "Upgrades to future versions of the software will be free for the lifetime of the product."

Dec 18 2019 at 12:20am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Konarsky, @Satyaseelan User:

We provide free lifetime upgrades for all users of FlashBoot, since 2005.

If you have ordered FlashBoot 2.3b or later version, you can upgrade to FlashBoot 3.x Pro simply by redownloading FlashBoot installer from order result URL. This is permanent private URL always pointing to latest version of FlashBoot Pro, corresponding to your order. For you convenience, this URL is also displayed after clicking on the "More Info..." button on the first page of FlashBoot wizard.

If you have ordered earlier versions of FlashBoot 2.0-2.3a or 1.x, then you can download and install FlashBoot 3.x Free from https://www.prime-expert.com/flashboot/ , and then convert it to FlashBoot 3.x Pro by adding your license key to the installation folder (e.g. "C:\Program Files\FlashBoot").

PrimeExpert Software - Dec 18 2019 at 12:25am Copy Link

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Robert Crombie What version number is it up to ?
I see 3.2 in the screen print above (but sometimes vendors show older images)

Dec 18 2019 at 12:57am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Robert Crombie:

FlashBoot screenshots on Bits du Jour were taken from the most recent version of FlashBoot (3.2w).

PrimeExpert Software - Dec 18 2019 at 1:04am Copy Link

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Michael R. Is there a limited-size of GB, you recommend for the USB-sticks?

I remember some time ago (1-2yrs), when I used my purchased version of Flashboot, when I tried to transfer a boot-iso-file to a little larger usb-stick (perhaps 32GB):
(1) it lasted quite long (hours), altough the ISO-file was not so big: The program seemed to format the whole stick block for block (instead of making a quick format) and than transfering just the necessary files...
(2) finally it ended with an error-message

I than used a much smaller usb-stick (e.g. 2-4 GB) and that worked fine.

Trying to use a micro-sd-card with an usb-adapter did not create a usable boot usb-stick. Is this typical?

Jun 17 2020 at 4:59am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Michael R.:

> Is there a limited-size of GB, you recommend for the USB-sticks?

Unlike other tools, FlashBoot can create FAT32 filesystems on USB thumdrives larger than 32 Gb. This is especially important in UEFI environment, where filesystem on USB thumbdrive must be recognized by motherboard firmware, and so NTFS is not supported.

Size limit for bootable USB thumbdrives is 2 TB (this limit is imposed by FAT32 filesystem, which is required by UEFI specification, and also 2 TB is a maximum size of MBR-partitioned USB thumbdrive for old BIOS-based computers).

> I remember some time ago (1-2yrs), when I used my purchased version of
> Flashboot, when I tried to transfer a boot-iso-file to a little larger
> usb-stick (perhaps 32GB): (1) it lasted quite long (hours), altough the
> ISO-file was not so big: The program seemed to format the whole stick
> block for block (instead of making a quick format) and than transfering
> just the necessary files... (2) finally it ended with an error-message
> I than used a much smaller usb-stick (e.g. 2-4 GB) and that worked fine.

When writing an ISO file to a large USB thumbdrive, FlashBoot performs zero padding to the full the size of USB thumbdrive. This is necessary to wipe out all partitions in the middle of the disk referenced by the secondary copy of GPT. But even ten-year-old USB 2.0 thumbdrives are written by FlashBoot in less than 11 minutes (at a size of 32 GB). Modern thumbdrives with USB 3.0 interface are written by FlashBoot even faster. Answering your question, I suppose that your first USB thumbdrive was worn-out, and the second one was fine.

> Trying to use a micro-sd-card with an usb-adapter did not create a usable boot usb-stick. Is this typical?

It's atypical. Micro-SD cards via USB adapter should work just as good as regular USB sticks.

PrimeExpert Software - Jun 17 2020 at 7:19am Copy Link

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Kathryn User I have waited over half an hour and cannot download the full software as it says 'Order flashboot-pro.zip does not exist in our database'. Now what?

Sep 22 2020 at 5:32am Copy Link

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Kathryn User I paid for this software 45 minutes ago and I still am unable to download the full version, it says 'Order flashboot-pro.zip does not exist in our database'. Incidentally this is the third time I have reported this problem and my comments are not coming showing.

Sep 22 2020 at 5:38am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Kathryn User: I've just checked private download link for your order and sent it to you via e-mail. Usually such e-mails are generated and sent automatically but maybe this time it got filtered as spam. Please sorry for the inconvenience.

PrimeExpert Software - Sep 22 2020 at 5:46am Copy Link

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Jerry Neal After installing it still was the free version.
I did not receive a license key.

Sep 22 2020 at 8:03pm Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Jerry Neal: I've just downloaded setup EXE file for FlashBoot Pro from order result URL corresponding to your order, verified that it works as expected and sent this link to your e-mail address. Please check your inbox.

PrimeExpert Software - Sep 23 2020 at 1:27am Copy Link

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Jerry Neal I have not received an email with the downloaded EXE file for FlashBoot Pro.

Jerry Neal

nealdog

charter.net

Sep 23 2020 at 9:58am Copy Link

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Jerry Neal Thanks! I got the link in the email and it worked. I now have FlashBoot Pro.

Sep 23 2020 at 11:01am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Jerry Neal: I've just resent a message with your order result URL to your e-mail address, and also asked Constantin Florea (BitsDuJour accounts administrator) to help you. Is there any other way to contact you, besides nealdog@charter.net?

PrimeExpert Software - Sep 23 2020 at 11:02am Copy Link

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Gary User does this only work on a thumb drive? I keep my win 10 os a separate drive but it uses up 280 gbs, so I'd need a 512 gb thumb drive, which is way to expenses. Will it work the same with a usb harddrive?

Sep 23 2020 at 1:41pm Copy Link

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Gary User I just realized that I had already purchased this. I downloaded the update and installed, but when I tried to make a bootable clone of the Win 10 os drive I got this:

... User confirmed FIXED disk format for target USB device

*** ERROR ***
Can't create FAT filesystem on partition #1 of physical disk #5 (I:): device is too big, too small or cluster size constraint can't be accomplished

The device is a 1.82gb USB 3.0 hard drive. Here is the log of the setup:

Scenario:
     Create bootable clone of Windows 8.1/10 (for UEFI-based computers)

Data source:
     System drive C:

Clone without compression

Target:
     USB storage device: I: 1.81 TB TOSHIBA External USB 3.0 [FIXED]
     Filesystem: NTFS
     Volume label: WIN10_TOGO
     Unallocated space at the end of the disk: 0

I noticed that the default label ie "Win10_TOGO" - but i thought that windows togo was terminated with the recent 2004 version. If flashboot is dependent on win togo, then I don't think it will work.

Sep 23 2020 at 2:01pm Copy Link

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BlackOpz Just tried to buy with 5 hours left into the extended time. Sales page says 'coupon finish date is in the past'.

--
The coupon has some errors!
Coupon finish date is in the past

Sep 23 2020 at 6:55pm Copy Link

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Jonathan Prusky I have the same problem as BlockOpz. Coupon is expired. The company did NOT honor the 1 day extension.

Sep 23 2020 at 11:18pm Copy Link

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Lui Bob @Mikhail
I've got the same problem as BlockOpz and Jonathan. :(

Sep 23 2020 at 11:53pm Copy Link

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Kelly Hamblin So, I'd really like to take advantage of this offer, but why do they need my home address?

Jan 6 2021 at 8:36am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Kelly Hamblin:

This data is collected by our payment processor PayPro Global to establish legal identity of licensee (who bought license to our software product), for anti-fraud reasons (to ensure that you are not buying this software using e.g. stolen credit card), and for taxation/accounting reasons (e.g. in United States sales tax rate may depend not only on customer's 5-digit ZIP code, but on extended 9-digit ZIP code; and so, because many customers don't know their extended 9-digit ZIP codes, trailing 4 digits are derived from the customer's street address).

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 6 2021 at 9:52am Copy Link

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Kelly Hamblin There is no sales tax on downloaded software in the U.S. So, maybe I am misunderstanding. Are purchasers of Flash Boot sent a thumb drive containing the software?

Jan 6 2021 at 11:39am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Kelly Hamblin:

FlashBoot is delivered electronically (download link is sent to your e-mail address). USB thumbdrives are not shipped by regular mail. Your street address becomes a part of your license key for the software, and is not used in any other way on our side (in particular, we don't sell or give away this data to the third parties). Our payment processor (PayPro Global) may use this data for anti fraud and accounting purposes, you may ask them directly about futher details: https://payproglobal.com/contact/

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 6 2021 at 11:58am Copy Link

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Nico Westerdale Great News! PrimeExpert Software has agreed to extend this deal for another day - Enjoy!

BitsDuJour Admin - Jan 7 2021 at 12:11am Copy Link

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Greg Newell I own this software. I could never get it to work reliably and when the time came to actually use the flash boot drive that was created from this software it failed. I would not trust it as a reliable backup of your system.

Jan 7 2021 at 4:57am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Greg Newell:

Don't spread FUD. It works reliably in our tests and for other users. You've likely used unreliable hardware (e.g. USB thumbdrive). If you believe the software is to blame, please report the full sequence of steps for problem reproduction (including exact version numbers of third party software) to flashboot@prime-expert.com .

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 7 2021 at 5:08am Copy Link

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Greg Newell @ Mikhail. Not trying to get into a pissing match. Just my experience with the software. I used brand new flash drives that I bought for the specific purpose. I did report the problem and the follow-up after the sale was sort of like your response here... finger pointing. I was using Flashboot-3.2w-pro.

Jan 7 2021 at 5:16am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Greg Newell: We did not receive any error reports or logs from you, neither then nor now, so we can't even start to reproduce your problem in our environment, and so we consider this as a defamation/trolling campaign.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 7 2021 at 5:39am Copy Link

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Adam P I've owned the software for a few years, but never actually used it yet. When creating the bootable clone, can you tell it what not to include or not include (like Steam games that take up a lot of space)? And can you include files from multiple partitions, or only c?

Jan 7 2021 at 7:13am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Adam P: Capture as much as you can (i.e. include all files on disk C: if your USB thumbdrive is large enough). By default, all files and folders are included.

If you have smaller capacity USB thumbdrive, you can still make a clone by choosing which files and folders to omit. This feature is meant to skip large data files (e.g. downloaded videos). Operating system files (which depend heavily on correct NTFS permissions, alternate data streams, NTFS junctions etc) must be captured into the clone in the full state, because otherwise cloned OS may not boot from USB thumbdrive. The rest (regular data files) may be added later as needed.

But as I said earlier, it's best to capture everything if you have USB storage device with large enough capacity.

PrimeExpert Software - Jan 7 2021 at 7:49am Copy Link

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Greg Newell @ Mikhail
Yup... shoot the messenger. I don't write software and have no skin in this game and frankly don't give your company much thought. I saw this come across my desk and submitted a FACTUAL account of the experience I had with the software. Good luck with that attitude.. I'm sure you'll go far. Here's my order number for your records: Order ID: PRI191217-8537-82120. The flash drive I used was a SanDisk Ultra Fit 128GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive (SDCZ43-128G-GAM46). Bought it off Amazon. Whether it was the software or the Flash Drive, the combination never worked and I gave up. The flash drive is now used for data backup and for that purpose works perfectly (indicating that there seems to be nothing wrong with the hardware). Have a good one.

Jan 7 2021 at 8:23am Copy Link

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Paul User I wanted to purchase this but after reading the vendor's responses to both Kelly Hamblin and Greg Newell I will steer well clear. They didn't answer valid questions and displayed a shocking attitude to customer service.

Jan 7 2021 at 1:12pm Copy Link

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Louis H Was going to pick this up, but after the response of the Vendor to Mr. Newell, have decided to pass. Just not the kind of response I'm willing to accept from a business I give my money to.

Jan 7 2021 at 9:14pm Copy Link

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Kenneth Bates What is the difference between the free and paid versions?
>
>
>
Sorry! I found the comparison chart. Quite a few extras is the answer.

Dec 9 2021 at 12:58pm Copy Link

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Nico Westerdale Great News! PrimeExpert Software has agreed to extend this deal for another day - Enjoy!

BitsDuJour Admin - Dec 10 2021 at 12:11am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Kenneth Bates:

There's quite a lot of difference between FlashBoot Free and Pro (bootable clones, installable clones, driver slipstreaming and more):

https://www.prime-expert....ree_vs_pro

PrimeExpert Software - Dec 10 2021 at 12:55am Copy Link

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Brian W Is it possible to use encryption? Whether (1) AES hardware encrypted thumb drive/msata/nvme/hdd or (2) using Windows BitLocker.

I'm interested in creating a bootable clone of a win10/11 installation. If the source OS drive has BitLocker software encryption, I assume that the USB clone will not be but can one then boot from that clone and turn on BitLocker encryption? Will it then boot normally?

[Note to past comments that say we can create a bootable window disk for free with other sources, my brief search only found one other program (paid) for cloning a Windows Pro OS to USB. (There is one that can do it free for Win Home.) Several programs can create a fresh Win install but then you have to install drivers, software etc. rather than grabbing a copy of your current Win OS before, for example, travelling where you don't want to lug a computer but might want to be able to run something.]

May 17 2022 at 6:18am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik Yes, you're right: When you make a bootable clone of Windows 8.x/10/11 that had been encrypted with BitLocker on SSD or HDD, this clone on the USB storage device is not initially encrypted (but BitLocker encryption of bootable USB storage device can be manually enabled later). USB storage device will boot fine (both before encryption is enabled and after encryption is enabled), but given that Windows 10/11 tends to store BitLocker decryption keys in the TPM chip (which is part of the motherboard, not the USB thumbdrive, and thus non-portable), I think the proper approach to encrypt a portable version of Windows is to use a USB thumbdrive with hardware AES encryption instead of BitLocker (unless you explicitly want the encrypted OS clone on the USB thumbdrive to boot only on the original PC).

PrimeExpert Software - May 17 2022 at 6:51am Copy Link

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Mario If I have OEM MS Windows, is it possible to install it on any new hardware?

May 17 2022 at 7:08am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Mario: Technically, OEM copy of Windows can be transferred to another PC via USB thumbdrive using FlashBoot feature "installable clones", and it will boot, but most likely activation will be reset, and Windows will require another/different product key to activate (due to the absense of MSDM ACPI table and because of changed MAC address of network controller).

Non-OEM copies of Windows (when Windows didn't come preinstalled with hardware, when you bought the product key for Windows, and so product key is not in the MSDM ACPI table) can be reactivated after the reinstallation using the same product key as on the original PC.

Basically, the rules are the same as if you moved internal bootable SSD with of a copy Windows from an old to a new PC.

PrimeExpert Software - May 17 2022 at 7:23am Copy Link

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Rob User when trying the trial version it is asking me for a source file from IDO ir CD, don't have any. The OS came installed on my dell laptop. What do I do?

May 17 2022 at 4:01pm Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Rob User: You can download Windows Setup ISO file (corresponding to your language, edition, version number, and target CPU architecture) using Microsoft Media Creation Tool. Alternatively, you can use FlashBoot scenarios which do not require any source ISO file or source DVD disc (such as installable clones and bootable clones).

PrimeExpert Software - May 18 2022 at 1:05am Copy Link

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Jim Hilton Hi, thinking back to the Norton Ghost days, can this software with an absolute minimum of fuss "clone"/make a copy/duplicate another harddrive?

EG if I burn this software to a CD and then boot from the CD, can it read the "C" drive in the computer and "duplicate" it to a drive of the same or greater size that is in a USB-C drive caddy?

Thanks!

Jim

May 18 2022 at 6:28am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Jim Hilton: This software (FlashBoot) clones currently running OS (disk C: and everything necessary to boot it up, e.g. parts of loader and BCD registry hive living in the EFI system partition). Live CD/DVD/USB with separate OS is not required to run FlashBoot, you run it just as a normal software under the main OS you are going to backup. This applies both to bootable and installable clones. Resulting USB thumbdrive is bootable, it contains both saved partition data, and bootable code which is necessary to restore this data (installable clone) or to boot the OS directly from USB (bootable clone). Remember self-extracting archives, which, unlike normal ZIP or RAR files, contain not only your data but also the code to unpack it (all wrapped up into a single EXE file)? This is the similar thing but with USB thumbdrives.

If you want Norton Ghost-like experience, i.e. software which boots from CD or USB, runs externally outside of the main OS, allows to choose which partitions on which disks are going to the backup, where resulting image file(s) should be stored, how they should be compressed (fast vs better compression ratio), et cetera - next week we will be promoting at Bits Du Jour another our software called Emergency Boot Kit, which has exactly this feature (Partition Manager) with exactly this Norton Ghost-like experience.

PrimeExpert Software - May 18 2022 at 8:15am Copy Link

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bsr007 Hi Mikhail Kupchik. When cloning an existing Windows 11 C drive to make a bootable external SSD drive copy, does Flashboot add/modify the existing Windows 11 OS in any way? Also when using the created bootable external drive (installed with Windows 11) does it add anything to the computer it is plugged into? (This relates to using the created bootable drive in the work environment). Thanks for your help.

May 18 2022 at 4:31pm Copy Link

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Brian W Should I be able to create a bootable USB HDD/SDD/NVME drive? I bought the program. It gave a warning that it was an HDD and continued but booting from the resulting drive failed. Is it likely my setup or a limitation of the program?

(Currently, I don't have a large enough thumb drive but will buy one.)

May 18 2022 at 5:45pm Copy Link

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Jim Hilton " and even copy from partition to partition!" Bingo! this is what I want. it appears I already have embootkit-1.6g-full-version but if there is a newer version, I'll snag that.

Thanks!!

May 18 2022 at 6:35pm Copy Link

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Adrian Williams Why does the formatting part take sooooo long ??
I'm trying to clone my windows 11 system to an NVME external drive using usb C and the formatting is looking like its going to take 2 hours to do 120GB of data.

Sep 14 2022 at 3:38am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Adrian Williams: For installable clones, contents of all files on the system disk are compressed (including alternate data streams and NTFS metadata). That might take some time, depending on CPU capabilities. Compressing 120 Gb of data with WinRAR or 7-Zip also takes about 2 hours on that CPU, isn't it? This is because compression is CPU-bound, not I/O-bound, so NVMe-vs-SATA thing does not really make a difference.

Also an old, worn out USB drive can be a bottleneck when writing compressed data, but this situation is much less common these days (compared to 3-5 years ago). Modern USB thumbdrives are usually quite fast.

PrimeExpert Software - Sep 14 2022 at 3:51am Copy Link

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Adrian Williams Thanks Mikhail.
My laptop is no slouch. Its an i7 11th Gen with 16GB Ram and NVME internal drive. Thanks for the quick reply. I'll have to be patient. For info, Flashboot is using less than 3% CPU and disk writing is 10MB/sec according to Task manager. There's plenty of capacity left unused.

Sep 14 2022 at 3:59am Copy Link

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Ricky Rick @ Mikhail Kupchik

Will FlashBoot in any way interfere with Acronis True Image just by mere fact of having Acronis installed on my OS -- will the two programs somehow clash and cause problems?

I like the idea of being able to put my whole Win 10 OS on a Flash Drive and being able to carry it around and use it on a friend's/stranger's PC -- but -- if by doing so -- would it also leave tracks behind on the friend's/stranger's PC?

Thanks
Ricky Rick

Sep 14 2022 at 6:35am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Ricky Rick:

FlashBoot will not interfere with Acronis True Image, because it acts in a different way. When taking snapshots of a running system, Acronis employs its own disk I/O filter driver (initially motivated by compatibility with Windows XP, later because of other reasons). FlashBoot does not install any drivers to the OS where it runs, and also does not use any third-party disk I/O filter drivers (such as Acronis), instead it relies upon builtin Windows mechanism for creating consistent snapshots of a running system called Volume Snadow Copy. So our software acts in a different way, and definitely won't clash with Acronis tools.

Regarding your second question: yes, absolutely. Bootable clone (full OS running from USB storage device) won't leave any tracks or traces on the internal HDD/SSD of the host PC, it does not require a Windows OS to be installed on the internal HDD/SSD on the host PC (your friend may prefer Linux, that's OK), it even does not even require host PC to have any internal HDD or SSD. A USB port is enough to run the bootable clone from the USB thumbdrive.

PrimeExpert Software - Sep 14 2022 at 7:22am Copy Link

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Ricky Rick @ Mikhail Kupchik

Mikhail - thanks for your fast reply ... I will be buying FlashBoot right now.

It is easy to see in the comments/conversation section that you really care about your customers and potential customers. It instills trust - and more sales.

We need developers aren't like you!

Thank you
Ricky Rick

Sep 14 2022 at 7:39am Copy Link

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Ricky Rick @ Mikhail Kupchik

FYI

After purchase - on the page where I could download - each of the links when clicked-on went to a page that said:

NOT FOUND

Order flashboot-pro.zip does not exist in our database. If you just made a new order for FlashBoot, refresh this page after a minute or so.

NOTE: I use "Brave Browser - so - I tried Internet Explorer and only then did the link work and I was able to download. Apparently the download link will not work with certain browsers.

Ricky Rick

Sep 14 2022 at 8:15am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Ricky Rick: Sorry for inconvenience, in a few minutes I will send you a download link with your order result via e-mail.

If anyone else is getting the similar error, please let me know via flashboot@prime-expert.com

PrimeExpert Software - Sep 14 2022 at 8:21am Copy Link

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Christopher J. Spilker Hi, I, too, had trouble downloading the file. HOWEVER, I may have gotten a hint of the issue, I always rename files to be downloaded before downloading {my modus operandi}. On another attempt, I left the original file name intact. Once downloaded, I changed the name and executed the file. It worked! I am not saying this is the cure, it is just what I experienced. Your mileage may vary :-)

Sep 14 2022 at 2:11pm Copy Link

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Noson User Great software and great UI, but it is very much hardware dependant. On my surface 3, booting up a win7 iso patched with flashboot throws a
0x000000a5 error.

Sep 14 2022 at 3:12pm Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Noson User: On my Surface Pro 5 I've encountered the same error too (BSoD with error code 0x000000A5) when installing Windows 7, this is caused by firmware of this device (firmware ACPI tables are not parseable by builtin driver ACPI.SYS of Windows 7).

Nevertheless, I've managed to install Windows 7 to my Surface Pro 5.

FlashBoot Pro has an option to patch UEFI Loader of the Windows 7 (for compatibility with new computers which have no VGA hardware), and that patched UEFI loader (besides providing VGA hardware emulation) has an undocumented feature: it reads a file \EFI\Boot\ACPITABL.DAT with ACPI override tables from the partition it boots from (i.e. EFI System Partition on the internal SSD). ACPI override tables are resident in RAM only, and they are forgotten upon the next reboot of your computer.

In many cases (including Surface Pro) it's possible to prepare ACPI override tables which allow installation of Windows 7 to devices with incompatible BIOS. This is a non-portable, unique per-device solution, because ACPI tables differ from device to device (rarely needed, only if Windows 7 setup throws ACPI_BIOS_ERROR BSoD during Setup), but we managed to solve this problem for about a dozen users of FlashBoot Pro users who encountered it. Actually, this BSoD 0xA5 is quite rare, but Microsoft Surfaces are all Windows 7 incompatible (deliberately), down to the first version of this hardware released in 2013.

Please contact me privately via flashboot@prime-expert.com and I will provide you a guide how to make a dump of ACPI tables of your tablet.

PrimeExpert Software - Sep 14 2022 at 3:35pm Copy Link

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Thomas Duntze Hello Mikhail,
Please answer the following questions as I did not found answers by (quickly) browsing the manual:
1. Do I need ONE USB-Stick each for every OS (granted, a complete System will fill any stick), but XP, W7 and 8.1 could come in handy in a multiboot menu.
2 Creating a clone of OS.
Do I have to start the process from the OS or can I direct FlashBoot to use a certain partition. Example: I run W10 and want to fully clone 8.1. Can I do that or do I have to start 8.1 and run FlashBoot from there?
3. If I buy todays license, can I use it for the portable version, too?
Thanks for reading
Best from Berlin
Thomas

Feb 7 at 1:22am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Thomas Duntze:

1. Currently multiboot is not supported. This is due to different partitioning requirements of different operating systems (for example: Windows 8.1/10/11 in UEFI mode requires GPT layout and FAT32 filesystem, Windows Vista needs MBR layout and either FAT32 or NTFS, and Windows XP requires MBR layout, then either FAT32 or FAT16, and finally FAT16 encapsulated in a separate A:-mapped image file no larger than 1GB). There's no way to satisfy these different OS requirements simultaneously, but we consider partial multiboot support for the future versions of our software. Please vote in FlashBoot Next Feature Poll if you consider this feature important: https://www.prime-expert....boot/poll/

2. FlashBoot Pro always creates installable or bootable clone of the OS it currently runs on, so in the dual-boot configuration of Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 you need to run FlashBoot Pro on Windows 8.1 to create clone of Windows 8.1 and you need to run FlashBoot Pro on Windows 10 to create clone of Windows 10. Single license key is sufficient, you don't need to pay extra for dual-boot support.

3. Yes, the same license key works for mainstream installable version and for portable version of FlashBoot. After your order for our software, we provide two links: first one is FlashBoot Pro with your license key embedded to an installer of the software, and second one is your license key as a separate XML file for use with portable version of FlashBoot. No online activation required, mere presence of this file is enough to enable Pro features of the software.

PrimeExpert Software - Feb 7 at 1:44am Copy Link

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Thomas Duntze Thanks for the fast and comprehensive answer. Best. Thomas

Feb 7 at 1:51am Copy Link

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Rob Nolan I realize the answer to my question would vary depending on what's the usage size of my C:/ drive, what size USB drive do you recommend to use for the boot stick. The same size as the used data space on the C:/ drive?

Feb 7 at 3:48am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Rob Nolan:

For bootable clones: yes, minimum size of USB thumbdrive is the same as allocated space on disk C:. Plus small spare for extra files you might want to add later.

For installable clones: due to compression, half of the allocated space on disk C: is usually sufficient.

But the rule of thumb is: "The more, the better".

PrimeExpert Software - Feb 7 at 4:00am Copy Link

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Rob Nolan Does this transfer the registry too?

Feb 7 at 4:01am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Bob Nolan: Yes, the entire registry state (all registry hives) is included to the clone. This applies to both bootable and to installable clones. FlashBoot also makes necessary adjustments to the cloned registry (e.g. disk C: is remapped to the USB thumbdrive from its original location on the internal HDD/SSD). Original registry is left unchanged.

PrimeExpert Software - Feb 7 at 4:16am Copy Link

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Rob Nolan Thanks! Which option also copies all the programs and data files?

Feb 7 at 5:19am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Rob Nolan: By default, all the programs and data files are included to the clone (all checkboxes are ticked). But you may untick some of them to fit system image into the small capacity USB thumbdrive, or to skip some unnecessary/large files like videos etc. See screenshot 4 on this page: https://www.prime-expert....f-windows/ or on this page: https://www.prime-expert....ndows-8.1/

PrimeExpert Software - Feb 7 at 5:28am Copy Link

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Thomas Duntze I recommend to anyone interested in the offer to browse the manual. It is exhaustive, has many screenshots and answers almost all questions - except maybe very special ones.

Feb 7 at 5:28am Copy Link

2

Tom Treet All i have recieved after making payment is a receipt for the payment and no links to software or licence

Feb 7 at 10:49am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Tom Treet: Please tell me your order ID (privately via flashboot@prime-expert.com) and I will resend order result URLs to you (if your payment got through). Maybe automatically generated e-mail with these URLs got filtered as spam or delayed because our payment processing partner (PayPro Global) is still verifying your payment.

PrimeExpert Software - Feb 7 at 10:59am Copy Link

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Tom Treet Thanks Mikhail .. there was a short delay in delivery and had to reconfigure some of my own mail filtering too, all good now

Feb 7 at 1:52pm Copy Link

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Nico Westerdale Great News! PrimeExpert Software has agreed to extend this deal for another day - Enjoy!

BitsDuJour Admin - Feb 8 at 12:11am Copy Link

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Eros User I have 2 questions that I would like answered: Lately I've been having problems booting up my computer. I use Win 7 OS and sometimes at bootup I get the message: No bootable devices found.....Eventually the computer does boot up but it may take several attemps. My questions are:
1. Will this software allow me to create a bootable USB drive to boot up my computer when this happens?
2. I have over 500 GB of files in my computer. Is it possible to put all the info on one USB file? Because if it's possible and it can also be used to boot up my computer should it fail, I would rather do that. I apologize for these silly newbie questions but I'm really new at this. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Feb 8 at 1:07am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Eros User:

"No bootable devices found" error which you are occasionally getting from the firmware of your computer (BIOS or UEFI) is quite serious, it indicates that bootable internal storage device (HDD or SSD) currently turns on every once in a while, and is likely to fail soon. I recommend not to wait until HDD or SSD finally fails and drowns all your data, but replace the unreliable hardware proactively.

If you keep all your files on disk C:, FlashBoot can create an installable clone of Windows 7 to reinstall your OS, including apps and data, later — to the new HDD or SSD. If you have additional non-bootable data partitions like D:, E: etc, then you also need to backup your files manually (e.g. via Windows Explorer). Yes, FlashBoot can handle 500 GB installable clone if USB storage device is large enough (USB HDD or USB SSD). It will take some time to compress all this data, but that's manageable.

So, if you have a large USB storage device lying around (at least 300-400 GB), then it is a good idea to backup everything using FlashBoot Pro right now. Otherwise, I recommend buying a new internal HDD or SSD for this money as soon as possible and transferring all partitions from old internal storage device to a new one (while old one still works), without saving all this data to a USB storage device. For this purpose, you may buy our another software, Emergency Boot Kit, which will be on discounted sale on Bits Du Jour next week. There are also some free alternatives, like CloneZilla, which have some limitations, but they are good enough for your purpose if you replace or old storage device with a new same capacity storage device (or just a slightly larger).

Regarding bootable clone feature in FlashBoot (to boot your existing OS in the current state directly from USB SSD without installation to an internal storage device), that one is supported for Windows 8 onwards only.

PrimeExpert Software - Feb 8 at 1:36am Copy Link

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Ricky Rick @ Mikhail Kupchik

I already bought Flashboot last time on BDJ but haven't used it yet. Now I want to use it and have a few questions.

Numbered to make it easier (I hope) to answer with a 1, 2, 3, 4 ...

1). I have a 512 GB Flashdrive USB 3.2. I formatted it to an NTFS File System. Is that OK or do I need to Reformat/Restore it back to FAT32 or exFAT32? I would being doing an "Installable" Clone of Windows 10 for UEFI-based computers.

2). Is FlashBoot similar to or work pretty much the same as an Imaging Program like Acronis True Image? (I have Acronis - but bought FlashBoot as extra backup security)

3). Since I would be able to either make an exact duplicate of my Win 10 OS for install onto the same OS I'm copying/cloning from or onto to a New OS with dissimilar hardware in case of Virus etc -- or I could make a copy of my Win 10 OS and run it strictly from the USB on any Windows OS with the USB acting as a PC ...

... WHAT IF -- I lost the USB with my entire Windows 10 System and all files etc. Would not the finder be able to gain access to all my files and personal info -- or -- when they plugged in my USB with the Clone (Imaged OS) -- or -- the "Run my OS from the USB on any Windows PC" -- would the Clone be automatically protected by Logon Protection I already have implemented on my OS?

4). Even if the answer to number 3 is: "yes, you'll be protected by the logon protection you already have implemented" -- could I use another program on the USB which would allow me to encrypt the USB or Hide all the contents of the clone inside a Hidden Folder that needed a special procedure and password to un-hide? or would using an Encryption or Hidden Folder type program on the USB mess up the whole FlashBoot process?

Thanks
Ricky Rick

Feb 8 at 6:57am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Ricky Rick:

1) FlashBoot will create GPT layout and FAT32 filesystem itself, on the target USB storage device, when formatting it for Installable Clone in the UEFI mode. In the BIOS mode there will be MBR layout and FAT32 filesystem, other formatting scenarios have other layouts and filesystems, all of this is handled by FlashBoot automatically. In any case, there's no need to prepare USB storage device for FlashBoot in advance.

2) Installable clones are related to Acronis True Image backup files as self-extracting EXE files are related to the ordinary ZIP files. FlashBoot's installable clones are bootable and executable, they can restore themselves. Acronis True Image backup files are just data files, and require software (e.g. Acronis True Image) to restore them.

Besides that:
- FlashBoot's Installable Clones can be restored to a dissimilar hardware
- If FlashBoot's Installable Clone is restored alongside of an existing OS, then a dual-boot configuration will be automatically established (i.e. all necessary entries will be automatically added to the BCD hive in the EFI system partition, and bootloader will ask which OS to boot each time you power up or reboot your computer)
- You can restore an Installable Clone to a smaller partition than original one
- Also you can convert an existing OS installation between UEFI and non-UEFI (BIOS/CSM) boot methods using FlashBoot's Installable Clones
So, we believe that FlashBoot's Installable Clones is a more powerful feature in comparison to a third party disk imaging tools.

Also, besides Installable Clones, FlashBoot has many other features, e.g. Bootable Clones, aiding in installation of Windows 7 to the modern hardware (see full description above).

3&4) Logon Protection (you've already implemented) will still work, but FlashBoot Pro will not add any extra layers of protection (such as full-disk encryption for your data, asking for password at boot time etc). Third party software to hide folders may mess with Windows boot process, so it's not recommended. Of course, you may use it if it works for internal disk C:.

But if you need true security, I recommend using a USB stick with hardware AES encryption (where the key is entered via a dedicated keypad on the USB stick). Hardware encryption will not interfere with UEFI/BIOS boot process (the boot code and data will be decrypted before UEFI/BIOS reads it), and such a system will distinguish a friend from a foe by the knowledge (or lack thereof) of the encryption key, rather than by some obscure folder hiding trickery. Purely software based encryption schemes are less secure: they are vulnerable to executable code replacement attacks, keylogging etc.

PrimeExpert Software - Feb 8 at 7:43am Copy Link

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Ricky Rick @ Mikhail Kupchik

Wow - Super fasssssssst response. THANKS!!!

So much appreciate your in depth answer. I now have the info I need to move ahead.

I will look into the: USB sticks with hardware AES encryption (where the key is entered via a dedicated keypad on the USB stick) -- actually I did run across something like that on Amazon the other day but didn't give it any mind.

Again, Mikhail, Thank you very much for responding so quickly with what I needed to know.

Ricky Rick

Feb 8 at 8:04am Copy Link

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J S Dear Mikhail Kupchik,

Just a Heads Up back to the PLiMUS e-Commerce Days 2012.

I Originally Purchased Emergency Boot Kit (CD Version from Memory) back in 2012 and I requested a Personal Trial version of FlashBoot Pro, but there was a License NAME problem, which I left my brother to fix as I was in a back accident and in hospital for months. I cant get a hold of my brother at the moment but I don't think the problem was ever sorted out (so i don't eve have a working version of EBK.

I think you sent me a email Attached Form for both programs Full & Personal Trial) to have the correct License Name's on them.

I'm about to buy today's FlashBoot Pro OFFER and I'll try to contact you in the next day or so to sort out the naming mess for Both Programs.

Cheers,

J S

Feb 8 at 11:42pm Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik Developer is here, happy to answer your questions about the software, if any.

PrimeExpert Software - Jun 21 at 12:55am Copy Link

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matjz User i did purchase this app years ago (!) and can confirm that this app is activly developing and developer respond every time i contact him.

Jun 21 at 5:00am Copy Link

1

Jim Hilton Hi, i've got an older HP Laptop with windows 8.0 on it. I attempted to clone it some time ago with another piece of software and it worked but it did not copy the "recovery partition".

Can this software do that? like clone the whole drive lock stock and barrel?

Thanks!

Jun 21 at 11:08am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Jim Hilton: If you need to clone whole HDD or SSD verbatim, including all partitions, preferrably to the same-sized storage device (or slightly larger), then we have another product for that purpose: Emergency Boot Kit:
https://www.bitsdujour.co...y-boot-kit
See relevant section of its User Guide:
https://embootkit-v1.prim...on_mgr.pdf

FlashBoot Pro (in installable clones scenario) will clone Windows system partition (i.e. disk C:) and Windows Recovery (recovery environment from Microsoft, stored inside WinRe.WIM file usually located somewhere in the EFI System Partition, System Reserved Partition for BIOS-based systems or on disk C: after in-place upgrade from the previous versions of Windows). However FlashBoot Pro (in installable clones scenario) will not clone vendor-specific recovery partitions (such as HP recovery partition, Dell recovery partition etc). However, installable clones of FlashBoot Pro are more flexible: they support restoring to the smaller-capacity storage device, skipping some files and folders (as chosen by user) during cloning, taking an installable clone in UEFI mode and restoring in non-UEFI mode (and vice versa), restoring alongside of existing OS with automatic creation of dual-boot configurations, restoring to the dissimilar hardware with instant driver slipstreaming etc.

PrimeExpert Software - Jun 21 at 11:35am Copy Link

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Wayne Lewis Would this also allow me to clone a virtual machine by installing it on there and then to a Physical machine.

Jun 22 at 4:12am Copy Link

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Mikhail Kupchik @Wayne Lewis: Yes, you can clone virtual machine to physical machine using FlashBoot Pro. Also you can clone in the reverse direction (physical machine to VM) and between VMs (for example, VirtualBox <-> VMware). VM hypervisor software must support USB device passthrough (VirtualBox, VMware and QEMU have this feature). For some types of such migrations, it may be necessary to slipstream paravirtual SCSI drivers for bootable storage device after restoring Windows OS image, FlashBoot Pro supports this feature.

PrimeExpert Software - Jun 22 at 5:10am Copy Link

1

Virus Program	Result	Scan Date
Bkav (v 2.0.0.1)	Suspicious W32.AIDetectMalware	9/3/2023
Lionic (v 7.5)	Clean	9/4/2023
tehtris (v v0.1.4)	Clean	9/4/2023
MicroWorld-eScan (v 14.0.409.0)	Clean	9/3/2023
FireEye (v 35.24.1.0)	Clean	9/3/2023
CAT-QuickHeal (v 22.00)	Clean	9/3/2023
ALYac (v 1.1.3.1)	Clean	9/3/2023
Cylance (v 2.0.0.0)	Clean	8/30/2023
Zillya (v 2.0.0.4948)	Clean	9/1/2023
K7AntiVirus (v 12.112.49480)	Clean	9/4/2023
Alibaba (v 0.3.0.5)	Clean	5/27/2019
K7GW (v 12.112.49480)	Clean	9/4/2023
CrowdStrike (v 1.0)	Clean	8/12/2022
BitDefenderTheta (v 7.2.37796.0)	Clean	8/28/2023
VirIT (v 9.5.526)	Clean	9/1/2023
Cyren (v 6.5.1.2)	Clean	9/3/2023
Symantec (v 1.20.0.0)	Clean	9/3/2023
Elastic (v 4.0.105)	Clean	8/30/2023
ESET-NOD32 (v 27848)	Clean	9/3/2023
APEX (v 6.450)	Clean	9/1/2023
Paloalto (v 0.9.0.1003)	Clean	9/4/2023
ClamAV (v 1.2.0.0)	Clean	9/3/2023
Kaspersky (v 22.0.1.28)	Clean	9/3/2023
BitDefender (v 7.2)	Clean	9/3/2023
NANO-Antivirus (v 1.0.146.25796)	Clean	9/3/2023
SUPERAntiSpyware (v 5.6.0.1032)	Clean	9/2/2023
Tencent (v 1.0.0.1)	Clean	9/4/2023
TACHYON (v 2023-09-04.01)	Clean	9/4/2023
Emsisoft (v 2022.6.0.32461)	Clean	9/3/2023
Baidu (v 1.0.0.2)	Clean	3/18/2019
F-Secure (v 18.10.1137.128)	Clean	9/4/2023
DrWeb (v 7.0.61.8090)	Clean	9/4/2023
VIPRE (v 6.0.0.35)	Clean	9/3/2023
McAfee-GW-Edition (v v2021.2.0+4045)	Clean	9/3/2023
Trapmine (v 4.0.14.90)	Clean	7/18/2023
CMC (v 2.4.2022.1)	Clean	8/22/2023
Sophos (v 2.3.1.0)	Clean	9/3/2023
SentinelOne (v 23.3.0.3)	Clean	7/5/2023
Jiangmin (v 16.0.100)	Clean	8/31/2023
Webroot (v 1.0.0.403)	Clean	9/4/2023
Avira (v 8.3.3.16)	Clean	9/3/2023
Antiy-AVL (v 3.0)	Clean	9/4/2023
Gridinsoft (v 1.0.136.174)	Clean	9/3/2023
Xcitium (v 35973)	Clean	9/3/2023
Arcabit (v 2022.0.0.18)	Clean	9/4/2023
ViRobot (v 2014.3.20.0)	Clean	9/3/2023
ZoneAlarm (v 1.0)	Clean	9/4/2023
GData (v A:25.36450B:27.33014)	Clean	9/3/2023
Google (v 1693792825)	Clean	9/4/2023
AhnLab-V3 (v 3.24.0.10447)	Clean	9/3/2023
Acronis (v 1.2.0.121)	Clean	8/28/2023
McAfee (v 6.0.6.653)	Clean	9/3/2023
MAX (v 2023.1.4.1)	Clean	9/4/2023
Malwarebytes (v 4.5.5.54)	Clean	9/3/2023
Zoner (v 2.2.2.0)	Clean	9/4/2023
TrendMicro-HouseCall (v 10.0.0.1040)	Clean	9/3/2023
Rising (v 25.0.0.27)	Clean	9/3/2023
Yandex (v 5.5.2.24)	Clean	9/3/2023
Ikarus (v 6.1.14.0)	Clean	9/3/2023
MaxSecure (v 1.0.0.1)	Clean	9/1/2023
Fortinet (v None)	Clean	8/30/2023
DeepInstinct (v 3.1.0.15)	Clean	8/31/2023

Virus Program	Result
CLEAN MX	Clean site
DNS8	Clean site
VX Vault	Clean site
ZDB Zeus	Clean site
Tencent	Clean site
MalwarePatrol	Clean site
Netcraft	Unrated site
PhishLabs	Unrated site
Zerofox	Clean site
K7AntiVirus	Clean site
Virusdie External Site Scan	Clean site
Spamhaus	Clean site
Quttera	Clean site
SCUMWARE.org	Clean site
MalwareDomainList	Clean site
ZeusTracker	Clean site
zvelo	Clean site
Google Safebrowsing	Clean site
Kaspersky	Clean site
BitDefender	Clean site
Dr.Web	Clean site
G-Data	Clean site
OpenPhish	Clean site
Malware Domain Blocklist	Clean site
CRDF	Clean site
Trustwave	Clean site
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