'Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool' will format entire USB drive (hard disc) or a specific partition?

Question

If the USB drive (which is a hard-disc) is partitioned into multiple drives, the 'Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool' will/need to format all of them or a specific drive (where the ISO file of windows will be copied to)?

Answer 1

No thats designed to be used with a pen drive, not a hard disk drive, and it will format the entire volume.



don't use that if you want to dual boot use Yumi, its far better than that MS tool, and works with windows too.

Answer 2

As far as I remember it formats the usb drive as it burns an image.

Make a backup of your files and test.

Btw if you have multiple partitions you may have boot issues depending on your bios features.

Answer 3

I think it will format the WHOLE USB/EHD.



Leaving just one partition.



I have two Dual boot USB's and a EHD.

1 USB is Windows 7 and XP.

2 USB is Just a mass of programs to fix pc's.

3 EHD has my backup images and acronis.



And i never compiled them with that tool.

(I used Winsetup for windows usb which uses customizable Grub4Dos)



1 partition.. Multiple folders for cleanliness.



Hope it helps :)