When doing a fresh install of an Operating System to a device that lacked an optical drive, I am never worried as I have access to a USB3.0 Blu-Ray drive that I could connect to any available USB port on the computing device to boot and install the OS for the CD, DVD or Blu-Ray disc given.
The trouble came recently when I had a 4.8GB .ISO file of Windows Server 2016 that I needed to burn to a disc and it was naturally too big for a 700MB CD or the 4.7GB DVD that I had. Also, when I went to burn the .ISO image to Blu-Ray disc with Roxio Creator DE 10.3 the software (possibly my version) could not see my Blu-Ray discs.
Some of my associates says that I should use some dual layer DVD discs but I did not have any with me because dual layer DVD discs was something that I never needed before. Besides, I had Blu-Ray discs that holds up to 25GB each for larger storage and assumed that this would work.
As I looked at online reviews from previous owners of dual layer DVD discs, I narrowed it down to two brands. One for it’s reliability and the other for it’s low price. I added the items to my wishlist and decide I will wait a week to commit to both sets of dual layer DVD discs or just one.
As I continued to do hunting online, my research pointed me to the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool. With the tool, I was able to burn that large .ISO file to a small 8GB USB Flash drive. Instead of cloning discs now and in the future and risk them getting scratched, lost or stolen, I am making .ISO files and archive them on free online storage services then download the files for burning with the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool.
Note: If your drives are not compatible, use DISKPART from the Command Prompt.
Benefits of The Windows USB/DVD Download Tool
* Alternative to the DISKPART command.
* Boot without access to optical drives.
* Graphical User Interface and mouse interaction.
* No special commands to remember.
* Saves on optical drive repairs/replacement/upgrades.
Drawbacks of The Windows USB/DVD Download Tool
* Additional storage for the install.
* Compatibility with bargain USB Flash Drives.
* Internet Access to download the software.
* Not built-in to the Operating System.
Stephan Pringle
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