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.

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Stephan Pringle

Technology Support Specialist at Sipylus

About The Author: Stephan Pringle is an Information Technology Support Specialist. He covers hardware and software and provides tips for you to troubleshoot and repair issues on your own. In his spare time, he writes articles about the State of New York on his Hackintosh and HackBook and that has helped him to become the top contributor of the New York City section of Yahoo! Answers.

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