The Simplest Way to Create a Bootable Windows Server 2012 or Windows 8 USB Key

After I passed my VCP510-DV last week, I wanted to rebuild my Home Lab using Windows Server 2012 for the Storage part, instead of FreeNas.

Part of the rebuild, I needed to install Windows Server 2012 on top of the old FreeNas box. Hard task since I don't have a DVD player in the case... :-/

Hence, USB Boot it is...

I was surprise to see how easy it is to create a Bootable Windows Server 2012 (R1 or R2)/Windows 8/8.1 USB Key.

What do you need:

• Windows 7 USB/Download Tool (2MB)
• ISO of Windows Server 2012 or Windows 8 (Mine is from TechNet)

Once Installed, Launch Windows 7 USB/Download Tool

The first step is to select your ISO

Powershell - Get-USB

function Get-USB {
    <#
    .Synopsis
        Gets USB devices attached to the system
    .Description
        Uses WMI to get the USB Devices attached to the system
    .Example
        Get-USB
    .Example
        Get-USB | Group-Object Manufacturer  
    .Parameter ComputerName
        The name of the computer to get the USB devices from
    #>
    param($computerName = "localhost")
    Get-WmiObject Win32_USBControllerDevice -ComputerName $ComputerName `
        -Impersonation Impersonate -Authentication PacketPrivacy | 
        Foreach-Object { [Wmi]$_.Dependent }
}