Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool

[NICK ADSL UK]

Overview
When you purchase Windows 7 from Microsoft Store, you have the option to download an ISO file or compressed files. The Windows 7 USB/DVD Download tool allows you to create a copy of your Windows 7 ISO file on a USB flash drive or a DVD. To create a bootable DVD or USB flash drive, download the ISO file and then run the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download tool. Once this is done, you can install Windows 7 directly from the USB flash drive or DVD.

http://store.microsoft.com/Help/ISO-Tool

[LockBox]

I mentioned this in another thread and said that I'm surprised Microsoft doesn't have a retail version, off-the-shelf on a flash drive. I'm seeing more programs sold this way to accommodate the proliferation of netbooks. I wouldn't be surprised to see this soon from Microsoft.

At any rate, the downloadable iso direct from MS is a good move.

[NormanF]

What I'm surprised at is Microsoft's insistence on clinging to an outdated delivery system. With broadband, the OS can be downloaded in a few hours from the web with an iso/img package. There is no longer a compelling reason to prevent people from doing their own recording to DVDs/USB thumb drives. They didn't need to wait til this past Thursday to force most people to buy it in brick and mortar stores.

[JRViejo]

Microsoft pulls Windows 7 download tool (http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10394191-56.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20)
-{ Quote: "The software maker said on Tuesday that it has pulled down the Windows USB/DVD Tool while it investigates the issue, which was raised last week (http://www.withinwindows.com/2009/11/06/microsoft-lifts-gpl-code-uses-in-microsoft-store-tool/) by Windows blogger Rafael Rivera on his Within Windows blog (http://www.withinwindows.com/).

In his blog post, Rivera said Microsoft appears to use code from a tool called ImageMaster (http://imagemaster.codeplex.com/) that is licensed under the GPLv2 open-source license. The General Public License, like other open-source licenses, allows code to be freely used by others, but has its own set of terms and conditions, such as sharing any modifications made to the code.

Microsoft confirmed it has launched a review of the matter and taken the utility off its online Microsoft Store until that inquiry has been completed. " }-