win 7 on usb?

is it possible to install windows 7 on a usb like a normal os?

WTF?  What is a "Normal OS?"   

As far as I know, pendrivelinux.com is the only site that really supports running any OS from a thumb drive.  A "Normal OS" is installed on a Hard Drive.

WTF?  What is a "Normal OS?"   

 

As far as I know, pendrivelinux.com is the only site that really supports running any OS from a thumb drive.  A "Normal OS" is installed on a Hard Drive.

I can boot linux from a USB, even windows installation.

Yes, "Normal OS" but instead of on a hard drive, on a usb, as an alternative.

You can install windows 7 on a solid state drive which is flash memory, so I see no reason why I cant install it on a usb?

You have already contradicted yourself by saying 'even windows installation'.  Doesn't this topic say "win 7 on usb"?  are you implying you have Windows =< XP running on a usb thumb drive?

And yes, while the technology of an SSD is *similar* to a USB thumb drive, I wouldnt go as far as to say it is the same thing. 

http://techchannel.r...e-ssd-2155.html

additionally: 

Mostly the interface. A USB flash drive uses USB, which is generally a slower interface than the Serial ATA interface. A USB flash drive is generally thought of as a removable device by the OS and is managed as such. A SSD is treated similarly to a hard drive, and is often recognized by your OS as a type of fixed disk.

I can boot linux from a USB, even windows installation.

Yes, "Normal OS" but instead of on a hard drive, on a usb, as an alternative.

You can install windows 7 on a solid state drive which is flash memory, so I see no reason why I cant install it on a usb?

Thumb drives and SSDs are not the same sort of memory. However, for future reference, the Windows to Go feature on 8 will let you run live disk/live usb. 

Nice.  I wasn't aware Windows 8 had that feature.  I guess I was hoping to use Win7 for 10 years like i did XP

Windows 8 is a really great OS, it's just the usability of it that causes problems. I think once they take everyone's input, 9 will be great. 

You can install Windows 7 from a USB drive. If you would like to use it in a portable environment you'd have to find software that does that for you.

Ubuntu on USB w/ Persistence + VirtualBox + Win7 = works.

Have you just been looking for ways to make this work?

heh no.  But i do have customers with outrageous demands.  Like demoing web applications from a standalone laptop.  used susestudio to make a nice boot screen w/ our product and scripted the DB and web servers to load at a run level just below 5, then added X window and a simple mozilla browser only.  All from a Boot Disc.  took a while to boot, but was pretty neat when it was done.