Microsoft To Offer Windows 7 On USB Thumb Drives?

Barence writes "Microsoft is reportedly considering offering Windows 7 on USB thumb drives to allow netbook owners to upgrade their machines. Windows has, until now, only been distributed on DVDs or via download. However, netbooks don't have optical drives and the Windows 7 ISO weighs in at 2.3GB, which would take several hours to download on an average broadband connection and potentially do serious damage to a customer's broadband data cap."

It's Amazing

[eldavojohn]

It's amazing what kind of viruses you find on USB sticks these days!

And Microsoft chases OLPC once again [slashdot.org].

I encourage this trend

[chebucto]

The next step is to convince AOL to start sending out their software on thumb drives. Then we all win!

Windows Live Live Distro finally means something

[deanston]

Maybe MSFT can copy Linux and make it a live distro so people can try it out before full install... wait, that'll never make them bite. Nevermind.

Re:ROM drives possible?

[MillionthMonkey]

They'll probably just wire a standard flash chip shut with the same pin used for the write-protect switches that some of them come with. Then there will be some "hardhack" Slashdot story about someone who managed to put Ubuntu on an AOL or Microsoft flash chip after taking a soldering iron to it.

Re:Idiots.

[computerman413]

Whoever installs Windows 7 on a goddamn computer is a dumb, dumb motherfucker.

There, I fixed it for you.

If they were really on the ball

[stox]

They would offer Windows 7 in a convenient suppository.

Re:I encourage this trend

[JackieBrown]

Just put tape over the tab and you're good to go!