A: Years, but flash memory degrades. Recreate it every 12–24 months for reliability.
A: No – only during installation. You can skip entering it and still install (30-day trial).
Remember: Always back up any important data from the USB first, and verify your ISO file’s integrity before starting.
Despite Microsoft ending mainstream support for Windows 7 years ago, millions of users still rely on it for legacy hardware, industrial machines, specialized software, or personal preference. If you own an old netbook, a point-of-sale system, or simply want to dual-boot, a DVD drive is often unavailable or unreliable.
Introduction: Why a Bootable USB for Windows 7 Still Matters