How to install Windows 7 on ZBOX Mini PCs with Intel Braswell or Skylake?

BI322 (64-bit)

BI323 (64-bit)

CI323nano (64-bit)

MI551 (32-bit/64-bit)

MI525 (32-bit/64-bit)

Installing Windows 7 32-bit/64-bit

In prior generations, PC systems had both xHCI and EHCI controllers. Intel removed the EHCI controller from Braswell and Skylake platforms which made installation of Windows 7 more difficult on these platforms. Windows 8 and 10 currently do not have any issues for a fresh OS installation via xHCI controller, but Windows 7 does not natively support xHCI controller and relies on manual installation of the Intel's xHCI driver.

Before proceeding, confirm whether or not that the ZBOX Mini PC can support Windows 7 32-bit and or Windows 7 64-bit.

For users who want to install Windows 7 32-bit/64-bit, you will first need to prepare a USB Flash Drive and to do so you will need to run the Win 7 tool to load the Windows 7 32-bit/64-bit image into a USB flash drive (above 4GB) before its installation. The Win 7 Tool will need to be ran on a system with Windows Vista and above operating sytsem. Please follow the instruction as below:

1. Convert the Windows 7 32-bit/64-bit DVD into an ISO image.

2. Load the Win 7 tool at X:\Win7_Tool\Image To USB.exe (X: your driver disk letter). If you want to use UEFI mode, check the box before “Enable UEFI Mode”. Grab the latest version online at zotac.com under support

3. A warning pop up will appear, warning “Your data will be deleted, yes or no?” Click “Yes”.

4. When completed, click “Exit”.

5. End