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How to make a Win7 machine on NVME, using a Windows machine to set up the install disc

2026-02-07 by TTTThis

Installing Windows 7 on a ThinkPad T480s is a multi-step process because you have to "modernize" the installer to recognize the hardware. You'll find the preparation is the hardest part; the installation itself is standard once the drivers are injected.

Phase 1: Prepare the "Patched" Installer

(You cannot use a standard Windows 7 ISO. You must inject NVMe (for the SSD) and USB 3.0/xHCI (for the ports) drivers, or the installer will freeze or fail to find the disk.)

The Easiest Method: Use a Patcher Tool

  1. Download a Clean ISO: Get a 64-bit Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate ISO.
  2. Use "Windows 7 Image Updater" or "Gigabyte USB Tool": These tools automate the driver injection.
  3. Windows 7 Image Updater: Highly recommended. Point it to your ISO, and it will automatically download and "slipstream" the NVMe and USB 3.0 updates for you.

Flash to USB: Use Rufus.

  1. Partition Scheme: Select MBR (this is crucial for Legacy/CSM boot).
  2. Target System: BIOS (or UEFI-CSM).

Phase 2: Configure the T480s BIOS

(Before plugging in your SSD, you must tell the T480s to act like an older computer.)

  1. Repeatedly press F1 during boot to enter BIOS.
  2. Security Tab: * Go to Secure Boot → Set to Disabled.
  3. Startup Tab: * UEFI/Legacy Boot: Set to Both or Legacy Only.
  4. CSM Support: Set to Yes.
  5. Restart Tab:
  6. OS Optimized Defaults: Set to Disabled.
  7. Press F10 to save and exit.

Phase 3: The Installation

  1. Insert your Music SSD and your Patched USB Drive.
  2. Press F12 during boot and select the USB drive.
  3. Follow the standard Windows 7 prompts. If you patched the ISO correctly, your SSD will appear in the list.
  4. Important: Once it reaches the desktop, do not connect to the internet. ---

Phase 4: Critical Driver Installation (Offline)

(Since you won't be using the internet, have these drivers ready on a second USB stick:)

TABLE


| Graphics | Modded Intel UHD 620 | Essential for Ableton UI fluidity. Search for "Win7 UHD 620 modded driver." |
| Audio | Realtek High Definition | Standard ThinkPad driver works fine. |
| Trackpad | Synaptics/Elan | Lenovo’s official Win7 T470s drivers often work for T480s. |
| Power Mgmt | Lenovo Power Manager | Helps with battery life and thermal throttling. |

Pro Tip for Ableton: Once the drivers are installed, go to Power Options → High Performance and disable "USB Selective Suspend." This prevents your audio interface from dropping out during a session.

Phase 5: The "Swap" Test

  1. Shut down, pull the Win7 SSD, and insert your Linux SSD.
  2. Go back into BIOS and ensure Secure Boot is still off (most Linux distros are fine with this).
  3. Test your Linux VMs. You should see all 4 cores / 8 threads available.

Tags: Example

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