About a month ago, prominent blogger Rafael Rivera revealed that Microsoft had used open-source code in the download tool it was offering so that users could transfer Windows 7 .ISO files to USB flash drives (see our coverage here). There’s nothing wrong with using open-source code, of course, but you have to use it in accordance with the license under which it is released – in this case, Microsoft violated the GPLv2-licensed code developed for a program called ImageMaster.
Today, Microsoft has righted its wrongs and offered the tool for download, this time licensed properly under the terms of the GNU GPLv2.
The tool, originally a standalone program, now requires additional downloads to work – the .NET Framework and IMAPI – which the program will download for you if they’re not already installed on your computer.
Microsoft’s Peter Galli said the following in a blog post:
I am very pleased to announce that Microsoft today released the Open Sourced Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool (WUDT) under the GPLv2.
As we previously explained, the testing and localization took longer than we expected, but the project is now hosted on CodePlex.com, Microsoft’s Open Source software project hosting repository, and the code can be found here.
The tool can also now be downloaded from the Microsoft Store here.
Also, as a result of some necessary changes, while the user experience of the tool will be the same as before, the install involves additional steps.
Once again, we appreciate your patience.
