Hi. I’ve not really used Windows since the early 2000. Even then not much.

I have a single mini PC with windows on. And use it only for device firmware updates. As a ham radio nerd. You get many devices that can only be modified via windows.

Anyway it was set up with dual boot the normal way. Windows first as it came with it. Then make a real Linux partition to use the PC on my boat while travelling.

Now the issue is I am upgrading the Mini PC. Basically replacing memory and the tiny 128gb ssd. So need to install it all from scratch.

I have order a copy of windows 11 from ebay. (At a price I consider acceptable for the crap)

But its going to take several days to arrive. And I would like to be more efficient.

So I am hoping folks can advice me on the best way to set up the PC with Linux first then install Windows 11 later. Knowing windows has a habit of messing up grub etc.

  • @janNatan@lemmy.ml
    3•4 months ago

    I have no experience with setting up Windows after Linux. I’ve always done it the other way around.

    However, what version of Windows was it running before? If you haven’t switched the components yet, you can use Windows to make a Windows boot flash drive or DVD officially using the “Windows Media creation Tool.” It’s a free download from an official Microsoft page. I don’t think you needed to buy Windows 11 at all. Both windows 10 and 11 will recognize that your hardware (motherboard mostly, I believe) is registered with a license, and it will simply activate your Windows online, no hassle. It’s like the one thing Microsoft got right.