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I recently re-installed Windows 10 on a computer that had been running Linux for a while. I believe that the steps for Windows 8.1 are similar. The documentation for each step was fairly scattered. Here's what you need to do.
1) Get the Windows license key out of your bios. To do so, run the following command:
$ sudo xxd /sys/firmware/acpi/tables/MSDM
The license key comprises five strings of five letters or numbers. It's in the lower right part of the output, and the text wrapping is awkward. In any case, write it down somewhere.
2) Download a windows install image.
You can get it off of Microsoft's website here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8ISO
Edit: per u/DoubleDown's comment below, you can skip step 1, but if you don't, you'll have a key will work for a Windows 10 image, so you probably want to download that instead. No one deserves to be stuck with Windows 8 ...
3) Create a bootable usb stick.
This isn't actually as straightforward as I'd like it to be. But them I'm not really an expert when it comes to making things that boot that aren't Linux install images. Luckily, someone who knows what they are doing made a tool:
https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB
Download WoeUSB and run it, pointing it at the image that you downloaded in step 2. You'll need an 8GB usb stick, I believe. (I usually buy 16GB ones, so I don't recall how small of a usb drive you can get away with.)
4) Install Windows. Press [Enter] to interrupt the standard boot on your Thinkpad, select a temporary boot device in the bios (you want to use the usb stick, of course), and the Windows installer will take things from there. Make sure that you have that license key handy.
hth
I have seen variants of this question asked often in this sub. From my understanding the following apply. (I am sure others will correct me if i am wrong)
You can NOT use dd, etcher, unetbootin, etcher, or other tools to make a bootable windows reinstall USB from a windows 10 ISO.
On linux you must use the 'WoeUSB' tool, https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB Alternative, you can do it 'by hand' with a guide such as this - https://www.linuxbabe.com/ubuntu/easily-create-windows-10-bootable-usb-ubuntu
A windows reinstall USB made on a different windows machine should work with other machines. Since the windows activation code is somehow stored on the motherboard. (one thing i do with every new windows 10 machine i make, is create a usb flash and tie it inside the case)
Someone mentioned older versions of windows let you use the tools mentioned in #1 - but I have not heard of this before.
Good Luck
Etcher will NOT correctly make a windows 10 USB from the current windows ISO. On linux you should use WoeUSB or VenToy.
When booting the USB (ventoy) be sure you select the UEFI entry for the USB in the USB Boot menus in the UEFI settings.
WoeUSB has known package issues. it can be installed with the right commands.
https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB/issues/311
From the above...
wget http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/w/wxwidgets3.0/libwxgtk3.0-0v5_3.0.4+dfsg-3_amd64.deb sudo dpkg -i libwxgtk3.0-0v5_3.0.4+dfsg-3_amd64.deb sudo apt update sudo apt install woeusb
Windows 10 is fairly easy to install. If you have another Windows computer then Windows has a client to create a usb installer. You just need a usb stick with 8gb storage. If you don't have access to a Windows computer you can use woeusb on Ubuntu/Mint to create usb installer for Windows 10: https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB
I have done it both ways without issue.
The official source code contains (low-quality) Debian package build instructions. If you're concerned about what's in the package, you could always build it yourself.
sudo apt install debhelper dh-autoreconf libwxgtk3.0-dev git clone https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB cd WoeUSB
Replace "@@WOEUSB_VERSION@@" with 3.1.5 in debian/changelog and save the file. (This is not proper Debian packaging, but it works)
dpkg-buildpackage -uc -b
The .deb file will be output to the directory above WoeUSB. Install it with
sudo dpkg -i ../woeusb_3.1.5_amd64.deb
Ok. AFAIK (I haven't had to install Windows for years), Windows ISOs don't work on USB flash drives, at least not without modifications. They are made for optical media. Perhaps you could use something like https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB.
The problem is windows ISOs can't be directly booted. Ventoy should work in theory, but I've had some problems with it so it's not surprising that it doesn't work sometimes. Try woeusb and see if it works.
you can try "woeusb"
https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB
This is what i use for in arch linux. Works great for burning windows 7 iso to usb in linux.
And i third Don't use unetbootin.
I think you can just grab an ISO from Microsoft and flash it with WoeUSB. The bios should just take care of the rest. When I sold my old Asus I did that and it was activated instantly.
So, I've learnt about a program WoeUSB. I tried it out with a fresh official W10 .iso but here's what it said in return:
Installation failed!
Exit code: 256
Log:
WoeUSB v3.3.1
==============================
Mounting source filesystem...
Error: File "/media/woeusb_source_1643460688_128970/sources/install.wim" in source image has exceed the FAT32 Filesystem 4GiB Single File Size Limitation and cannot be installed. You must specify a different --target-filesystem.
Refer: https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB/wiki/Limitations#fat32-filesystem-4gib-single-file-size-limitation for more info.
Unmounting and removing "/media/woeusb_source_1643460688_128970"...
You may now safely detach the target device
That only works on Linux, on windows you would be stuck on installing drivers. the thing I would do is get Linux Beta and install WoeUSB
I use WoeUSB and have personally had problems with all of the other Windows Boot CD creators. If above doesn't work for you, you can try it here: https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB
there was some odd packaging issue with woeusb from the repos and 20.04 - I cant find my notes on it any more. and the reddit 'user search all comments' site is not working. :(
I used the info from here, to get it working on 20.04 https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB/issues/311#
Not tried it on 20.10 - I Hope its been fixed.
https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB/issues/311
WoeUSB doesn't install on Ubuntu 20.04 #311
Details, and work arounds, and fixed packages on the above url. first google hit for 'woeusb 20.04' if you ever need to find it again..
the main fix/work around - seems to be downloading the package directly and installing it.
http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/w/wxwidgets3.0/libwxgtk3.0-0v5_3.0.4+dfsg-3_amd64.deb
The install woeusb.
I tend to use Ventoy - http://ventoy.net these days for a multi ISO boot USB that can boot windows 7,8,10 and a dozen linux distros from the same usb.
Woeusb, (known issues here https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB/issues/311 )
or Ventoy http://ventoy.net
Are the tools normally used to make a windows usb in Linux.
I have heard unetbootin can work, but it is rarely mentioned in the numerous posts on this exact question that come up almost weekly.
Tools like BalanaEtcher and dd will not work with the most recent windows iso downloads.
A well documented issue.. (first google hit for 'woeusb 20.04')
https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB/issues/311
use an updated version of the packages (given on the url above) or use the command line version. or some of the other fixs mentioned at the above url.
If you are asking how to 'make a windows 10 usb from linux' this is a common asked question. It just is often phrased differently.
You get the iso from the Microsoft site.
Then use a tool like woeusb see their support site for known issues..https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB/issues/311
Or use ventoy. Http://ventoy.net
(My favorite tool)
There are a few other tools out as well.
dd and etcher will not work. Rufus is a windows only tool.
Good luck.
you mean to create a bootable windows 10 Usb in linux?
Woeusb - Your mentioned issues are well known - fixs are here --> https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB/issues/311
Ventoy - http://ventoy.net My favorite tool.
you are not mounting an ISO to a pendrive. :) You are 'making a windows 10 usb in linux' MOUNT means something very specific in linux.
dd and Etcher will NOT work - any direct to USB image copy method will not work. You must use a special tool or follow some of the guides out to do it by hand.
If you have access to a windows machine - it would be easier to just use the MS media creation tool.
But i like ventoy - it can make Multi-boot USBS so you can have a single usb with windows, and as many Linux ISO's as you can fit on it. Which can be handy in your PC toolbox.
Good Luck.
Download a Windows 10 ISO from the recovery website, then install WoeUSB using the links in this comment:
https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB/issues/311#issuecomment-624426060
(Use the direct link for the second link in the comment.) This will allow you to create an install disk and you can then boot into it and install Windows.
>"dd if="${source_file}" bs="${DD_BLOCK_SIZE}" skip="${i}" seek="${i}" of="${dest_file}" count=1 2> /dev/null" failed with exit status "1", program is prematurely aborted
Try using --tgt-fs NTFS to get around that issue.
Found it here: https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB/issues/194
Ventoy? or the Woeusb 'fixs' from the https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB/issues/311 post?
I have a Ventoy usb made with A win10 ISO file. but have not tried to use it to install windows yet. Just been testing out Linux ISOS on it.
ok so what the error says when i try woeusb:
Mounting source filesystem...
Error: File "/media/woeusb_source_1586874876_19879/sources/install.wim" in source image has exceed the FAT32 Filesystem 4GiB Single File Size Limitation and cannot be installed. You must specify a different --target-filesystem.
Refer: https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB/wiki/Limitations#fat32-filesystem-4gib-single-file-size-limitation for more info.
Unmounting and removing "/media/woeusb_source_1586874876_19879"...
You may now safely detach the target device
here's what it says when i select nfts format:
Mounting source filesystem...
Wiping all existing partition table and filesystem signatures in /dev/sdb...
wipefs: error: /dev/sdb: probing initialization failed: No medium found
The command "wipefs --all "${target_device}"" failed with exit status "1", program is prematurely aborted
Unmounting and removing "/media/woeusb_source_1586875167_21248"...
You may now safely detach the target device
can you tell me what i should do?
- Download Windows 10 ISO
- Install WoeUSB on Ubuntu
- Flash USB stick with WoeUSB
- Boot USB
Link to WoeUSB https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB
Be ready to buy a key if the BIOS(?) don't have a Win key registered.
WoeUSB seems to be the easiest solution for making Windows 10 USB install media on Linux these days. Check and see if your distro has a prebuilt package in their repository
It's odd that it works on your X390, because dding Windows iso's isn't supposed to work at all without fiddling with the boot files afterwards. I've always used WoeUSB https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB/blob/master/README.md Give that a try.
> I have installed a Linux based operating system (Parrot specifically if it helps) via Unetbootin,
Using Unetbootin was very likely a big mistake. You Erased the hard drive while installing Parrot? Is that the Core of the issue? Now you need to figure out how to reinstall windows. And you did not make a Windows Reinstall USB to begin with?
> (Something like Unetbootin because you don't have to format the drive and can keep the files/folders without having them removed on the switch-over).
I think you can give up on that idea. all the tools I have seen to make a Windows Installer USB - always seem to erase the USB.
> I have a legit copy of Windows.
You can install Windows 10 Unlicensed, and it will work fine. :)
The common tool to make a Windows 10 Installer USB on Linux is woeusb
I really have no idea if it works on Parrot OS however.
https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB
the easiest thing to do would be get on another windows machine, and make a reinstall usb on it.
I am fairly sure Etcher and the windows.iso file from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO
will not work. (I know someone who is in the process of testing if it does or does not work) , RUFUS on windows has been confirmed to work. There is also the Official Microsoft Media Creator Tool for making the USB.
Sorry to hear that. It was working well for me last time (2-3 months ago). There could be some issues which you could lookup on github repo. For example this.
https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB/issues/219
Otherwise, the only way is dual boot with windows.
Terminal
sudo apt update
sudo apt install gddrescue
sudo fdisk -l
Check the usb's name with the above prompt and double check to make sure you don't accidentally wipe your hard drive.
sudo unmount /dev/sdx replace x with your usb name
ddrescue path/to/.iso /dev/sdx --force -D
path/to is whatever the path to your iso file is, and replace the x with whatever the name of your thumb drive is.
if that doesn't work try woeusb
Maybe this will help? Seems to claim to do exactly what you're looking to do.
Or maybe opening the terminal and going
dd of=[install medium] if=[Windows ISO]
? I suspect that's kinda what the Fedora Media Writer thingy does already though so idk.
Try to connect pendrive via USB 2.0 port, not 3.0.
Also prepare an usb drive with Microsoft Tool (could run it in wine) or use this software: WoeUSB.
Make sure your iso is not corrupted.
You can just dd any modern distro's image, and there's WoeUSB for making Windows installation drives. The author of Rufus also participated in its development to make latest versions of Windows 10 work.
Yea, you never mentioned that in the OP. but after looking into it, it seems that woeUSB is its successor.
Have you tried using the CLI instead of the GUI (refer to here:) https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB/issues/158
https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB
​
What are you trying to do? This doesn't make a USB Live version of Windows, if that's what your trying to do.
​
This just make a current Windows ISO or a Windows DVD image to just boot off a USB stick to install Windows on a system. I'm a DVD kinda guy, always have been. Haven't install a OS using a bootable ISO off a USB stick yet.
Download and install an application called WoeUSB from here. Then go and download the Windows ISO for free from here. Make sure you select the April 2018 version and not the October version because a bug in WoeUSB means you won't be able to write an ISO that large.
Then use WoeUSB to write the Windows ISO to a USB like you did with Linux.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 should have an ISO download option when accessed from a non-Windows system.
Note that unlike most Linux distribution ISOs which boot fine if you dd them to a flash drive because they use a hybrid ISO format, creating a flash drive in the same way with Microsoft's Windows ISOs requires additional work. See, for example, utilities like https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB.
See https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/bcdboot-command-line-options-techref-di for Microsoft's docs on using bcdboot to recreate Windows boot configuration data.
So, I've done this once before -> it's been a while though.
Use WoeUSB which may run on your Mac: https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB
As far as your bios goes, load the usb up once it's created and then in the bios make sure it's selected as your boot device.
Seems like this is a known issue with the GUI version.
https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB/issues/144 (source)
Sounds like might be best to run via command line.
etcher is pretty good last I remember. Windows is a bit tricky to flash from a non-windows system, windows requires special processing for the usb image to work. WoeUSB could work for you.
You either get it from the fwupdate repo or you get it from swapping out your hard drive with a windows one.
There is a 3rd option that is hit or miss.
https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB
A live windows usb key.
Rumor has it you can run windows live off a usb stick. It kinda works. But depending on the firmware, it may not like not being launched from a usb port.
https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB
Otherwise, I personally keep a spare windows drive and swap it out for such occasions.
As far as the Intel Management Engine, if it works you're vulnerable and if it's broken you are vulnerable. So, best not to have it- but if you must, then update it so only a few parties have access.
WoeUSB is part of a Windows Live usb creation tool.
https://launchpad.net/~nilarimogard/+archive/ubuntu/webupd8?field.series_filter=bionic
https://github.com/slacka/WoeUSB
For writing a straight iso properly, that isn't what you use.
In any case, it doesn't matter.
>Is there anyway to just install Windows fully without having to partition out my SSD?
Sure, just delete everything on the disk and install windows. You blank it out with no filesystem, and whether windows or linux, it'll create it's own. You don't need to format it in fat or ntfs or anything else.
This is assuming you have windows media to install in the first place.
I recently used WoeUSB with plain success. I think there are binaries for Debian/Ubuntu somewhere but the project is open source and distributed via github. Really, you don't need to keep looking after you install WoeUSB, it's pretty straightforward.
So I don't have a Linux box to test this on, but on ChromeOS I've got no issues getting the ISO from here - https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10ISO - WoeUSB looks to be the current best tool for then making bootable media.