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.
If windows was installed once on a motherboard if you install windows from USB again on the same motherboard even after wiping it will remember your purchase and not make you pay again
This is true. There’s even a Linux command to grab the license key. The key won’t work on any other hardware tho, so it’s kind of useless :)
You can go through the activation troubleshooter and say you replaced the motherboard, I did this with my brother’s computer and used a licence from a 5 year old netbook on a modern desktop. It might’ve needed a Microsoft account though.