Install Windows 11 without a CD drive
fabul Posted messages 42092 Registration date Status Moderator Last intervention -
Hello,
I recently acquired a computer. The problem is that it doesn’t have a CD drive, and as a result, the computer came with the installation CD for Windows 11 but hasn't been installed. How should I go about installing it?
Should I get an external drive to run the CD?
Thank you in advance.
1 answer
Hello,
Use the tool to download the ISO to create a USB drive (minimum 8GB) to upgrade, repair, or reinstall Windows
https://www.microsoft.com/fr-fr/software-download/windows11
When you have the Windows ISO file, you can create your USB drive with Rufus
In GPT mode for EFI > For Windows 11 GPT for EFI
Boot from it by pressing the Boot Menu key of the PC
https://www.malekal.com/liste-touches-acces-bios-boot-menu-constructeur/
If you can't see it, you can search on Google "[Brand Model] Boot Menu Key"
Select "Custom installation" (Not upgrade)
Hello. Thank you for the response. Does it have to be a USB drive? Would it work with an external hard drive?
Do you want to erase your entire external drive?
Let's say I don't have any USB drives that big, just an external hard drive that I can afford to empty for the occasion.
It can be done, Rufus offers to show all the USB drives for creating the installation media.
But hey, an 8GB USB flash drive only costs a few euros, and it's recyclable (I mean you can reuse it for other things afterwards)
You could also buy a 16 or 32GB one.
Alright, I'll go buy an 8GB flash drive and try to follow the steps.
I'm not really too comfortable with all these manipulations. I'll leave the subject pending if possible just in case.
Thank you very much