Is there any way to get an operating system running from the BIOS screen without using a USB flash drive? Is it possible to use an unactivated version of Windows or do I definitely need a flash drive to move past this screen? If a flash drive is necessary, how can I get one with Windows installed on it?
3 Answers
Yep, without a bootable USB or DVD, you're stuck in the BIOS. If you decide to go the disk route, just remember you need a disk drive on your system to use that too. So, it really depends on your hardware.
You can't really use the computer beyond the BIOS without an operating system. Unless you have a DVD or floppy drive, you will need a USB drive with the OS already on it or the installation media to set it up. If you have another computer, you can easily download the Windows installer onto a USB drive for free or buy the retail version with the OS on it.
I agree, you'll need a bootable device to install Windows. You could use a disk if you have a disk drive, but otherwise, getting a USB with the OS is the way to go. It's pretty straightforward if you have access to another PC to help with the setup.
Thanks for clarifying! I'll check what kind of drives I have and choose the best option.