My mini PC's SSD failed, and I've installed a replacement drive. The only Windows computer I can use is a locked-down work laptop, and I don't have administrator rights, so I can't run Microsoft's Media Creation Tool. I also have unrestricted access to a MacBook. What's the best way to create a bootable Windows USB and install Windows on the new SSD?
3 Answers
A Windows ISO by itself won’t be enough—you need to turn the flash drive into a bootable installer. After creating it, select the USB as the mini PC’s boot device in its firmware settings. You aren’t installing Windows “in BIOS”; BIOS or UEFI simply starts the installer.
Use the MacBook to download the official Windows ISO directly from Microsoft, then use a tool such as WinDiskWriter to write it to an 8GB-or-larger USB drive. Boot the mini PC from that USB and run the Windows installer. This avoids needing administrator access on the work laptop.
Ventoy is another option: install Ventoy onto the USB drive, then copy the official Windows ISO onto it. However, setting up Ventoy may require administrator authorization on some computers, so using the unrestricted MacBook with a Mac-compatible USB-writing tool is likely simpler in this situation.
That clears up my terminology. I need the USB to boot through the firmware, then Windows can be installed onto the new SSD.