A few months back, I switched from Windows to Linux on my ThinkPad and I'm really enjoying it. I'm planning to start an IT course soon, but I found out that it requires some Windows-only software. I'm quite attached to my Linux system and I don't want to erase it. I'd like to find a way to run Windows 11 without dual booting, as I've heard that can create issues, especially on my second-hand machine. I'm considering using a Live USB to run Windows 11 from an external hard drive with Rufus. Is this a bad idea? What potential problems should I expect? Also, I have a Windows 11 Pro key that's tied to my motherboard, can I use it to activate Windows-To-Go or will I need to buy a new one?
3 Answers
Running a virtual machine might be your best bet here! It offers a lot of flexibility without messing with your main setup. Just make sure you have enough resources since running a VM can be demanding. You could run Windows in a VM from your Linux setup, but keep in mind your course might require performance that a VM cannot provide. Maybe keep an external drive as a backup option in case the VM doesn't cut it.
Also, VMs have some limitations with licensing, especially if your course involves specific Windows key checks.
About your product key, don’t worry too much about activating Windows initially—just run it without activation if that works for your course. If you do want to activate it later, you can extract the product key from your BIOS using certain commands. I believe there's a way to do it through Linux too, but you'd definitely need it if you're dual-booting and want to keep things legit.
I would advise against running Windows off an external drive. You might run into boot issues, and it could be a hassle overall. Instead, consider partitioning your SSD and installing Windows alongside Linux for dual booting. It does involve some setup, but it keeps everything tidier.
For sure! Just remember to back everything up before making any partitions. It can be tricky if Windows overwrites the bootloader.
I totally agree with you! I did something similar, and it was a learning experience. Just be prepared for some possible hiccups.
True, a VM is a solid solution but you definitely want to check if your course will run VMs smoothly. Also, if you do need to run a VM from Windows later, make sure your hardware can handle it.