How can I install Windows 11 on my Linux Mint laptop?

First make sure the installer itself was created correctly. A normal USB flash drive is usually more reliable than an external hard drive, and tools such as WoeUSB-ng can create a Windows installer from Linux. Also confirm that USB boot is enabled in the firmware settings. If the installer still cannot see the SSD, check whether Intel Rapid Storage Technology or RAID mode is enabled. Windows setup often needs the storage controller driver, or the controller may need to be switched to AHCI. Be careful with that setting and back up anything important first.

On many Victus laptops, the missing-drive message means Windows Setup needs the Intel RST storage driver, or the equivalent AMD storage driver. Download the correct driver for the exact laptop model from the manufacturer's support page, extract it to the installer USB, select Load driver on the disk-selection screen, and point Setup to the extracted driver folder. The internal SSD should then appear.

If you choose Windows only, delete the Linux partitions during the Windows installation and let Setup install to the resulting unallocated space. That is the simplest arrangement, but it permanently removes the Linux installation and its files unless you have a backup. For a dual boot, shrink the Linux partition first and leave enough unallocated space for Windows rather than letting the installer overwrite the entire disk.

You do not necessarily have to erase Linux. Dual-booting Windows and Linux is generally fine: install Windows into its own partition or on a separate drive, then restore or configure the boot menu afterward if Windows takes over as the default. If you only need a few Windows applications, compatibility tools such as Proton may work for some programs, but they will not support every school application. Whichever route you choose, back up your Linux files before changing partitions because installing Windows can erase them.