Possible to install Windows 10 without Windows 10 PC?

I have tried UNetbootin with no success. Haven't found the magic steps for this.

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I will try GitHub - WoeUSB/WoeUSB-ng: WoeUSB-ng is a simple tool that enable you to create your own usb stick windows installer from an iso image or a real DVD. This is a rewrite of original WoeUSB. right now.

Does the HP Compaq Elite 8300 has a UEFI BIOS?
I suppose it does.
Windows can be installed in two ways: Legacy-MBR or UEFI-GPT
To install as Legacy-MBR you must boot the installation drive as Legacy
To install as UEFI-GPT you must boot the installation drive as UEFI.

As you have a new computer, you should install as UEFI-GPT

Format a USB drive as Fat32 and copy all files and folders from the Win 10 iso to the USB drive.

On BIOS, disable fast boot and secure boot (you can enable after installation)

During POST, press F(?) to launch the boot menu. You will see two options for the USB drive. USB UEFI (Name) and USB (Name). Select USB UEFI (Name).
Go to install and delete ALL partitions on the SSD till you have one and only one unallocated space and then proceed.
If you don't want to use MS account, don't enable updates or connect to the internet during installation.

Hi there
@cootcraig

I assume you want to keep Arch Linux -- Usually when you need to Dual boot Linux and Windows the Windows system should always be installed first -- then at GRUB on the Linux install you'll get a message "Check for other OS's" - and if you specify YES then Windows boot manager will be added to the GRUB menu so at boot you can choose (or set a default).

To make a bootable USB is easy enough from the linux system - I see you are familiar with Linux so should be easy enough. BTW to read / write ntfs file systems from Linux install ntfs-3g. Most distros have it installed automatically but arch linux which is nice and lean - you have to install it but the pacman package manger is one of the simplest anywhere simply as root type pacman -S ntfs-3g

simply as root / sudo : dd if=<source file/device> of=<target file or device> bs=2048M status=progress.

You don't need to format the output usb. It's better also if you have an iso image rather than a physical cd/dvd as it's a zillion times faster and less error prone.

Job done ==> now boot usb, format HDD and install Windows, then re-install your Linux system -- it's worth while re-installing Linux - especially arch as it doesn't take long at all.

Cheers
jimbo

jimbo45 said:

@cootcraig
I assume you want to keep Arch Linux

In this case no, I set up a new PC and could not get the Windows 10 iso to boot. I did want the new PC to dual boot. The dual boot was straight forward. 1)Installed Windows 10 on a partition. 2)Installed Arch on a partition. Grub then let me select Windows or Arch.

jimbo45 said:

To make a bootable USB is easy enough from the linux system

WoeUSB on my existing Arch PC used the Windows 10 ISO to write a bootable USB flash. Nothing I tried before WoeUSB worked for me.

Does Arch Linux have USB Image Writer?

ISO Image Writer - A Reliable Bootable USB Creator for Linux

I have never used it to create a bootable Windows device, though.

Matthew Wai said:

Does Arch Linux have USB Image Writer?

ISO Image Writer - A Reliable Bootable USB Creator for Linux

I have never used it to create a bootable Windows device, though.

I've not used "ISOImageWriter"; don't know if it can make a Windows install ISO bootable. WoeUSB worked fine for me. I have installed Brasero and will try that for writing CD-r and DVD-r.

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dalchina said:

Hope the installation goes ok.
If so, as soon as you can and before configuring your new O/S too much, start a routine and regular pattern of disk imaging to external storage using e.g. Macrium Reflect (free/paid) so you can restore your working environment and any imaged partition when something goes badly wrong, if necessary to a new disk or even a PC.

I've started looking at the "Backup and Restore" forum for ideas.