Clean Install done elsewhere-not owners wireless network

Rose W · 24 Nov 2016

Following the tutorial
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-windows-10-clean-install.html
This friend's MSI cr620 laptop was previously on Win 10 1511 so its activated and a local account was used then. The AU would not install and he had Win7 clean installed. Now its a go back to Win10 with the current .iso (1607)
Edit: Neglected to include that the friend 'forgot/overlooked' checking/activating the Win7 and now its past due date.
But the friend thought he could bring the laptop to my home for the clean install
Therefore I'm translating that I should skip the wireless network connection and skip to the next step where he is notified.
He could notify me of the info received
I interpret this clean install would have a MS account established using that second step.

We have created two choices for this install.
He downloaded with the MCtool and used the save to usb flash drive
I created a Rufus + iso flash drive and I also burned a dvd (using Imagburn)
I had to find the pdf manual for the laptop to get the info that the key is ESC to get into the bios start menu.
I cannot confirm if his MSI CR 620 laptop is legacy or UEFI so I used the first choice in the Rufus list.
Questions
Will the MCtool created usb drive require the Esc key into the bios start menu?
Will it discover Legacy or UEFI?
The Rufus based install uses its first default choice which I translated required using the bios menu.

The tutorials are more based on clean installing an existing Win10 so getting into the advanced start is not a choice
I'm wondering if this clean install on the now Win7 laptop should be done at his home with his wireless

NavyLCDR · 24 Nov 2016

The first thing you need to do is STOP USING RUFUS! It is absolutely not needed and only increases the chances of introducing incompatibilities. The Windows 10 ISO file contains all the files/info required to create a bootable DVD or USB flash drive.

If you want to create a bootable DVD from a Windows 10 ISO file, all you have to do in Windows 10 is right click on the file and select Burn disc image. Windows 7 and maybe 8 you need a program like imgburn to just burn the image to a DVD. No messing around with unneeded and often erroneous settings in Rufus. The DVD created by directly burning the image from the ISO file will be bootable in both UEFI and BIOS.

If you want to create a bootable USB flash drive - erase and prepare the flash drive using this procedure:
Create a Bootable USB Flash Drive

At step 9, read the note. To make a USB flash drive compatible with both UEFI and BIOS use the FAT32 filesystem:
9. To format the partition, type format fs=fat32 quick, and then click ENTER.

For step 12, you just mount the Windows 10 ISO file and copy all the files and folders from the mounted ISO file to the USB flash drive. In Windows 7 you have to use a program like WinISO to mount it. No messing around with unneeded and often erroneous settings in Rufus.

You will have to use the ESC boot menu to boot from either a DVD or USB flash drive.

When I install Windows 10 for someone else, once the install is finished and I am at the first screen to start Windows like when you buy a new computer and take it out of the box, I go into audit mode by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+F3. The only big thing to watch out for is do not let the computer start a screensaver in audit mode.

Connect to your WiFi, set up all the device drivers, do all the updates, adjust partitions if they want a data partition. Once it is all set up, tell Sysprep to reboot the computer back to OOBE - do not generalize, you don't need to because it is staying on the same computer. There will be no user account created because audit mode uses the built-in administrator account. All your WiFi connection information will be erased. Once the computer boots back to the first OOBE screen (out of box experience like a brand new computer), I just hold down the power key to turn it off.

Rose W · 24 Nov 2016

Have read about audit mode but did not know specifics and that key combo is handy info.
No partitions required. The updates will be time consuming. My connection is not speedy. The owner is on a speedy fiber network in town. But I would prefer working in my own environment. He's on a very limited budget so my assistance is the free alternate to a paid for service shop.
I downloaded the Oct/Nov cumulative updates from the catalog so I could reuse those huge files instead of downloading again(?) once 1607 is installed
Your information is more than helpful. This routine that has the wifi info be erased is good to know.
I'm not sure he is comfortable or knows about setting up account so at that point I could just take the 'ready to' laptop to his house and do the rest.
I will add that I avoided Rufus all this time but figured I had better get my head around it. To date I have just done the burn to dvd. As in everything with this OS there are those who champion the Rufus method and I was comfortable with the burn to dvd <grin>
I have copied your notes and included the technet details...for a printed note to myself
If all fails I'm not too proud and I'll make use of a paid service in town <grin>

Rose W · 24 Nov 2016

Just a clarification request regarding telling Sysprep to go back to OOBE.
..This 'telling' is done back at the administrative command prompt
At technet the words are
"configure the system to boot to Windows Welcome by running sysprep/oobe. The next time the system starts, Windows Welcome starts."
So is the command prompt window brought into view to do the typing of sysprep/oobe ...or is it still sitting there as a result of the sysprep/audit
(For attended installations, from Windows Welcome screen, press SHIFT+CTRL+F3.)

NavyLCDR · 24 Nov 2016

The sysprep gui will automatically appear when the computer starts in audit mode. You can just minimize and ignore it until you are ready to do the final reboot back to the OOBE start screen and you can just you use the sysprep gui to do that.