How to install and run Windows 10 on Linux Mint

InNeedOfHelp · 08 Nov 2017

I am trying to download and run Windows 10 instead of my current operating system Linux Mint.

I bought windows 10 and proceeded to download the .iso file. I wrote the .iso file onto a FAT32 flashdrive but it won't install or run. Nothing but Linux programs show up in the boot order (using Grub).
Also I can't download the windows media creation tool, when I try it takes me to the .iso download page telling me that it doesn't work on my operating system (which might not matter anyway).
Please help!

Samuria · 08 Nov 2017

Welcome to the forum. How did you write the iso to disk did you use software or it wontboot and have you set your pc to boot from DVD?

NavyLCDR · 08 Nov 2017

If your computer's BIOS is legacy BIOS, the FAT32 partition on the USB flash drive must also be marked as ACTIVE in order for it to show up in the boot options menu. Also, you say you wrote the ISO file to the flash drive. Did you write just the single ISO file to it, or did you copy all the files and folders contained within the ISO file to the flash drive? You should have copied all the files and folders contained within the ISO file to the flash drive - not the single ISO file itself.

AddRAM · 08 Nov 2017

You should also run the clean command and setup the drive with Diskpart.

You need to wipe that Linux code.

Then, after you get the usb stick created properly, use the boot menu (not the Bios) to choose the usb stick to boot from.

InNeedOfHelp · 09 Nov 2017

Samuria said:

Welcome to the forum. How did you write the iso to disk did you use software or it wontboot and have you set your pc to boot from DVD?

I wrote the .iso file to the USB by right clicking on the .iso and selecting "Make bootable USB stick" and selecting the correct USB. I don't know how to set my pc to boot from DVD. Thank you for the welcome btw!

InNeedOfHelp · 09 Nov 2017

NavyLCDR said:

If your computer's BIOS is legacy BIOS, the FAT32 partition on the USB flash drive must also be marked as ACTIVE in order for it to show up in the boot options menu. Also, you say you wrote the ISO file to the flash drive. Did you write just the single ISO file to it, or did you copy all the files and folders contained within the ISO file to the flash drive? You should have copied all the files and folders contained within the ISO file to the flash drive - not the single ISO file itself.

How do I change the partition of the USB to active? I can't find that option when looking at it's properties or format. I wrote the .iso file to the USB by right clicking on the .iso and selecting "Make bootable USB stick" and selecting the correct USB.

InNeedOfHelp · 09 Nov 2017

AddRAM said:

You should also run the clean command and setup the drive with Diskpart.
You need to wipe that Linux code.
Then, after you get the usb stick created properly, use the boot menu (not the Bios) to choose the usb stick to boot from.

Isn't Diskpart a Windows Tool? How do I use that if I'm using Linux? Also how do I properly create the USB if I don't have an OS to do it on?

topgundcp · 10 Nov 2017

Here's the steps:
Boot up Linux mint. Open a terminal and type:

su - root ===> enter password
lshw ===> list of devices: hd's, cd, usb etc... and look for the dev id of the USB ex: /dev/sdd
fdisk /dev/sdd =====> assuming your USB is /dev/sdd
a =====> mark Active
1 ===> Partition 1 is selected
w =-==> Update

AddRAM · 11 Nov 2017

InNeedOfHelp said:

Isn't Diskpart a Windows Tool? How do I use that if I'm using Linux? Also how do I properly create the USB if I don't have an OS to do it on?

You want to get rid of Linux yes ? And you are still using it as your operating system yes ? So use it to do the following.

Download and create the usb stick or dvd when you download the windows 10 Iso file from here. Download Windows 10

Just read and do what it tells you to do. If you want to create a dvd installer, then just save the W10 Iso file then create the dvd afterwards, if you want to create a usb installer, then just follow the directions in the 1st tutorial I listed.

Read these tutorials, they tell you everything you need to know.

As already stated, you can't just write or copy the Iso file to the usb stick, it has to be done with a program to make it bootable, just follow the directions in the Download Windows 10 Tutorial.

DISKPART : At PC Startup - Windows 7 Help Forums

Disk - Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command - Windows 7 Help Forums

Partition or Volume - Create New - Windows 7 Help Forums

If you want to create a DVD installer, just use this simple program. And burn the dvd at the slowest possible speed. Once you have the dvd in the dvd burner it will give you several burning speed options, just use the slowest. (very important)

Free ISO Burner

topgundcp · 11 Nov 2017

@AddRAM
The problem is he does not have a PC running Windows. If he clicks on the link you gave above, in LINUX, he only has one choice ie. to download the ISO only, not the same as in Windows that will prompt you if you want to create a bootable USB.