Question Network Boot v USB Boot; Requirements & Considerations?

[isaacm8]

Hi yall,

BACKGROUND: I am going to be building a new PC this weekend, and I will be installing Windows 11 Pro onto it for the Operating System. I am able to go to the local Best Buy to get a USB for it, but I also found this download option from Microsoft. My laziness wants to do the download option but I do not know if it is even possible let alone advisable.

QUESTIONS:
- How can i tell if performing a Network/Ethernet Boot is possible? (What components do i need to look at to make that determination?)
- Is it better to do a USB boot or Network/Ethernet Boot as a general matter?
- Is it necessary to look at the specific hardware or internet speed to determine whether USB or Network/Ethernet boot is preferable? (If so, what specs do i need to compare for hardware and internet speed? And, what are the spec levels that would make one preferable over the other?)

Thanks yall!

 

[COLGeek]

You might want to start here:

How To - Windows 11 clean install tutorial

Windows 11 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows 11, version 23H2 or newer but can be equally applied to earlier versions which may have some basic differences in the screens you see but will largely remain similar in...

forums.tomshardware.com

Network boot is not something you'll use to install Windows and is almost never used by home users. It is used to boot a system in a networked (like school, business, etc) environment.

Buying a USB and using the download version (as the guide will advise) are different than purchasing a valid license (product key).

 

[isaacm8]

Ah gotcha, i'll go ahead and make the trek to Best Buy (10 minute drive haha). And thanks for the link to the guide as well!

 

[COLGeek]

Ah gotcha, i'll go ahead and make the trek to Best Buy (10 minute drive haha). And thanks for the link to the guide as well!

Get a blank drive and get the most up to date version of Windows from MS (in the guide). You can also purchase your license directly from MS.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11

You can also purchase via BB, but will likely require a bunch of updates once installed.

Just for your awareness, you can use Windows indefinitely in an unactivated state until you get a license for the version of Windows you intend to use (Home vs. Pro, etc).

 

[isaacm8]

Get a blank drive and get the most up to date version of Windows from MS (in the guide). You can also purchase your license directly from MS.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11

You can also purchase via BB, but will likely require a bunch of updates once installed.

Just for your awareness, you can use Windows indefinitely in an unactivated state until you get a license for the version of Windows you intend to use (Home vs. Pro, etc).

Ohhhhh okay, im such a dummy when it comes to software for some reason. Hardware makes sense to me but software is much tougher as a newbie.

So I'll buy a 1tb external drive (just to have on hand for storage after using it for downloading Windows, but i know i wouldnt need more than 8gb) and then i use that drive as a USB Boot drive to perform a clean install.

And i had no idea i could use unactivated Windows! Thank you!

I'm going to have two separate ssds for work and personal in my new build, and on one of them, ill have to activate 11 Pro right away for work, but i dont see a huge reason i'd need to rush with activating a home license for my personal ssd. That is a huge help and huge relief too, i really appreciate it!

 

[COLGeek]

You don't need a 1TB external storage device to install Windows. A minimum of 8GB is required. Just making sure you know that.

Seems you build plan is more complex than necessary. Just setup separate accounts for work and self. One license can do both.

 

[COLGeek]

Is work paying for the Pro license, by chance?

 

[isaacm8]

You don't need a 1TB external storage device to install Windows. A minimum of 8GB is required. Just making sure you know that.

Seems you build plan is more complex than necessary. Just setup separate accounts for work and self. One license can do both.

More and more, I have felt like it might be unnecessarily complex. Initially i thought it might make more sense to separate them just to be safe but honestly, considering the complexity i'm reaching i realize im trying to do too much all at once and i should stick to a more basic approach, at least for now.

Oh and yeah, i'd only get a 1TB external storage to transfer my current work files onto it and my current personal files so i can move the relevant ones over but still have everything available if i need to dig into it.

Thanks again, this finally helped me simplify things

 

[COLGeek]

Have you compiled a list of components for your build?

 

[isaacm8]

Is work paying for the Pro license, by chance?

No haha, im doing this on my own because its a pretty large expense and it also is me conveniently building myself a gaming pc that will be in my apartment xD But, if i am able to smoothly execute the build and successfully set up the remote connection i will use from my office, im considering bringing up the entire build as a possibility for my boss and if they want it for themself, i will see if i can have mine partially billed as a business expense and get reimbursed haha

 

[COLGeek]

Understood. Use https://pcpartpicker.com/ to "build" your system. We can assess your build and advise on it, if desired.

Start a thread in the Systems section for build advice.

*How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice*

How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice First off, respect where respect is due - this is an adaptation of the Animal's *How To Ask For New Build Advice* Sticky. I created this because there's a lot of posts nowadays asking for upgrade advice both on here and on the CPU forums, and I feel...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[isaacm8]

Have you compiled a list of components for your build?

I have, but i've been posting about discrete technical issues like this before posting a list of all components for advice. And, after your really great help, i think i will either return one of the smaller SSDs i ordered or return both and get a massive one instead. either way, i will definitely let you know once i have it all settled!

thanks!

 

[USAFRet]

So I'll buy a 1tb external drive (just to have on hand for storage after using it for downloading Windows

Just get a small USB flash drive.

In creating the Windows installation, that 1TB would be reformatted to 32GB.
Undoing that back to 1TB is a hassle you don't need.

 

[isaacm8]

Just get a small USB flash drive.

In creating the Windows installation, that 1TB would be reformatted to 32GB.
Undoing that back to 1TB is a hassle you don't need.

Feel like a toddler bumbling around getting stopped from bashing my head into corners with all the help im getting from everyone here but i appreciate it!

 

[ubuysa]

Is work paying for the Pro license, by chance?

I bought a Pro license solely because I want to use the Windows Sandbox. I find it immensely useful for testing out software before installing it properly.

 

[isaacm8]

I bought a Pro license solely because I want to use the Windows Sandbox. I find it immensely useful for testing out software before installing it properly.

OOO that sounds really cool! See the Pro license on my work laptop is throttled by the organziation settings, and i have a little more freedom that other folks since ive proven myself to be tech savvy (despite what my posts here indicate haha), but even so, i am certain i havent scratched the surface of what ill be able to do because i had no idea that Sandbox mode was even a thing!!

 

[USAFRet]

OOO that sounds really cool! See the Pro license on my work laptop is throttled by the organziation settings, and i have a little more freedom that other folks since ive proven myself to be tech savvy (despite what my posts here indicate haha), but even so, i am certain i havent scratched the surface of what ill be able to do because i had no idea that Sandbox mode was even a thing!!

Be careful with messing with the OS on a work laptop, controlled by your employer.
Not saying you shouldn't, just that....know the limits.

 

[isaacm8]

Be careful with messing with the OS on a work laptop, controlled by your employer.
Not saying you shouldn't, just that....know the limits.

Oh absolutely, i dont mess with the laptop much at all. The only stuff i do is stuff i can find 100% clear answers for, so its really just been basic things relative to all the questions ive been asking about the build im planning.

But thats also why i needed the build haha, i understand the security policies are necessary because most folks have no idea what anything in a computer does, let alone sufficient foundational understanding about technology to know where to start. So keeping a tight leash absolutely makes sense. But, despite how basic my questions have been, im able to pick up on the answers after yall repeat them once or five times, and more importantly, i know to come here to ask them. So im just excited to work on something properly sophisticated with the capacity to learn at a high level

Believe me though, i take plenty liberties, im just at the barrier of the ones i can take without full control of a device haha