PC build - installing Windows 10 via ISO on USB to empty SSD

[MagnaFarta]

Hi,

I am building a custom PC, and I want to install Windows 10 on to an SSD (which will be the only permanent storage device). I have a i) blank/empty/new SSD (120gb), ii) Windows 10 ISO (downloaded from Microsoft) on a 16gb USB, iii) a licence key (bought separately online), and iv) the rest of the required PC bits. I would like to confirm a few things before I pull the trigger:

1) Is it simply a case of building the PC, switching it on, entering bios, changing the boot order to boot from the USB (containing the Windows 10 ISO), installing Windows on the SSD, adding the licence key, finishing the install, rebooting and removing USB, entering bios, changing boot order to boot from SSD - hey presto, Windows 10 is installed?

2) I heard that the Windows 10 licence is linked to the specific CPU i.e. if I change the CPU, then I lose my licence. Is this true? I am planning to replace my CPU very soon (I am using a cheap one temporarily).

3) Ideally, I would like to make this PC dual boot – both Linux and Windows. Once I have completed point #1, can I then easily install a lightweight Linux distro? If so, upon boot up, how would I choose which operating system to select? Would it be better for me to have a separate and distinct SSD for the Linux operating system?

Thanks in advance, hive-mind. All comments appreciated. I am very keen to learn, so any additional advice, comments or suggestions are also welcome.

 

[feelinfroggy777]

Just build the machine and insert the USB. Go into bios and boot from the USB. Then follow the instructions for the Windows 10 install.

No, if you change your CPU you wont lose your windows 10 license. Sometimes Microsoft will have issue when you replace your motherboard, but usually a phone call will clear that up.

As for dual boot, you can use the same drive to boot from, buy considering you have a 120gb drive, that is not much space for 2 OS. You would have to partition the drive for each OS. It has been awhile since I ran a dual boot system, but it is not hard to configure and at the loading screen you can chose which OS to boot into. Given your drive space, I would go with a separate drive for Linux and boot from the bios.

 

[MagnaFarta]

Ok, thanks. That is what I wanted to hear.

Ahh, it was the MOBO, not the CPU that can cause the issue! Sorted. Thanks. I wont be changing that quite yet.

Ok, two separate SSDs it is, one for each OS.

Thanks again. Wish me luck....