← Back to context

Comment by burnt_toast

5 days ago

That won't work. Windows won't let you finish the installation process unless you connect to the internet so you can't get the PC to a point where you could install the drivers.

The official solution[1] is to slipstream network drivers onto the Windows image before installation.

The official solution for non-technical users is to buy a PC with Windows preinstalled.

[1] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufactu...

  • No need to slipstream. Just copy the drivers to install media (hopefully a writable media such as an USB pen) Latest Windows 11 has an option to select the folder with the drivers of it can't detect a WiFi device and there is no ethernet card.

    That being said, I installed Windows 10 on Framework 12 by mistake and SHIFT+F10, "explorer", right-click on INF and "Install" also worked.

    But on latest Windows 11 installer such witchery is not needed.

Really?

When did this come up?

I know tons of people who run Windows unactivated. The key difference is there's a watermark. Otherwise, it seems to work fine.

  • Personalization options like wallpaper and color settings are disabled until activation, though I'm sure there are workarounds.

    • Unless they have fixed it you used to be able to change stuff really quickly after install before it locked it down due to activation.