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How to Install Windows on a Laptop Without a DVD Drive and USB Support

How to Install Windows on a Laptop Without a DVD Drive and USB Support

February 07, 2025 Digital

How to Install Windows on a Laptop Without a DVD Drive and USB Support

Installing Windows on a laptop that lacks a DVD drive and USB ports can seem daunting, but with the right steps, it can be accomplished. This guide will walk you through the process, emphasizing the use of the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft.

Steps to Install Windows Without DVD Drive or USB Ports

Download Media Creation Tool from Microsoft: Start by accessing the Microsoft Media Creation Tool and downloading the installation media. This tool will allow you to create a Bootable USB drive or ISO file for Windows installation. Open Download and Follow Prompts: Once the tool is downloaded, open it and follow the on-screen instructions. The tool will automatically guide you through the process of creating an installation disk or drive. Create Media for Installation: When prompted, choose to create media for installation on another computer. Follow the tool's instructions to burn the installation files to an 8 GB USB flash drive or to create an ISO file.

Alternative Method: Using a PCI-E USB 3.0 Card

If your laptop is a mini tower or small form factor, consider installing a PCI-E USB 3.0 card. This card can help you install Windows using a USB port.

To use the PCI-E card:

Install the PCI-E USB 3.0 card in your laptop. Boot from the USB flash drive or CD/DVD containing the Windows installation files. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows.

Removing the Drive and Transferring Installation

If your laptop's BIOS is locked and does not allow booting from USB, you can still install Windows by booting from another PC. Here's how:

Remove the laptop's SSD/HDD and transfer it to a second PC that has USB/CDDVD connectivity. Install Windows on the SSD/HDD in the second PC. When the Windows installation completes, shut down the second PC, remove the SSD/HDD, and re-insert it into the original laptop. Boot the original laptop. If it meets minimum requirements, it should load a generic graphics driver. Use this to access the folder containing the drivers and internet setup files from the second PC and install them.

Handling Driver Issues

After moving the drive back to the original laptop, you might encounter issues with pre-installed drivers. To mitigate this, ensure that the second PC you used has the necessary drivers installed and then install these drivers on the original laptop. For better organization, create a folder with the necessary drivers and internet setup files before moving the drive.

Key Tips:

Ensure USB Connectivity: Without a USB connection, input devices like a keyboard and mouse cannot be used. A workaround is using a USB to PS2 adapter. Driver Management: After transferring the drive, manually install any required drivers to ensure compatibility with the original laptop's hardware. Internet Access: Ensure that Windows can access the internet to download and install any necessary updates and drivers.

By following these steps, you can successfully install Windows on a laptop without a DVD drive or USB ports. Remember to keep the installation media on hand for future updates or reinstallation if needed.

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