Installing Windows 11 ISO from Mac to Laptop 13 - what files do I need on the USB

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I’m following the instructions on how to install Windows on Framework but they are all based around having a Windows machine as the initial setup.

I followed this awesome video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06KAT0TBcpc&list=LL to create a bootable USB drive.

I plugged it into my Framework and it’s booting up to Recovery mode and I can’t get to the install portion. I’m wondering if I have other files that are causing problems in the install?

Should I only have the files from Windows? What about the wifi driver that’s missing?

What are the files I need on the USB drive to get started to install Windowms on Framework from my Mac?

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I have never had any luck doing the piecemeal approach of building a bootable Windows USB installer.

If you can install and run Wine on your Mac, try using Rufus to burn the Windows 11 ISO to USB drive.

Another way is to install VirtualBox on Mac, create and install a Windows 11 virtual machine, then use that to create the bootable USB.

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Thanks. I’ll giev it a try today and confirm when it works.

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I can’t try this to check because I don’t have a Mac, but I think the problem with the instructions in the video is likely that he chose “Master Boot Record” in Disk Utility rather than “GUID Partition Map” which I think is probably needed for the Laptop 13 to boot successfully.

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That will for sure stop any Windows 11 install in its tracks. MBR = usually translates to a Non-UEFI BIOS which also does not play well with Windows 11.

Mac is really just a modified BSD system (UNIX); wouldn’t the install guide for creating a USB via Linux still work?

Virtual Box is really easy to install (All graphical) and you could for sure make a Windows 11 USB from the Windows 11 VM under Virtual Box.

Can just delete the VM and Virtual Box when you are done. If you run into issues with Rufus making the USB. You can download the Microsoft Windows Media creator and have it format/create the USB for you too. Just need to do the workaround for not having a WiFi connection if you have an AMD Framework with the RZ616? WiFi card. There are no native drivers in Windows.

The Intel AX210/AX211 cards have native drivers though.

P.S. Welcome to the community @Craig_Baute !

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I solved the problem by using a virtual machine on my Mac to install a Windows iso.

I couldn’t figure out the wifi driver that needed to be updated. I tried installing the Framework driver update exe file but it’s not recognized or seen on the USB drive with the Windows iso. I don’t have a Ethernet connector. Solution: I plugged in my phone port to USB c on the laptop and tethered Internet. It worked quickly, everything got updated, drivers working, and I was up and running.

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