Solved Windows 11 Full Packaged Product

Keith Weisshar · Sep 29, 2021

Will I be able to purchase Windows 11 Full Packaged Product on official Microsoft read-only USB drive from retailers after October 5, 2021? USB flash drives have no write protect switches like in the old days of floppy disks. They provision the preloaded USB flash drive as read-only at the factory level using proprietary tools. I have an old retail packaged version of Windows 10 v1809 and it requires a long upgrade path to 20H2 and then 21H1 and then I need to join the beta channel to get Windows 11 22000.194 because even release preview channel didn't work. That took several hours through Windows Update because it has to go through two full builds plus cumulative updates. Once Windows 11 is released on October 5, 2021 and I leave the insider program, will I be able to go directly from Windows 10 v1809 to Windows 11 using the Upgrade this PC option on the new Media Creation Tool? When I go through the multiple upgrade paths I ended up with obsolete 499 MB recovery partition, 99 MB EFI system partition, 1861.87 GB Windows partition, and a new 561MB recovery partition.

CornishRattler · Sep 30, 2021

Can you not just download the W11 ISO and clean install it rather than mess about like that, assuming your machine is compatible that is

Keith Weisshar · Sep 30, 2021

Will the new Media Creation Tool remove the 32/64 bit drop down menu since Windows 11 is 64-bit only?

CornishRattler · Sep 30, 2021

Keith Weisshar said:
Will the new Media Creation Tool remove the 32/64 bit drop down menu since Windows 11 is 64-bit only?

Would assume so, if you download the official W11 ISO insider builds there is no option of 32bit versions

cereberus · Sep 30, 2021

Keith Weisshar said:
Will the new Media Creation Tool remove the 32/64 bit drop down menu since Windows 11 is 64-bit only?

Yes.

CB · Sep 30, 2021

@Keith Weisshar

Just some thought.
After 5 Oct or when its ISO available it's better to do a clean install. Once you had signed up with Microsoft on Windows 10 it will retain your licence associated with your account. When you sign in with the account then your WIndows 11 is activated.

CB

jbcarreon123 · Sep 30, 2021

@Keith Weisshar

1. MCT for 11 will remove the dropdown menu, because 11 is 64-bit only.
2. Retailers may get it at around year 2022.
3. Recovery partition are included because this is the contents of that:
- WinRE files
- Restore Points (probably)

4. Windows 11 may be available on Oct 5, it may be available for upgrade on 2022.

cereberus · Sep 30, 2021

jbcarreon123 said:
@Keith Weisshar

1. MCT for 11 will remove the dropdown menu, because 11 is 64-bit only.
2. Retailers may get it at around year 2022.
3. Recovery partition are included because this is the contents of that:
- WinRE files
- Restore Points (probably)
View attachment 8743
4. Windows 11 may be available on Oct 5, it may be available for upgrade on 2022.

You will be able to upgrade on October 5th. MS usually phase automatic upgrades based on passing hardware checks, but you can select to manually update from Oct 5th. There is a risk if you do it manually, before MS offer it automatically, thinlgs could crap out, so it is essential to make an image backup first.

Keith Weisshar · Oct 9, 2021

Windows 11 has already been released but there are no retail box versions on Microsoft.com or any other retailers. These retail version would be needed for Mac users building a new Windows 11 PC. How long will it take for the retail versions to be released? Newegg is now listing Windows 11 OEM version with a coming soon status at Operating Systems | Windows 10 Home, Pro, OEM - Newegg.com but no retail version.

BunnyJ · Oct 9, 2021

Keith Weisshar said:
Windows 11 has already been released but there are no retail box versions on Microsoft.com or any other retailers. These retail version would be needed for Mac users building a new Windows 11 PC. How long will it take for the retail versions to be released? Newegg is now listing Windows 11 OEM version with a coming soon status at Operating Systems | Windows 10 Home, Pro, OEM - Newegg.com but no retail version.

Hard to say since 11 is just out and MS is offering a free upgrade to compliant devices. I doubt MS is interested in helping Mac users.

Winuser · Oct 9, 2021

Keith Weisshar said:
Windows 11 has already been released but there are no retail box versions on Microsoft.com or any other retailers. These retail version would be needed for Mac users building a new Windows 11 PC. How long will it take for the retail versions to be released? Newegg is now listing Windows 11 OEM version with a coming soon status at Operating Systems | Windows 10 Home, Pro, OEM - Newegg.com but no retail version.

Buy a legit Windows 10 key and use it to install Widows 11 from a downloaded ISO.

z3r010 · Oct 9, 2021

Scan in the UK are showing the DVD versions being due in stock 12th October - Windows 11 Pro 64Bit English OS DVD

IanMosley · Oct 9, 2021

Use the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool to create a bootable Windows 11 flash drive / DVD plus you can also download the 'official' Windows 11 .ISO.

LeLibran · Oct 9, 2021

Keith Weisshar said:
Windows 11 has already been released but there are no retail box versions on Microsoft.com or any other retailers. These retail version would be needed for Mac users building a new Windows 11 PC. How long will it take for the retail versions to be released? Newegg is now listing Windows 11 OEM version with a coming soon status at Operating Systems | Windows 10 Home, Pro, OEM - Newegg.com but no retail version.

If this means you intend to build a physical Windows PC, you could download a Windows 11 Iso using your Mac and create your own USB Windows installation media - Balena Etcher (Freeware) is a popular option for creating DVD or USB installation media. It's NOT possible to use the Windows Media Creation Tool unless you already have access to a Windows System. You could then install Windows on your new PC without an Activation Key and, after the installation successfully completes, you should be able use Settings > System > Activation to be directed to the Microsoft Store to make the activation purchase online.

BunnyJ · Oct 9, 2021

IanMosley said:
Use the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool to create a bootable Windows 11 flash drive / DVD plus you can also download the 'official' Windows 11 .ISO.

Correct and make use of a Win10 key and the user is all set