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I am Linux user and currently there is no Windows* PC s available to me . I just want to experience the Windows 8 I have a Windows 8 Image/files I have a running Ubuntu PC I have an 8 GB USB disk I want to install Windows in a old PC which doesn't have support for UEFI boot. Is there any solution available ?

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1 Answer 1

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In Non-UEFI machines, we can use GRUB2 to make USB stick bootable. Then, we can use 'ntldr' command in the GRUB2 to boot Windows from USB.

  • Enable the boot flag on the target partition of the USB. It can be easily done with the use of the tool called "GParted". It is a GUI tool for drive partitioning .
  • If the installation image is a ISO file, Mount it and access the files.
  • Copy the all files to root of USB drive
  • Install GRUB to USB Drive.

    grub-install --target=i386-pc --boot-directory="/media/user/MyUSBDrive/boot" /dev/sdX
    
  • Configure GRUB to boot Widows.

    Place the following file as "/boot/grub/grub.cfg" in the USB dirve

    set menu_color_normal=white/black
    set menu_color_highlight=black/light-gray
    menuentry 'Install Windows 8' {
     ntldr /bootmgr
    }
    

See complete answer at my blog Creating a bootable windows USB from Linux

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  • Could you please include the essential parts from the blog post directly in your answer? It is better to include the information directly and leave the link as a source. Apr 10, 2015 at 19:02
  • This is NOT the recommended approach, as using UEFI (secure boot) provides additional security to prevent many attacks to Windows (a target of choice for malware/attackers). You may need to borrow use of a friends Windows PC, to create your install media. PS. I have tried a method to create a UEFI install for Windows 7 Pro, but it did not work correctly (for reasons unknown).
    – david6
    Apr 10, 2015 at 21:29
  • @ david6 : In this case , Target PC is an old one. It doesn't have EUFI support. So UEFI, will not work.
    – harish2704
    Apr 11, 2015 at 3:21

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