Creating a Windows 10 Bootable USB (for Acer ES1-411-C1WD)? What method should I use to "format"?

illumination on 05/03/2016 - 19:02
Last edited 05/03/2016 - 19:28

Hi all,

I'm trying to create a Windows 10 Bootable USB for the popular Acer ES1-411-C1WD that was posted here last year and I've got a couple of questions.

1) I've noticed from Googling that there actually is an official way to do this. I'm assuming official is always the best? I ask because I notice that in these topics about the Acer ES1-411-C1WD, there are references to Rufus.. which is supposedly really good. Would Rufus be better than using the official one?
2) When I was asked what version of Windows I wanted, I was given three choices:

  • Windows 10
  • Windows 10 N: Windows without a media player?? (according to Googling)
  • Windows 10 Single Language

My question is if I get Windows 10 N, does that mean I can just choose to install something like VLC media player and it won't come with "Windows Media Player"? I'd be fine with that! It would feel cleaner.
And even Single Language seems ok too. I wouldn't mind getting Single Language just to have a cleaner OS, and in the future if I wanted to add other languages I could just do it myself in the future? However, it doesn't seem like you could pick Single Language and N (i.e. without media player)

Finally…

3) I'm used to the old school way of formatting my computer. I'm intending to format it because since I bought this I haven't gotten rid of the bloatware. I bought a SSD back in the day intending to replace the HDD, but I realise I haven't had a need for the SSD and am happy with the HDD (and I want the storage space). Just wondering if my method of doing a "clean install" of my computer is still "current" or is there a better/easier/more efficient way?

  • Backup files that you want backed up (either to an external HDD or cloud storage)
  • Have your bootable Windows 10 USB handy
  • Restart computer with the Windows 10 USB plugged in, and re-order the booting order in BIOS to force it to boot from USB to trigger Windows installation
  • In Windows installation, choose custom, "delete" all the partitions, re-create a new partition and install Windows fresh on that
  • Once done, reinstall all necessary drivers and copy files that you want on your computer back on

Is this still the best way/most efficient way to format?

Thanks in advance!

Computing

Comments

  • giventofly on 05/03/2016 - 19:14

    I prefer Rufus. It's quicker and gives more options.

    • illumination on 05/03/2016 - 19:28

      But then I'd need to download the ISO somehow? And because it's now legit.. is there even a way to download the ISO without the media creation tool? Because the media creation tool does it automatically as part of the process.

      • altomic on 05/03/2016 - 19:51

        torrent

      • iridiumstem on 05/03/2016 - 21:59

        You can get the ISO from media creation tool without it burning ISO to USB. You have to go into DVD or something like that. I remember getting ISO few days ago doing that.

  • theclearout on 06/03/2016 - 09:54

    Here's what I found to work the best.
    Use the official method to download Windows 10 (https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/software-download/windows10I…)
    You'll also need Rufus and Gparted (or any of you're favorite tools that let you create GPT partition tables).
    When you run the Windows 10 download tool select the option for 'installing on another computer' and then download the ISO to disk….do not use the USB create function here.
    Download Rufus.
    Download GParted.
    Burn GParted to a USB stick using Rufus. Be sure to select partition type of GPT for UEFI. Note, after selecting the Gparted image check that the GPT for UEFI option is still selected before you hit start (sometimes it reverts to MBR after selecting the image you want to burn).
    Then with another USB stick (min 4GB) do the same with the Windows 10 ISO (GPT for UEFI, etc.).
    Back-up all the files you want to keep from your laptop.
    Now it's time to blow away what ever was on the laptop to start with (so be sure you have backed up what you want).
    Use the Gparted USB and boot to that.
    Follow all prompts.
    Delete all partitions on your HDD. Once all partitions are deleted create a new partition table, choosing the GPT option. Then create a new partition and as the filesystem type select 'unformatted' and execute. This will act as a prompt during the Windows installation piece. You should now have a hard disk in your laptop that is set up with GPT partition table and 1 single unformatted partition.
    Shutdown the laptop, remove the GParted USB stick and insert the Windows 10 USB stick.
    Boot to the Windows 10 USB stick.
    Let it go through it thing and when prompted select the new install option (there will be 2 listed, 1 for upgrade which will probably be the default option, and 1 below it for new install).
    After a short while it will bring you to a screen where it asks you where you want to install Windows 10 to.
    There will be a warning saying it can't install to your disk that is listed, i.e., your hard disk. This is good !
    Now, in the options select 'Delete'. This will delete the 'unformatted' partition.
    Next select 'New'. The installer will now tell you that it will also create other partitions that are required to install Windows 10.
    Note: If you had a formatted partition the installer would have tried to install Windows to it without creating the other required partitions. This would have presented many problems down the track.
    If for some reason the partition was already formatted, i.e., you did not set it to 'unformatted' using Gparted, you could still delete it at this point, however I find that using 'unformatted' acts as a prompt.
    Anyway, after that it will install and should activate without issue.

    BTW: you should really consider an SSD for the laptop.
    I'm using the same laptop (from the same deal) and now use it as my primary. Also upgraded to 4GB and it runs just fine (Windows 10 clean install using method above !)

    • illumination on 06/03/2016 - 13:20

      This sounds handy.. but I'm getting confused. It sounds too technical for me LOL
      What's the advantage of this over the method I outlined above? Your method seems to result in an additional GPT partition? What's that for?

      I did buy an SSD for the laptop last year, then realised I was actually pretty happy with this with its HDD. Fast enough for my needs + I get more storage which I want. Then I was like, I'll just buy another SSD when I want/need it in the future + it'll be cheaper by then too (sold the one that I initially bought).

      • theclearout on 06/03/2016 - 21:38

        Nah, it's a single GPT partition on a GPT partition table, but heh do what what you want….I don't think it's too technical for you…

        • illumination on 06/03/2016 - 21:51

          Sorry.. I clearly don't have a clue what you're saying..

          I have just done a quick google of GPT and it's not making it any clearer for me. Is this GPT method different to the usual method that people use? From googling it seems GPT is often compared to MBR. I have no idea what method I have been using, or what the method I outlined in my OP is..

          But the reason I said you end up with an additional GPT partition is because from the instructions you've outlined, it sounds like you're creating two partitions where I would normally only create one.

          i.e. in my method, I only end up with C:\ and that's all. If I want a D:\ or E:\ then it's up to me to create more partitions and allocate space accordingly, whereas you mention a GPT partition that's being created + an unformatted partition (which I would assume becomes C:\ with Windows)

        • scrimshaw on 06/03/2016 - 22:21

          @illumination:

          MBR (Master Boot Record) and GPT (GUID Partition Table) are two different ways of storing the partitioning information on a drive.

          This information includes where partitions start and begin, so your operating system knows which sectors belong to each partition and which partition is bootable.

          This is why you have to choose MBR or GPT before creating partitions on a drive. Now unless you want to stick in very large > 2TB+ drive into your laptop, your choice of either MBR or GPT does not really matter.

          If you would like to know more about the pros and cons of MBR versus GPT, read here

          How as to how you should go about reinstalling windows, there's an easy guide written here
          http://www.howtogeek.com/224342/how-to-clean-install-windows…

  • [Deactivated] on 06/03/2016 - 10:12

    Format USB to FAT32 -> Copy content of ISO to disk

    UEFI simplifies many things

    Windows 10 N has a different license, and is sold in EU countries where Microsoft got told off for monopolizing the market with IE/Outlook Express/WMP. You can't install it with your Australian brought license key

    • illumination on 06/03/2016 - 13:23

      Ah so I can't even use Windows 10 N. Ok I will avoid it then.
      Do you know much about Windows 10 Single Language? I could just install other langauges that I might want in the future right?

      • [Deactivated] on 08/03/2016 - 10:15

        Yes, but its not an "officially supported" process.

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