Installing Windows over Linux on Optiplex 980

Re: I would like to install Windows, ideally Windows 10, over Linux and then reinstall Linux afterwards for Dual Booting as I will need both.

980 has Q57 chipset and gen 1 i3/5/7 cpu.

download Windows 10 installation media, run it, choose usb option to prepare a bootable usb.  Enter bios and choose legacy mode. Save and Restart, press F12 and boot from usb.  Choose custom option, delete all existing partition on hdd, create new partition, format, proceed to install.

Hi

Thanks for your response 

Unfortunately, I cannot run installation medua as my machine is Linux and doesn't recognise .exe files

I need a way to make a bootable usb drive

Use an OEM Windows 10 DVD

Make sure the DVD is inserted then restart and F12 boot DVD

https://www.newegg.com/microsoft-windows-10-pro-64-bit-reinstall-recovery-disc-only-no-license-key-included/p/N82E16832350238

Erase the Drive as windows wont work with EXTF  partitions etc.

Dual Boot should have Windows 10 first. Then you re size partition to add Linux alongside windows.

Although 10 is not supported there are no issues when clean installing from DVD where sata operation is set to AHCI.

You F12 boot from the DVD and Erase all partitions and clean install 10.

You can then Install Linux ALONGSIDE windows.

There is support for this.  The support is not free.

https://ubuntu.com/pricing

https://www.redhat.com/en/store/linux-platforms

https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000124139

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag8apC9cCOA

Generic Keys can be used to INSTALL but not to activate.

VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T (Win10 Pro)
YTMG3-N6DKC-DKB77-7M9GH-8HVX7 (Win10 Home)

After installing base windows and getting online you activate by

Changing the key to Home or Pro depending on what the COA has.

THIS DOES NOT WORK for XP/VISTA keys.

All the drivers are for 7 but work fine for 10

https://dl.dell.com/FOLDER01381416M/1/980-win7-A08-W1XNF.CAB

Once windows is installed you download the cab file and move to the

my documents folder.

Then install 7zip

https://www.7-zip.org/download.html

Then extract the cab contents by Right Click on the cab file and 7zip EXTRACT HERE

Then scan for hardware changes in device manager while offline and say update drivers from my PC not from the internet.

Great answer. Many thanks for this.

I think I need to buy an OEM DVD as as don't possess one and from what I understand, it doesn't seem possible to install from USB drive. I'll see if I cam make a bootable DVD/CD from Win10 ISO

Re: I cannot run installation medua as my machine is Linux and doesn't recognise .exe files. I need a way to make a bootable usb drive

yes you need another desktop or laptop to download Microsoft Windows 10 install media, which will enable you to make a bootable usb drive.  you can do this on any pc running Windows os.  If you don’t have one, go to local library or a friend’s place to do it. If not practical, install any old Windows os such as Win 7 in your only pc as temporary os to make a bootable usb.  you can also burn a bootable Win 10 installation dvd using the media.  It gives option to create usb or save .iso file to burn dvd.  note usb needs to be at least 8 gb, dvd blank needs to be DL.