Darn. Clean reinstall on MSI PRO DP21 12M went amiss. Help please.

RDG · Nov 10, 2024

I used Rufus and downloaded the iso file from Microsoft. I know somewhere in the steps I was following I was instructed to clear whatever was in the partitions. During the setup, an internet connection was required and since I was not connected via ethernet I had to download a wireless driver from the manufacturer's website. So ultimately I was able to set up Windows without the need for a Microsoft account, but the manufacturer's privacy agreement screen continues to pop up but cannot be activated and thus, satisfied. Previously I had been able to use a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, but while the process could spot them, the second I selected the device, I would get an error message and the device would disappear from the list. Per instructions from their tech support, I downloaded an number of drivers and installed them, but this has created additional problems (one is that Realtek's setup.exe file is in the temp directory and I can't delete it so each time I boot, it starts the the installation program again. So, now that I've made a hash of this effort, before I do another clean install, is there anyway to prevent these problems? Also, the iso from Microsoft is for the home edition, not pro. Is that the only version I can use? I sure hope you can point me in the right direction. Thanks. Oh, I'm not at that computer so can't say what the Win version is but computer info from specs https://us.msi.com/Business-Productivity-PC/PRO-DP21-12M/Specification

glasskuter · Nov 10, 2024

RDG said:
During the setup, an internet connection was required

You could have bypassed it- step 16 third screenshot Clean Install Windows 11 Tutorial
This is also the step that tells you how to set up a local account.

However, it's much easier when you create your media using Rufus, to set your Rufus options so that Rufus creates a local account for you.
Option 2 Step 6 here Create Windows 11 Bootable USB Installation Media Tutorial

RDG said:
I had been able to use a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse

ALWAYS use use usb KB & mouse to do a clean install with all other devices disconnected. I also disconnect all other drives except the system drive. Once windows becomes live, then install BT. Too many reports floating around of BT being missing after an install when done any other way.

RDG said:
Also, the iso from Microsoft is for the home edition, not pro. Is that the only version I can use?

Download the iso directly from Microsoft. Scroll down to "Download Window 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices."
Click the drop arrow select Windows 11 Multi-edition iso. The install process will automatically install whatever version of Windows agrees with the OEM key stored in UEFI bios.

Download Windows 11

SpiritWolfe · Nov 10, 2024

First off, the Windows 11 SETUP.exe has ALL available versions all rolled into one. It all depends on the Windows key that you purchased & from whom.

Provided that you have a Windows 11Pro key you need to follow these steps first when you get to the activation part of Windows 11:

How to upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro version from Windows 10/11:

Windows 11 Home --> Professional version:

1. Disconnect the internet connection on your device.
2. Press Windows key + I, then go to System > Activation > Change product key.
3. Then use the generic key below to upgrade to Windows 11 Pro:

VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T

Once you have upgraded to Windows 11 Pro, connect your internet to the device, and then use your valid Windows 11 Pro product key to activate the system.

@glasskuter - I did download that particular Multi-edition ISO from Microsoft, but when I entered my Key (which I knew I purchased a Pro key), it gave me an error stating I had the wrong key.

So, I had to do the aforementioned so that SETUP.exe knew that I wanted Windows 11 Pro installed. Otherwise SETUP.exe makes an "informed" decision based upon your hardware, usually the Home edition.

Cheers!

RDG · Nov 10, 2024

glasskuter said:
You could have bypassed it- step 16 third screenshot Clean Install Windows 11 Tutorial
This is also the step that tells you how to set up a local account.
So I could have just pressed enter or escape and gotten past that? I don't recall seeing a "next" option but perhaps did not see it.
However, it's much easier when you create your media using Rufus, to set your Rufus options so that Rufus creates a local account for you.
Option 2 Step 6 here Create Windows 11 Bootable USB Installation Media Tutorial
I did use Rufus with local account option.

ALWAYS use use usb KB & mouse to do a clean install with all other devices disconnected. Other than monitor and flash drive from which I was doing the install, I only had keyboard and mouse connected. I also disconnect all other drives except the system drive. Once windows becomes live, then install BT. Too many reports floating around of BT being missing after an install when done any other way. I did not attempt installing the Bluetooth keyboard and mouse until the following day.

Download the iso directly from Microsoft. Scroll down to "Download Window 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices."
Click the drop arrow select Windows 11 Multi-edition iso. The install process will automatically install whatever version of Windows agrees with the OEM key stored in UEFI bios. I believe I downloaded the correct iso file so it was/is the computer's hardware that determined the edition/version. I'll have another go at it and this time know to skip using the MSI wireless driver. Is there a generic wireless driver to use thereafter or when I reboot will it just be there? Same for Bluetooth? All provided by the Windows version just installed? I do have an extra long ethernet cable that I could use to hook it up temporarily, if necessary.

glasskuter said:
Download Windows 11

SpiritWolfe · Nov 10, 2024

If you do not have a viable clean exFAT formatted USB drive I would make one & put that ISO on it.

I would reinstall a clean version of Windows 11; offline.

Then follow those steps I posted.

Cheers!

SpiritWolfe · Nov 10, 2024

Do you have a cheap, inexpensive USB mouse & keyboard that is PC compatible? I keep one around just for those quirky times where I cannot get my goto keyboard & mouse working when I do a clean Windows installation. Sometimes Windows' generic OEM initial drivers are not quite compatible with the end user's choice of mouse & keyboard combinations.

Also, if you have access to another computer, it might behoove you to go to your computer's peripheral websites & download all the current drivers to have available for offline install.

I like having everything I need to do a clean installation of Windows OS without having to resort to the internet.

Windows has a funny way of abnormally introducing the WAU Manager while I am trying to install my drivers & particular software first. So I keep my computer offline until then...

Cheers!

RDG · Nov 10, 2024

SpiritWolfe said:
First off, the Windows 11 SETUP.exe has ALL available versions all rolled into one. It all depends on the Windows key that you purchased & from whom.

Provided that you have a Windows 11Pro key you need to follow these steps first when you get to the activation part of Windows 11:

@glasskuter - I did download that particular Multi-edition ISO from Microsoft, but when I entered my Key (which I knew I purchased a Pro key), it gave me an error stating I had the wrong key.

So, I had to do the aforementioned so that SETUP.exe knew that I wanted Windows 11 Pro installed. Otherwise SETUP.exe makes an "informed" decision based upon your hardware, usually the Home edition.

Cheers!

Odd, your original message is not the same as what is in the quote! But, no I don't have a pro key but my other PC came with WinPro. This one came with the Home Edition.

RDG · Nov 10, 2024

SpiritWolfe said:
If you do not have a viable clean exFAT formatted USB drive I would make one & put that ISO on it.

I would reinstall a clean version of Windows 11; offline.

Then follow those steps I posted.

Cheers!

I believe the flash drive I created with the iso file and rufus was done correctly.

RDG · Nov 10, 2024

SpiritWolfe said:
Do you have a cheap, inexpensive USB mouse & keyboard that is PC compatible? I keep one around just for those quirky times where I cannot get my goto keyboard & mouse working when I do a clean Windows installation. Sometimes Windows' generic OEM initial drivers are not quite compatible with the end user's choice of mouse & keyboard combinations.

I used a wired keyboard and mouse for the installation. I was trying to add the Bluetooth devices the following day..

SpiritWolfe · Nov 10, 2024

RDG said:
Odd, your original message is not the same as what is in the quote! But, no I don't have a pro key but my other PC came with WinPro. This one came with the Home Edition.

You have the Multi-edition SETUP.exe ISO. SO, all you have to do is purchase a Window 11 Pro key & follow those offline steps I gave to you for Windows 11 Pro install...

Cheers!

RDG · Nov 10, 2024

SpiritWolfe said:
You have the Multi-edition SETUP.exe ISO. SO, all you have to do is purchase a Window 11 Pro key & follow those offline steps I gave to you for Windows 11 Pro install...

Cheers!

It would be nice if the OS were the same on both my PC's but not worth $200! :nope:

SpiritWolfe · Nov 10, 2024

RDG said:
Odd, your original message is not the same as what is in the quote! But, no I don't have a pro key but my other PC came with WinPro. This one came with the Home Edition.

Follow the steps I posted in my thread posting here.

Just make sure you know to get your Pro Key(s) from a reputable source. I got mine on Amazon.

SpiritWolfe · Nov 10, 2024

RDG said:
It would be nice if the OS were the same on both my PC's but not worth $200!

I am not

% positive, maybe someone else knows for sure...

I think you can use a Windows 11 Pro key on 3 computers once it is bonded to your Microsoft account.

When searching Google some answers I found say no. Others say up to 3 ~ 5 computers.

Cheers!

glasskuter · Nov 10, 2024

RDG said:
But, no I don't have a pro key but my other PC came with WinPro. This one came with the Home Edition.

There you go. That's why Home was installed. The installation process read the OEM key stored in UEFI and installed its matching version of WIndows.

glasskuter · Nov 10, 2024

SpiritWolfe said:
I think you can use a Windows 11 Pro key on 3 computers once it is bonded to your Microsoft account

Where in the world did you come up with that idea? Read the licensing agreement.

glasskuter · Nov 10, 2024

Something else I just thought about @RDG. Normally with a windows Home install using a MS account, your drive is encrypted by default with it's unlock key stored in your MS account. Since you installed with a local account it's not supposed to be enabled but I always check anyway so verify just to make sure. If it happens to be enabled, disable device encryption. I'd hate to see you get locked out of your drive without a key to unlock it. Call me paranoid, but I'm a better safe than sorry kind of gal since things don't always happen like they're supposed to. Turn On or Off Device Encryption in Windows 11 Tutorial

This is one of the options you can control when creating install media with Rufus.

abactuon · Nov 10, 2024

Install the Home version. You can upgrade to the Pro version later.
It is also not necessary to create a local account right away.

RDG · Nov 10, 2024

glasskuter said:
Something else I just thought about @RDG. Normally with a windows Home install using a MS account, your drive is encrypted by default with it's unlock key stored in your MS account. Since you installed with a local account it's not supposed to be enabled but I always check anyway so verify just to make sure. If it happens to be enabled, disable device encryption. I'd hate to see you get locked out of your drive without a key to unlock it. Call me paranoid, but I'm a better safe than sorry kind of gal since things don't always happen like they're supposed to. Turn On or Off Device Encryption in Windows 11 Tutorial

This is one of the options you can control when creating install media with Rufus.

Grateful for the tip. My todo lists, once executed, often appear to have had the purpose of demonstrating just how many things can go wrong! Murphy's Law.

RDG · Nov 10, 2024

abactuon said:
Install the Home version. You can upgrade to the Pro version later.
It is also not necessary to create a local account right away.
View attachment 115869

I don't really need WinPro, but having learned how (thanks to all the help here) to set it up on my other PC, it would just be easier. Thanks anyway.

RDG · Nov 11, 2024

glasskuter said:
You could have bypassed it- step 16 third screenshot Clean Install Windows 11 Tutorial
This is also the step that tells you how to set up a local account.

However, it's much easier when you create your media using Rufus, to set your Rufus options so that Rufus creates a local account for you.
Option 2 Step 6 here Create Windows 11 Bootable USB Installation Media Tutorial

ALWAYS use use usb KB & mouse to do a clean install with all other devices disconnected. I also disconnect all other drives except the system drive. Once windows becomes live, then install BT. Too many reports floating around of BT being missing after an install when done any other way.

Download the iso directly from Microsoft. Scroll down to "Download Window 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices."
Click the drop arrow select Windows 11 Multi-edition iso. The install process will automatically install whatever version of Windows agrees with the OEM key stored in UEFI bios.

Download Windows 11

I tried a clean install again and since there was no way to bypass the wireless setup, guessed, correctly, that I had not set up Rufus correctly, so I redid that. But my problems are not over. I was not promted for the wireless drivers BUT, looks like I'll need to connect via an ethernet cable because there is no way to tell Windows I want to connect wirelessly and get it to prompt me for the needed driver that I can discover. Or is there? ARRRGGGGHHHHH! In preparation for this, is there a generic wireless driver to install? I don't want to end up with the ghost of the MSI Center popping up forever. Thanks.

Darn. Clean reinstall on MSI PRO DP21 12M went amiss. Help please.

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