Replacing Ubuntu with Windows 8

Question

I need to reinstall Windows 8 on my machine where I've installed ubuntu 15.04. I have no DVD drive and need to run it from a USB stick. Windows supports this but I cannot run the .exe windows file that creates the usb stick for rebooting from the USB. Hope someone have an idea on how to solve this.

the site from where i can create the usb stick www.windows.microsoft.com/da-dk/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only — Jan Boldt, Dec 12 '15 at 09:53
Hi Neil, not sure if i've understood your question right, but im trying to reinstall win8 from a usb stick and trying to create the stick using the program (Windows8-setup.exe) provided by MS from their webpage also shown above — Jan Boldt, Dec 12 '15 at 10:27
If you can't download the EXE file to download the ISO, download the ISO straight instead. Windows 8 cracked ISO torrents aren't illegal as long as you still purchase the key and not the cracked one. WinUSB is Ubuntu-supported so grab them on Google too. — diamondburned, Dec 12 '15 at 10:30
The window8 came preinstalled on my machine, so i think it must be a win8 home edition — Jan Boldt, Dec 12 '15 at 10:37
For Win 8, you will have to torrent but you can get Win 10.iso here https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10ISO free, use the Win 8 licence key you have for your PC, to create a USB with an easy to use GUI follow http://askubuntu.com/questions/489546/installing-winusb-on-ubuntu-14-04 I don't know why no one has suggested this yet ?? — Mark Kirby, Dec 12 '15 at 10:39

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Dec 12 '15 at 09:52

0

You can use dd if=/path/to/iso of=/dev/sdX bs=16M Sorry to see you go.

answered Dec 12 '15 at 09:52

Wilhelm Erasmus

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Hi Wilhelm, Thank you for your reply. I'll be back and run it as dual boot. The problem is i'm complete novice to ubuntu and do not completely understand your help – Jan Boldt Dec 12 '15 at 09:56
Cool :) It's a pleasure. – Wilhelm Erasmus Dec 12 '15 at 09:56
Do you have the .iso file for windows? – Wilhelm Erasmus Dec 12 '15 at 09:57
no, i need to run a downloaded file that will create the usb stick so i can boot from the win8 startup usb stick. Its a windows8-setup.exe file and i cannot run that on my ubuntu – Jan Boldt Dec 12 '15 at 10:04
Have you tried WINE? – Wilhelm Erasmus Dec 12 '15 at 10:24
yes, that did not work – Jan Boldt Dec 12 '15 at 10:40

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Dec 12 '15 at 10:27

You could download a trial version of windows .iso and run it in a VM (Virtual Machine like Virtual Box). Then do what you need to do in the VM, if your PC will support a VM.

Windows 7 .iso download link: HERE

Windows 10 .iso download link: HERE

Virtual Box (VM): HERE

Instruction how to install Win 7 in a VM: HERE

Replacing Ubuntu with Windows 8

2 Answers2