Windows 7 installation via bootable USB fails on Linux Mint but succeeds on a regular PC.
Windows 7 installation via bootable USB fails on Linux Mint but succeeds on a regular PC.
You’re facing a common challenge when switching between Linux distributions. Since your laptop was previously running Windows 7, you’ll need to ensure the correct boot configuration. After adjusting the BIOS boot order, test the USB on a Windows 10 machine—this confirms the issue is with your hardware setup. Since disabling Secure Boot and UEFI Boot didn’t help, try removing those settings in the BIOS or consider using a different USB drive if possible. For Linux, you might need to use a live USB with a bootloader like GRUB to install Windows 7, or explore compatibility tools if you want to run Windows alongside Linux. Let me know what you find!
Determining whether the Linux Mint laptop runs old-school BIOS or modern UEFI depends on its original setup. If it originally came with Windows 7 and lacks Secure Boot and UEFI support, it likely uses BIOS. On the other hand, a Windows 10 installation would probably use UEFI. Ensure Rufus is configured for BIOS mode. The partition layout should be adjusted to MBR, and the system should be set to BIOS. If needed, use tools like ImgBurn to copy the ISO directly to the USB drive. After installing Windows 7, you’ll need to recreate the MBR partition scheme so it functions as a regular USB drive.