Yes, you can purchase Windows 11 pre-installed on a USB drive.
Yes, you can purchase Windows 11 pre-installed on a USB drive.
I don’t believe that. The only USB information I’ve encountered comes from an Amazon listing, which mainly sells used units. Since of this, it’s more practical to produce your own copy by adhering to Microsoft’s guidelines (as noted in OhioYJ’s response about buying ready-made USBs). You could also build your own Windows 11 media using a personal flash drive. For this you just need internet access, a friend or family computer, and at least 8GB of storage. If you don’t already have a USB stick, suitable alternatives are available for under $10 USD. (Reminder: Buy from trusted sources and opt for a USB 3.0 model if possible for faster setup.)
Edited January 7, 2024 by pilotalco
Corrected, thanks OhioYJ
Everyone else has mentioned it: obtain a personal USB drive (minimum 16GB, but go wild if you can) and utilize the official tool Microsoft offers at no cost. It’s probably more affordable and simpler, as you won’t need to input payment details or any other information.
It seems Win11 can run without a keyboard, though it will display an activation watermark and limit some features.
I've never seen a watermark on any Windows version, just the limited custom settings that I believe can be changed using Winaero Tweaker. I don’t wait for anything, I always turn it on when installing or after installation.
It might involve a nation adjusting its policies or a subtle legal adjustment in the gray zone.