Hi, new linux user here. I chose Zorin OS to be my gateway to linux.
But i’ve got some skill issues () with this choice and i also want to use some Windows things. So i decided to install Zorin OS on a secondary laptop (which will benefit more from a lighter system) and revert Zorin from the main machine to Windows 11.
But, to my surprise, the same method with which i installed Zorin OS TWICE simply didn’t work to delete Zorin and put Windows in its place. All the tutorials on the internet say the same things: Windows ISO > Bootable USB > Reboot the pc > Install Windows. But, i don’t know why, it doesn’t work.
I tried Windows 10, i tried Windows 11,i tried Ventoy, i tried Microsoft formatting tool, i tried Rufus, tried both MBR and GPT, i tried both FAT32 and NTFS, i started to suspect that my new USB stick was broken, than i bought another one. And it still doesn’t work.
The main pc still works normally with Zorin OS, but when i try to boot/install Windows, it just stays on a black screen for a few more seconds than normal until suddenly Zorin boots.
I need to format this PC ANYWAY and have windows installed. I already backed up everything i needed and the Zorin OS is already on my secondary laptop. I just can’t change the OS of the main one :(.
Do you still have the installation USB for Zorin? If so, boot into live mode and run GParted. Now, if you have a swap area installed, unmount it first then delete. Then select all other partitions and select delete, then apply your changes. This will leave nothing on the hard drive. Next, create a fresh FAT32 partition of 512 Mb for /boot/efi and apply. Power off the machine, boot into BIOS and reenable Fast Boot and Secure Boot and if your BIOS supports it re-enable TPM 2.0 for Windows 11. Finally use your Windows install media.
To start the USB Stick with Windows on, plug it in, go into the BIOS and start it from there.
As an alternative, you should have a Button for the Boot Menu. Push it when Your PC turns on until the Boot Order Menu appears and navigate with the Arrow Keys the Windows USB Stick and press Enter.
When you boot with the USB with Win 11, be sure to go into BIOS boot order setting and choose USB with EFI in the list. You may see two entries, one with EFI and one without. I have a Ventoy USB creation with Hirencs Boot CD on it but it won't boot unless I choose USB with EFI.
) with this choice and i also want to use some Windows things. So i decided to install Zorin OS on a secondary laptop (which will benefit more from a lighter system) and revert Zorin from the main machine to Windows 11.