Can this be used on Linux?

[skwzrd]

I have an SSD I would like to install Windows on, but I don't have a Windows OS to execute the Powershell script with. Can M-A-S be used on Linux to install Windows on an SSD (connected via USB)?

[thecatontheceiling]

MAS isn't a Windows installer.
It's main purpose is activating it for free when it is already installed.

[skwzrd]

Thanks for clarifying that.

[skwzrd]

For any one else that stumbles across this question, here is how you can get Windows 10 Pro for free if you only have a Linux OS available.

1. Download WoeUSB, https://github.com/WoeUSB/WoeUSB/releases
2. Install its dependencies (I only had to install wimtools via sudo apt install wimtools)
3. Download the Windows ISO from https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows10ISO
4. Run WoeUSB against the USB/SSD, for example sudo ./woeusb-5.2.4.bash --device /path/to/Win10_22H2_English_x64v1.iso /dev/sdX
   • Note: Set your ISO path and your device.
5. Get a SSD or HDD for the Windows OS and plug it into your computer's SATA port. A USB will not work.
6. Plug in the WoeUSB formatted device.
7. Boot and go through the Windows 10 installation process.

Congrats, you will now have a valid, activated digital license for Windows 10 Pro.

The WoeUSB output should be something like:

glish_x64v1.iso /dev/sdb
WoeUSB v5.2.4
==============================
Info: Mounting source filesystem...
Info: Wiping all existing partition table and filesystem signatures in /dev/sdb...
/dev/sdb: 8 bytes were erased at offset 0x00000200 (gpt): 45 46 49 20 50 41 52 54
/dev/sdb: 8 bytes were erased at offset 0x739fffe00 (gpt): 45 46 49 20 50 41 52 54
/dev/sdb: 2 bytes were erased at offset 0x000001fe (PMBR): 55 aa
/dev/sdb: calling ioctl to re-read partition table: Success
Info: Ensure that /dev/sdb is really wiped...
Info: Creating new partition table on /dev/sdb...
Info: Creating target partition...
Info: Making system realize that partition table has changed...
Info: Wait 3 seconds for block device nodes to populate...
mkfs.fat 4.2 (2021-01-31)
mkfs.fat: Warning: lowercase labels might not work properly on some systems
Info: Mounting target filesystem...
Info: Copying files from source media...
Splitting WIM: 4903 MiB of 4903 MiB (100%) written, part 2 of 26%
Finished splitting "./sources/install.wim"
Info: Installing GRUB bootloader for legacy PC booting support...
Installing for i386-pc platform.                            # <-------------- Note: this part can take some time, be patient.
Installation finished. No error reported.
Info: Installing custom GRUB config for legacy PC booting...
Info: Done :)
Info: The target device should be bootable now
Info: Unmounting and removing "/tmp/woeusb-source-20231104-105415-Saturday.ykuZnT"...
Info: Unmounting and removing "/tmp/woeusb-target-20231104-105415-Saturday.RH6lVi"...
Info: You may now safely detach the target device