Windows 10: Windows 10 can be pre-ordered from Amazon on USB Flash Drive

If I pre-order Windows 10 on USB Flash Drive from Amazon and it arrives on the shipping date, will the Microsoft branded flash drive be write protected to prevent erasing the original installation files preinstalled by Microsoft?

:)

 

Windows 10 on USB Flash Drive from Amazon

Amazon is starting pre-orders for Windows 10 on USB Flash Drive but nothing listed for DVD. Will it have the same write protection as the Autodesk, Dell, or other vendor specific USB flash drives used for software distribution? Will it have a vendor
specific USB controller with write protection to prevent users from formatting or deleting contents of the preloaded flash drive containing the purchased software?

 

Windows 10 on USB Flash Drive in Microsoft Store now available for pre-order

Microsoft just recently made the Windows 10 USB Flash Drive available for pre-order in the Microsoft Store website. Will the original Windows 10 USB flash drive be read-only or writable? DVD's were read-only. There are some read-only flash drives distributed
by Dell from Mentor Media, Autodesk, Farstone Total Recovery USB, etc. The retail flash drive will include both 32-bit and 64-bit software on the same drive. Is there anyone from the Microsoft MVP that can answer this question?

 

The Dell Windows 8.1 flash drives were write protected. I don't see why Microsoft wouldn't write protect the ones they produce. *Wink

 

Will the Dell flash drive be protected against diskpart clean command? Is it possible test this drive by creating the image and then attempting to restore it back using Passmark imageUSB utility?

 

This would be a nice idea. They could ship them in smaller boxes, instead of slow old cds.

 

If I buy Windows 10 on USB from Amazon, can the flash drive be updated using the Windows 10 media creation tool or will it report that the flash drive is write protected and then ask for another blank USB flash drive? Is it safe to have just the Windows 10 USB and discard the old Windows 8.1 DVD? Are there any pros and cons of USB vs DVD concerning malware and writing or erasing its preloaded contents?

 

Malware is not an issue since it comes from MS. And a USB flash drive is much faster and less prone to damage like a DVD could be.

 

Can this drive become infected if I insert the drive on the computer that is already infected?

 

Not unless it somehow has write permission to the flash drive. But I would make sure that the PC is virus free first.

 

Really if the PC is infected in anyway, you would be better off performing a clean install, its the only way to be sure.

 

For the OP. Anything can become a carrier for an infection. I am sure someone has figured out how to use Bluetooth to transfer an infection to anything that uses Bluetooth (ie car radios, Sonos, etc..).

Give it a couple of years from now, you will not be able to purchase a desktop or laptop with an installed DVD/CD drive. Everything is moving to USB as the media choice for software if unable to purchase to download.

Every retailer is now offering the USB version of Windows, so that those who have the Surface or have disabled the DVD/CD drive in an office environment, but only allows admin's to use the USB drive. It will be the quickest way to go.

 

If they don't come on a decent USB 3 drive and you don't have USB 3 on PC then it will suck.

My experience of installing OS from a variety of USB 2 drives, from 'decent' ones to 'crap' ones, is that it's painfully slow, way worse than a DVD.

USB 3 is another story, however.

 

Hi there

even USB2 is Better than a CD / DVD. If you've got really poor USB performance it's because your USB device (or the Mobo) is running at USB 1.1 speed) or it's on a USB hub shared with a USB 1.1 device (such as a keyboard or mouse) . You could also be using an unpowered hub when you should be using a powered one. Check also the USB stick is at least USB2.

If the computer is REALLY old -- it would have to be YEARS old though - none of your USB ports would be faster than 1.1.

Try updating any drivers as well.

You must be in a minority of ONE if your CD / DVD install works quicker than a USB stick.

Cheers
jimbo

 

No, in theory max USB 2 and max DVD read speeds are fairly comparable. In practice it's rare that a USB 2 flash drive gets to that level and speeds rapidly drop to a pitiful level if you're not reading large files.

Admittedly, I haven't tried installing Win 10 from USB. If the installation consists of transferring one large file it may not be too bad, otherwise f that.