Operating System Installation Overview

Media for Installation

• USB Drive
  • Create a bootable USB drive using utilities across different OS.
  • Configure BIOS to boot from USB.
• Optical Drive
  • Use a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM for older systems.

Enterprise Installations

• PXE (Pre-boot Execution Environment)
  • Install OS across the network.
  • Use a centralized server with installation files.

Other Installation Methods

• Hard Drive or SSD
  • Install OS files onto internal or external drives.
• Internet Downloads
  • Update files directly from the internet (common in Linux, macOS, Windows updates).
• External Drives
  • Use external or hot-swappable drives to install OS.

Installation Types

• In-Place Upgrade
  • Upgrades OS version while keeping applications and data.
• Clean Install
  • Deletes all data on partition; recommended to back up files.
• Image Deployment
  • Use an image for multiple computers in corporate settings.
• Repair Installation
  • Reinstalls OS over existing for troubleshooting.

Network and Remote Installations

• Facilitate installations through network without physical media.

Drivers and Hardware

• Possible need to install drivers during OS installation for hardware compatibility.

Partitioning Overview

• Partition Basics
  • Logical separation on drives for OS or data organization.
• GPT (GUID Partition Table)
  • Supports up to 128 partitions.
  • Large maximum partition and drive size.
• MBR (Master Boot Record)
  • Limited to 4 primary partitions.
  • Supports extended partitions for additional non-bootable partitions.

Partition Creation and Management

• Partition Choices
  • Decide between using existing partitions or creating new ones.
• Backup Important Data
  • Ensure data backup before modifying partitions.

File System Formatting

• Quick Format
  • Creates file table, doesn’t overwrite data.
  • Default in Windows 10/11 installations.
• Full Format
  • Overwrites all data with zeros.
• Tools
  • Use diskpart for full formatting.