The process of Windows installation is straight forward. For the rig with 8xVEGA cards I recommend at least 120GB SSD drive (8 cards x 8G VRAM = 64G swap file + min. 30G for Windows itself). Please remember that during the installation all of your data from the drive will be erased.

Before starting installation process you have to disable network on your PC, just unplug Ethernet cable and/or switch off Wi-Fi adapter. Windows may/should try to download updates during installation and this may lead to unpredictable results. You'll be able to enable network connection after completely disabling windows update mechanism

Insert bootable USB drive with Windows installation into your PC and boot from it. Probably, you have to change BIOS settings in Boot section to be able to boot from USB drive. It may be a tricky task and depends on particular model of motherboard and BIOS version.

STEP 0. First step

Disconnect your PC from network (see warning message above)

STEP 1. Locale settings

If you need other language then you have to select it at “Media creation tool Step 5”

  1. Click “Next” button

It's possible to install any additional language later. I would recommende to complete installation steps with English and switch to your preferred language after that. Here is an excellent instruction on how to install additional interface languages for Windows 10.

Install Windows

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STEP 2. Confirm installation

  1. Click “Install now” button

Install Windows

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STEP 3. Product key

3.1. If you have a key then type it in the input field and click “Next” button 3.2. Or just click the blue text “I don't have a product key” if you don't have one. You will be able to activate Windows later in this case.

Install Windows

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STEP 4. Select edition

This is the only valid choice you have - Operating system: Windows10 Pro, Architecture: x64. Otherwise you'll be not able to run mining software on it.

  1. Click “Next” button

Install Windows

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STEP 5. License terms

I'm happy that they don't put such a window before every step…

  1. Click the checkbox and then “Next” button

Install Windows

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STEP 6. Type of installation

We need more control on installation process.

  1. Click the text: “Custom: Install windows only (advanced)”

Install Windows

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STEP 7. Disk preparation

If your disk was used before then you have to delete all existing partitions on it. Select them one by one and click “Delete” button, until you get one unallocated free space.

  1. Click “Next” button and wait. It may take some time, just be patient.

Install Windows

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Install Windows

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STEP 8. Select region

All setting from this step up may be changed later in control panel of Windows itself.

  1. Correct the default region if you need and click “Yes” button

Install Windows

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STEP 9. Keyboard layout

  1. Correct the default keyboard if you need and click “Yes” button.

Install Windows

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STEP 10. Secondary keyboard

If you are living in a country with national alphabet different from Latin one (Hebrew, Cyrillic, Arabic, Chinese, etc.) then you may want to add secondary keyboard at this step.

  1. Add a secondary keyboard if you need or just click “Skip” button

Install Windows

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Coffee brake

Install Windows

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Install Windows

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STEP 11. Account type

Try to share with MS as little as possible. Use local account and enjoy full control over your rig.

  1. Select “Set up for personal use” and click “Next” button. Click “Offline account” at next screen.

Install Windows

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Install Windows

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STEP 12. Account type (continue)

No thank you! Just get out of my way with your time and money stealing services.

  1. Click “No” button

Install Windows

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STEP 13. User name

  1. Type your user name here and click “Next” button

Install Windows

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STEP 14. Password

  1. Enter really strong password (no 1234 or something like that). Click “Next” button

Install Windows

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STEP 15. Confirm password

  1. Retype your password and click “Next” button

Install Windows

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STEP 16. Security questions

It's a security risk to provide easy to guess answers. Just enter some meaningless garbage here and forget about it.

  1. Click “Next” button

Install Windows

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STEP 17. Cortana

Cortana is a super hungry hog and wasteful piece of crap, you definitely don't need it at your mining rig. We'll disable it completely later, but for now just say No.

  1. Click “No” button

Install Windows

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STEP 18. Privacy settings

Say NO to all questions here as shown on the screenshot. Unfortunately, it has almost no effect since Windows will continue to collect usage statistic and send it back to Redmond (we will disable it completely later).

  1. Click “Accept” button

Install Windows

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STEP 19. Last step

Just wait. Your PC will be rebooted automatically. After successful login continue to the next step "Windows tuning"

Install Windows

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