Nothing wrong with Pop OS, but I assume you could still install Windows without activating it, install the drivers, then activate online.

The trouble is you need network access to end up at the desktop to install the network drivers in the expected manner. Both of the ways I am aware of resolving the issue involve dropping to a command prompt. One method is to run the device driver installer from the command prompt. The other method is to run the bypassnro script from the OOBE directory, to get to the desktop to install the driver. There are probably other ways, but given that most search results talk about non-official ways (which I place less faith in, frequently don't work, and are more complex anyhow) I don't see how most people would get around the problem.

In contrast, most desktop oriented Linux distributions have a simpler installer and provide at least enough hardware support to leave you at a functional desktop. (There may be issues with more esoteric hardware, but chances are that hardware wouldn't work under Windows until vendor supplied drivers are installed anyhow.)

That won't work. Windows won't let you finish the installation process unless you connect to the internet so you can't get the PC to a point where you could install the drivers.

The official solution[1] is to slipstream network drivers onto the Windows image before installation.

The official solution for non-technical users is to buy a PC with Windows preinstalled.

[1] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufactu...

No need to slipstream. Just copy the drivers to install media (hopefully a writable media such as an USB pen) Latest Windows 11 has an option to select the folder with the drivers of it can't detect a WiFi device and there is no ethernet card.

That being said, I installed Windows 10 on Framework 12 by mistake and SHIFT+F10, "explorer", right-click on INF and "Install" also worked.

But on latest Windows 11 installer such witchery is not needed.

Really?

When did this come up?

I know tons of people who run Windows unactivated. The key difference is there's a watermark. Otherwise, it seems to work fine.

The problem is not activation, it's the login requirement.

Personalization options like wallpaper and color settings are disabled until activation, though I'm sure there are workarounds.

Unless they have fixed it you used to be able to change stuff really quickly after install before it locked it down due to activation.

Without unofficial bypasses of MS online account requirements you would not come to a point where activation is a concern. No internet access is not enough of a reason for MS let you use your device.

A few years back I bought win 11 pro retail on usb flash drive.

I just install and type in the key. no network.

I use it for VMs no network necessary.

Just go find the PCI IDs (lspci) and download the appropriate cabs from the Software Update Catalog. Extract them and throw them on a USB stick. Really effing simple.