USB serial gadget mode should enabled by default on freshly written raspbian images.
If this is not possible, add a control file mechanism (like /boot/ssh ) to enable it for headless devices.
It should be possible to get a login prompt in putty in usb mode in a fresh system, without the need for lan or wifi.
For a Zero W 2 I followed this tutorial from a running network enabled system.
This should be enabled by default or by touching a control file in /boot from a Windows laptop. The user should then be able to plug a pi into the laptop usb port and get a login prompt in putty.
Benefits for headless devices:
device can immediately be accessed without the need for a working network
if you misconfigure networking you can repair it from the usb console
Alternatives:
keyboard and display, but still no copy/paste from the internet
find a computer with an sd reader, that can write ext4 and repair on the mounted sd
USB serial gadget mode should enabled by default on freshly written raspbian images. If this is not possible, add a control file mechanism (like /boot/ssh ) to enable it for headless devices. It should be possible to get a login prompt in putty in usb mode in a fresh system, without the need for lan or wifi. For a Zero W 2 I followed this tutorial from a running network enabled system. This should be enabled by default or by touching a control file in /boot from a Windows laptop. The user should then be able to plug a pi into the laptop usb port and get a login prompt in putty.
Benefits for headless devices:
Alternatives: