Windows 11 Tutorial

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Clean installation with a bootable USB drive

 How to Perform a Clean Installation of Windows 11 Using a Bootable USB Drive

A clean installation wipes your entire drive and installs a fresh copy of Windows 11. This method is ideal for those experiencing performance issues, want to start fresh, or are installing Windows 11 on a new PC.

Step 1: Check System Requirements

Before proceeding, ensure that your PC meets these minimum requirements:

  • Processor: 1 GHz or faster with 2+ cores on a compatible 64-bit processor.
  • RAM: 4 GB or more.
  • Storage: 64 GB or more available space.
  • TPM: Version 2.0.
  • Firmware: UEFI with Secure Boot.
  • Graphics Card: DirectX 12 compatible.
  • Display: 9” or larger with at least 720p resolution.

Step 2: Prepare a Bootable USB Drive

You’ll need a USB drive with at least 8 GB of space.

Create the Bootable USB

  1. Download the Media Creation Tool from the official website:
    https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11
  2. Run the Media Creation Tool and follow these steps:
    • Accept the license terms.
    • Select Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO).
    • Choose Language and Edition (Windows 11) based on your preferences.
    • Select USB flash drive as the media type.
    • Insert your USB drive and let the tool format it and copy the necessary files.

Step 3: Back Up Your Data (Optional)

A clean installation will erase everything on your drive. If you have important files, back them up to an external hard drive or cloud storage before proceeding.

Step 4: Change Boot Order in BIOS/UEFI

To boot from the USB drive, you may need to adjust your PC’s BIOS/UEFI settings.

  1. Restart your PC and press the key (usually F2, F12, DEL, or ESC) to enter the BIOS/UEFI menu.
  2. Look for the Boot Order/Boot Priority settings.
  3. Move the USB drive to the top of the list.
  4. Save and exit the BIOS/UEFI.

Step 5: Install Windows 11

  1. Insert the bootable USB drive into your PC.
  2. Restart your PC, and it will boot from the USB drive.
  3. Follow these steps:
    • Select your Language, Time, and Keyboard layout, then click Next.
    • Click Install Now.
    • If prompted, enter your Windows 11 product key or click I don’t have a product key to continue.
    • Select the Windows 11 edition that matches your license (Home, Pro, etc.).

Step 6: Format the Drive (Optional but Recommended)

To perform a clean installation, it’s recommended to format the drive.

  1. In the Where do you want to install Windows? window, you’ll see a list of partitions.
  2. Select the main partition where Windows is currently installed (usually Drive 0).
  3. Click Delete to remove all data from the partition.
  4. Select the unallocated space and click Next to start the installation.

Step 7: Complete the Installation

  1. The installation will begin, and your PC may restart several times.
  2. After installation, you’ll be prompted to set up Windows:
    • Choose your region and keyboard layout.
    • Connect to a Wi-Fi network (if available).
    • Sign in with your Microsoft account or create a local account.
    • Adjust privacy settings and Windows preferences.

Step 8: Install Drivers and Updates

After setup, it’s important to update drivers and install updates to ensure your system runs smoothly.

  1. Open Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates.
  2. Install any available updates, including optional driver updates.

Step 9: Restore Files and Reinstall Applications (Optional)

If you backed up files before installation, now is the time to restore them from your external drive or cloud storage. You’ll also need to reinstall your apps.

Troubleshooting Tips

  • PC won’t boot from USB: Check your BIOS/UEFI settings to confirm the USB drive is the first boot device.
  • Missing TPM or Secure Boot errors: Go to BIOS/UEFI and enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot.
  • Activation issues: Make sure you’re using the correct product key or check for activation via your Microsoft account.

Conclusion

Performing a clean installation of Windows 11 using a bootable USB drive ensures a fresh start with optimal performance. This method is useful if you want to erase all previous data or install Windows 11 on a new device. Just remember to back up your data beforehand and make sure your system meets the minimum requirements.

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