How to Perform a Clean Installation of Windows 11

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to Perform a Clean Installation of Windows 11. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

System requirements

• Processor: 1 GHz or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC)
• Memory: 4 GB RAM or more
• Storage: 64 GB or larger storage device
• System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable
• TPM: version 2.0
• Graphics card: DirectX 12 compatible graphics / WDDM 2.0 driver
• Display: >9" with HD 720p resolution

Prerequisites

• A valid Windows 11 product key (if required for your license type)
• A USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of storage
• Access to a working PC to download the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool
• Backup of all important data on the target machine

Step-by-step instructions

1. Download Windows 11 Media Creation Tool

1. Visit the official Microsoft Windows 11 download page.
2. Click “Download Now” under the “Create Windows 11 Installation Media” section.
3. Run the downloaded MediaCreationToolW11.exe file.

2. Create installation media

1. Accept the license terms.
2. Select “Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC.”
3. Choose your language, edition (Windows 11), and architecture (64-bit recommended).
4. Select “USB flash drive” and choose the connected USB drive.
5. The tool will download Windows 11 and create the bootable USB drive.

3. Prepare BIOS/UEFI settings

1. Insert the created USB drive into the target PC.
2. Restart the PC and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings (commonly F2, F12, DEL or ESC during start-up).
3. Ensure the firmware mode is set to UEFI (not Legacy/CSM).
4. Enable Secure Boot.
5. Disable Fast Startup and any “Windows Boot Manager” fast-boot options.
6. Change the boot order to prioritize the USB drive.
7. Save changes and restart the PC.

4. Install Windows 11

1. When the Windows Setup screen appears, select your language, time and keyboard preferences.
2. Click “Next” and then “Install now”.
3. Enter your product key when prompted, or choose “I don’t have a product key” if reinstalling on a previously activated machine.
4. Select the edition of Windows 11 that matches your license.
5. Accept the license terms.
6. Once Windows Setup begins copying files, remove the USB drive to prevent the PC from booting back into the installer after restart.

5. Partition selection

1. On the “Which type of installation do you want?” screen, choose “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)”.
2. You will see a list of existing partitions.
3. Select each partition on the main drive (usually Drive 0) and click “Delete” until only unallocated space remains.
4. Select the unallocated space and click “Next”. Windows will automatically create the required partitions and begin installation.

6. Initial setup (Out-of-Box Experience – OOBE)

1. After installation, the PC will restart. Remove the USB drive when prompted to avoid booting from it again.
2. Follow the on-screen prompts to:
   • Select region and keyboard layout
   • Connect to a Wi-Fi network
   • Sign in with a Microsoft account or create a local account
   • Set up a PIN
   • Configure privacy settings (Location, diagnostic data, etc.)
   • Customize Cortana and other preferences

Post-installation

1. Verify activation: Open Settings, go to System > Activation, and confirm that Windows is activated. If not, enter your product key or use the Activation Troubleshooter.
2. Windows Update: Immediately check for and install all available updates via Settings > Windows Update. See How to update Windows for detailed guidance.
3. Drivers and utilities: Install manufacturer-specific drivers and utilities (chipset, graphics, network, audio) from the PC manufacturer’s website. Check for and install any available BIOS or firmware updates.
4. Business account configuration: Small business users should consider joining the device to a local domain or Azure AD (Microsoft Entra ID) instead of signing in with a personal Microsoft account. Create a local administrator account for business use and administrative tasks.
5. Antivirus: Ensure Windows Security (Defender) is active and updated. For additional hardening see Antivirus alerts – what to do.
6. Restore data: Copy your backed-up files back to the appropriate locations.

Troubleshooting

• Boot failure: Verify the BIOS boot order is set correctly and that the system is booting in UEFI mode.
• TPM 2.0 not found: Ensure TPM 2.0 is enabled in the BIOS/UEFI security settings. It may be listed as “Security Device”, “TPM Support”, or “fTPM”. Update your BIOS firmware if the option is missing.
• Secure Boot not supported: Confirm Secure Boot is enabled in the BIOS/UEFI boot settings. If the option is unavailable, check that the system is in UEFI mode and not Legacy/CSM mode.
• Installation fails: Confirm the installation media is not corrupted; recreate it if necessary. Ensure the PC meets the minimum system requirements.
• Activation issues: Use the Activation Troubleshooter in Settings > Activation if the digital license is not automatically detected.

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