You can install Windows 11 in two main ways: upgrade an existing Windows 10 PC through Windows Update or the Installation Assistant, or do a clean install using bootable USB media. Which route you take depends on whether you’re setting up a brand new PC, replacing Windows 10, or wiping an existing drive for a fresh start.
Quick steps
- Check your PC meets the Windows 11 system requirements (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot capable, compatible CPU, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage).
- Back up your files to an external drive or OneDrive.
- Download the Windows 11 installation media from Microsoft’s software download page.
- Create a bootable USB drive (at least 8GB) using the Media Creation Tool.
- Boot your PC from the USB drive and follow the on-screen setup prompts.
- Complete the out-of-box setup (region, account, privacy settings) once installation finishes.
Before you start
A few things to sort out before you touch the installer:
- Check compatibility. Windows 11 needs a 64-bit processor on Microsoft’s supported CPU list, 4GB RAM minimum, 64GB storage, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot support, and TPM 2.0. Microsoft’s PC Health Check app will tell you if your current hardware qualifies.
- Back everything up. A clean install wipes the drive you install on. Copy important files to an external drive or cloud storage like OneDrive before you start.
- Have your product key ready (if you have one). If you’re upgrading a licensed copy of Windows 10, your device usually activates automatically once connected to the internet. For a clean install on new hardware, you may be asked for a key, or you can choose to skip this and activate later.
- Know your edition and language. Make sure the installation media matches the edition (Home or Pro) and language you need.
- Stay connected. Windows 11 Home setup generally needs an internet connection and a Microsoft account to finish the out-of-box experience.
Install Windows 11 on a new PC or do a clean install (from USB)
This is the method to use if you’re building a new PC from scratch, replacing a failing Windows 10 installation, or want a completely fresh install with no leftover files or settings.
Step 1: Create the installation USB
- On a working Windows PC, go to Microsoft’s “Download Windows 11” page and get the Windows 11 Installation Media tool (Media Creation Tool).
- Plug in a USB flash drive with at least 8GB of free space. Everything on it will be erased, so back it up first if needed.
- Run the tool, accept the license terms, then choose Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC.
- Select your language, edition, and architecture (or leave the recommended options checked).
- Choose USB flash drive as the media type and select your drive, then let the tool download and write the files.
Step 2: Boot from the USB drive
- Plug the USB drive into the PC you want to install Windows 11 on.
- Restart the PC and open the boot menu or UEFI/BIOS settings (the key to press varies by manufacturer, commonly shown briefly on the startup screen).
- Select the USB drive as the boot device and confirm. If Secure Boot or UEFI mode options appear, make sure they’re enabled, since Windows 11 requires them.
Step 3: Run setup
- On the Windows Setup screen, choose your language, time and currency format, and keyboard layout, then select Next.
- Select Install now.
- Enter your product key if you have one, or choose I don’t have a product key to continue and activate later.
- Pick the edition you’re licensed for if prompted, accept the license terms, and select Next.
- Choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) for a clean install.
- Select the drive or partition where you want to install Windows. For a truly fresh install, delete the existing partitions on that drive first (this erases all data on it), then select the resulting unallocated space.
- Select Next to begin installing. The PC will copy files and restart several times automatically.
- Once installation finishes, complete the out-of-box setup: choose your region and keyboard layout, connect to Wi-Fi or Ethernet, sign in with a Microsoft account (or set up a local account where available), and choose your privacy settings.
Upgrade an existing Windows 10 PC to Windows 11
If your current PC already runs a licensed copy of Windows 10 and meets the hardware requirements, upgrading in place keeps your files, apps, and settings.
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update (on Windows 10) or Settings > Windows Update (on Windows 11 if you’re reinstalling the same version).
- Select Check for updates. If your PC is eligible, you’ll see an option to download and install Windows 11.
- Select Download and install, then follow the prompts to restart and complete setup.
- If Windows Update doesn’t offer the upgrade yet, you can instead run the Windows 11 Installation Assistant from Microsoft’s download page to upgrade manually.
Your files and apps carry over with this method, so you don’t need to back up in the same way you would for a clean install, though it’s still good practice to have a backup before any major OS update.
Reinstall or do a fresh install on a PC already running Windows 11
If Windows 11 is already installed but running slowly, acting unstable, or you just want to start clean without changing hardware, you have two options.
- Go to Settings > System > Recovery and use Reset this PC to reinstall Windows while choosing to keep or remove your files.
- Alternatively, create installation media as described above and boot from the USB drive to run a full clean install, which gives you the most thorough fresh start.
If it doesn’t work
Your PC says it doesn’t meet the requirements
Run the PC Health Check app to see exactly which requirement is failing. TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are often disabled rather than missing, so check your UEFI/BIOS settings before assuming your hardware is incompatible.
The PC won’t boot from the USB drive
Double check that USB boot is enabled in your UEFI/BIOS settings and that Secure Boot mode matches what your installation media expects. Try a different USB port, preferably a USB 2.0 port if you’re having trouble, and confirm the drive was created correctly with the Media Creation Tool.
Setup gets stuck or an app isn’t compatible
If an in-place upgrade stalls or flags incompatible software, uninstall the conflicting app first, then retry, or switch to a clean install instead, which avoids carrying over legacy software conflicts.
Windows isn’t activating
Make sure the PC is connected to the internet and that you entered the correct product key, or that your digital license is linked to your Microsoft account from a previous Windows 10 installation on the same hardware. Activation can take a little time after setup finishes, so check again later if it doesn’t activate immediately.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a product key to install Windows 11?
Not always. If you’re upgrading a PC that already has an activated copy of Windows 10 or Windows 11, it typically reactivates automatically. For a clean install, you can select “I don’t have a product key” during setup and activate afterward.
Is installing Windows 11 free?
Upgrading an eligible, genuine, activated copy of Windows 10 to Windows 11 is free. You still need a valid license if you’re installing on a PC that doesn’t already have an activated version of Windows.
How long does a Windows 11 install take?
A clean install usually takes somewhere between 20 minutes and an hour, depending on your PC’s speed, storage type, and whether updates download during setup. An in-place upgrade can take longer since it preserves your existing files and apps.
Will a clean install delete my files?
Yes, a clean install from USB wipes the selected drive, including personal files, unless you back them up first. If you want to keep your files, use the in-place upgrade or the Reset this PC option with “keep my files” instead.
Can I install Windows 11 without TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot?
Windows 11 is designed to require TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot support for a standard installation. Check your UEFI/BIOS settings first, since these features are frequently present but turned off by default on many PCs.
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