Windows 11 clean install: booting from USB, setup screens and drivers
This article assumes you have prepared the installation USB drive. Screen names follow Microsoft's support page; they may differ slightly between Windows versions.
Everything on the disk you choose during setup is erased. That is no problem on a new computer without an operating system; on a used computer, make a backup first.
1. Start the computer from USB
- Plug in the USB drive and turn on the computer.
- During startup, press the boot menu key to open the list of boot devices and select the USB drive.
The boot menu key depends on the brand and model; Microsoft also recommends checking with the PC manufacturer. Our table compiled from the manufacturers' own pages: Boot menu and BIOS keys. If the setup screen does not appear, the computer is not starting from USB; check the manufacturer's page for how to change the boot order.
2. Setup screens
- Select language settings — choose the language and region settings and select Next.
- Select keyboard settings — choose your keyboard layout and select Next.
- Select setup option — choose Install Windows 11, tick that you agree everything including files, apps and settings will be deleted, and select Next.
- Product key — you can enter your key now. To enter it later, choose I don't have a product key; then pick the edition that matches your license (Home or Pro) in the Select Image window. It is important to choose the edition your license is for.
- Applicable notices and license terms — Accept.
- Select location to install Windows 11 — select each partition on the disk you are installing to (usually Disk 0) and delete it with Delete Partition; when only Disk 0 Unallocated Space is left, select it and select Next. Do not touch other disks (e.g. a second data disk). If no disk appears at all (common on new Intel computers): setup cannot find the drive.
- Ready to install — Install. The computer restarts several times; you can remove the USB drive during this.
3. First setup
When installation finishes, Windows walks you through the first setup screens. According to Microsoft, Windows 11 Home and Pro for personal use require an internet connection and a Microsoft account during first setup. If Wi-Fi does not work: no internet during first setup.
4. Drivers
Windows finds drivers for most hardware itself through Windows Update. First go to Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates.
Download any missing drivers (e.g. touchpad, special keys, graphics software) from the computer manufacturer's support page by searching for your model name. The manufacturer is the most reliable source of the right driver; do not download files from unknown "driver download" sites.
Something went wrong?
"This PC can't run Windows 11", no disk found or the USB drive does not start: Windows 11 installation problems.