1 GHz or faster, two or more cores, on Microsoft's compatible 64-bit processor list.
Windows 11 clean installation guide
Start fresh with Windows 11.
Download Windows 11 safely, turn a blank USB drive into installation media and complete a clean setup—one clear step at a time.
Official Microsoft links No unofficial activators About 60–120 minutes
Bootable USB ready
Genuine activation
Compatible PCTPM 2.0 + Secure Boot
Blank USBAt least 8 GB
InternetReliable connection
Verified backupFiles + licence details
Check before downloading
Make sure this PC is ready.
Windows 11 has specific hardware and security requirements. Checking first prevents wasted downloads and installation problems later.
A clean installation erases the selected Windows drive.
Back up documents, photos, browser data, email archives, app files and anything else you need. Open a few files from the backup to confirm it works before continuing.
At least 4 GB RAM and a storage device with 64 GB or more capacity.
UEFI firmware, Secure Boot capability and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0.
DirectX 12 / WDDM 2.0 graphics and a 720p display larger than 9 inches.
Official downloads only
Choose the download made for your job.
For a clean installation on a physical PC, the Media Creation Tool is usually the simplest option. It downloads Windows 11 and prepares your USB automatically.
Download Windows 11 from Microsoft
Open the official page, find Create Windows 11 Installation Media, then select Download Now. Windows 11 is for supported 64-bit devices.
Open Microsoft download pageSafety check: the address should begin with https://www.microsoft.com/. Avoid third-party ISO files, key generators and activation scripts. Read Microsoft's media guide.
Step-by-step walkthrough
Install Windows 11 from scratch.
Read the whole process once before you begin. The exact wording can vary slightly by PC model and Windows release, but the safe sequence stays the same.
01
Compatibility
Check the PC before making media
Run Microsoft's PC Health Check on the computer that will receive Windows 11. A pass is the clearest signal that the processor, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, memory and storage meet the baseline.
- Open PC Health Check and select Check now.
- If it flags TPM or Secure Boot, check the PC manufacturer's instructions before changing firmware settings.
- Do not use bypass tools to force Windows 11 onto unsupported hardware.
Already have Windows? Press Windows + R, enter msinfo32, and check BIOS Mode and Secure Boot State. Press Windows + R again, enter tpm.msc, and confirm Specification Version 2.0.
02
Protect your data
Back up everything you want to keep
A clean installation removes files, apps, settings and manufacturer customisations from the target drive. Treat the backup as a required step, not an optional one.
- Copy personal folders and app data to a separate external drive or trusted cloud storage.
- Export browser bookmarks and save passwords through a trusted password manager.
- Save the BitLocker recovery key if device encryption is enabled.
- Go to Settings → System → Activation and note whether Windows is activated.
- Go to Settings → System → About and note the current edition: Home or Pro.
Open several files directly from the backup before continuing. A backup that has not been tested should not be trusted.
03
Official source
Download the Media Creation Tool
- On a working Windows PC, open Microsoft's Download Windows 11 page.
- Scroll to Create Windows 11 Installation Media.
- Select Download Now and save the MediaCreationTool file.
- Right-click the downloaded file, choose Run as administrator, then approve the prompt.
If Windows SmartScreen displays the publisher, confirm that it is Microsoft Corporation before running the file.
04
Installation media
Create the bootable USB drive
- Connect a blank USB flash drive with at least 8 GB. Its existing contents will be deleted.
- Accept Microsoft's licence terms in the Media Creation Tool.
- Confirm the language and Windows 11 edition, then select Next.
- Select USB flash drive, choose the correct drive from the list, and select Next.
- Wait for the download and media creation to finish, then select Finish and safely eject the USB.
Creating Windows 11 media
Keep the PC connected to the internet and do not remove the USB drive.
05
Boot menu
Start the target PC from the USB
- Shut down the target PC completely and connect the Windows 11 USB.
- Turn on the PC and immediately press its boot-menu key repeatedly. Common keys include F12, F11, F9, Esc or Delete.
- Select the entry labelled UEFI followed by the USB drive name.
- If the Windows Setup screen does not appear, check the exact boot instructions on the PC manufacturer's support page.
For the safest drive selection later, disconnect optional external drives after confirming the backup. Leave only the Windows USB, keyboard, mouse and target system drive connected where practical.
06
Clean installation
Install Windows 11 on the correct drive
- Choose the language and keyboard settings, then select Next.
- Select Install Windows 11 and confirm that the clean installation will delete files, apps and settings.
- If asked for a key, enter a valid key. For a previously activated PC with a digital licence, choose I don't have a product key.
- Select the same edition covered by the licence—Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro.
- Accept the licence terms and select the clean/custom installation option if it appears.
- Identify the target Windows disk by its capacity. For a complete clean install, delete only that disk's partitions until it shows unallocated space.
- Select the target disk's unallocated space, choose Next or Install, and let the PC restart.
Stop if you are unsure which disk is correct. Deleting a partition is destructive. Do not delete partitions from any other internal or external disk. Ask the device manufacturer or a qualified technician for help if the layout is unclear.
07
Out-of-box experience
Complete the first-run setup
- When the PC restarts into the setup experience, remove the USB if it tries to launch the installer again.
- Confirm the country or region and keyboard layout.
- Connect to a trusted network. Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro for personal use require internet connectivity and a Microsoft account during initial setup.
- Name the device, sign in, create a Windows Hello PIN and review every privacy setting.
- Wait while Windows prepares the desktop. The PC may restart or remain on preparation screens for several minutes.
Using the Microsoft account linked to the existing digital licence can help Windows reactivate automatically after the PC goes online.
08
Finish properly
Update, activate and restore your files
Do not rush into installing all your apps. First make Windows current, confirm activation and check that the essential hardware works.
Run Windows Update
Open Settings → Windows Update. Install updates and restart until no important updates remain.
Check drivers
Test Wi-Fi, sound, Bluetooth and graphics. Use the PC manufacturer's support site for anything missing.
Confirm activation
Open Settings → System → Activation and make sure the correct edition shows as activated.
- Install applications only from trusted publishers or official app stores.
- Restore personal files without overwriting newer folders by mistake.
- Keep Windows Security enabled and create a fresh backup after setup.
Safe setup principles
Three shortcuts worth avoiding.
A quick-looking workaround can turn a clean installation into a security or reliability problem. Keep the setup supported and verifiable.
Never paste activation scripts, install cracks or disable security tools to force activation.
Unsupported TPM or CPU bypasses can leave the PC without a supported Windows experience.
Use Microsoft's current download so you know where the installation files came from.
Install the edition you own and confirm activation in Windows Settings after setup.
Frequently asked questions
Answers before you start.
These are the points most likely to prevent a smooth clean installation.
01Will a clean installation delete my files?
Yes. It removes personal files, applications and settings from the Windows drive you prepare during setup. Create and test a separate backup before you continue.
02Do I need a product key to reinstall Windows 11?
A device with a matching digital licence can normally reactivate after it connects to the internet. Choose the same edition the licence covers. A new or unlicensed PC requires a valid Windows licence.
03How large should the USB drive be?
Use a blank USB flash drive with at least 8 GB. The Media Creation Tool deletes everything already stored on that USB drive.
04Can I install Windows 11 on a 32-bit PC?
No. Windows 11 requires a compatible 64-bit processor. Use Microsoft's compatibility check before downloading.
05What if the installer cannot see my SSD?
The PC may require a storage controller driver from its manufacturer, or a particular firmware storage setting. Check the support page for the exact computer model before changing BIOS or UEFI settings.
06Why does the PC keep returning to the installer?
It may still be starting from the USB after the first restart. Remove the USB when Windows begins its first-run setup, or select the internal Windows drive in the boot menu.
Ready to create your Windows 11 USB?
Start with Microsoft's official download, keep your verified backup nearby and work through the installation steps in order.