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A clean installation of Windows 11 is the process of completely erasing the computer's hard drive and applying a new copy of the operating system to configure a new laptop or desktop computer. Or you can use this method to solve problems with existing settings. For example, fix memory, shutdown, startup, application, stability, and performance issues. In addition, and perhaps more importantly, a clean installation of Windows 11 can extend battery life and is the best way to get rid of viruses and other types of malware.
If you have a new computer, clearing the current settings and performing a fresh installation is an excellent solution for dealing with bloated software pre-installed with the original manufacturer's image. This method allows you to safely disable the device without revealing your personal files. In addition, this is usually the method you use to install Windows 11 when replacing the hard drive.
If you use the same configuration for a long time, this will be the preferred option for upgrading from an older version (such as Windows 10 or Windows 8.1), while minimizing the chance of problems during and after this process.
In this Windows 11 guide, we will guide you through the complete process of a clean installation, whether you are setting up a new computer or upgrading from Windows 10 or an older version.
A clean installation deletes everything on the target drive, which means that necessary precautions must be taken to minimize the possibility of problems and data loss.
If you have backed up your computer and files. You have an activation key, or the current settings have been activated correctly. The device can be booted from the USB flash drive, and you disconnect non-essential peripheral devices, then you can skip this part to the bootable media creation and clean installation process.
Before doing a clean installation, you should always have an updated backup of your entire device so that you can restore it in the event of a problem. Of course, unless you don't have any important things you want to keep. (The backup process should be similar on Windows 11, 10 and 8.1.)
On Windows 11 or Windows 10, you can choose from many solutions. However, the easiest way to create a full backup is to use an older version of the system image backup tool. This tool can also be used for Windows 8.1 and earlier versions.
If you need to back up your documents, pictures, and other important files, you can upload the data to OneDrive or other cloud storage services.
For OneDrive, you can also use the backup settings page to automatically sync your profile folders (documents, pictures, and desktop) to the cloud.
To configure OneDrive backup, use the following steps:
Click the Manage Backup button.
Click the Start Backup button.
After completing these steps, OneDrive will back up the files in the user profile folder to the cloud and back up across computers.
If you have a lot of files, uploading to the cloud will be expensive and may take a long time. If this is the case, the best alternative is to copy the files to an external USB hard drive.
To manually create a file backup, connect a drive with sufficient storage space and use the following steps:
Type the following path in the address bar and press Enter:
Quick tip: You can access other profile folders from C:\Users.
Right-click the selection and select the copy option.
Right-click on a blank area and select the paste option.
After completing these steps, repeat the instructions to back up the remaining accounts (if applicable).
In addition to making copies of the files, it is also recommended to create a list of installed programs using the respective product keys (if applicable) to understand which applications you need to reinstall in the new settings.
If you don’t usually sync your passwords and bookmarks with online services, now is a good time to export your browser credentials and links.
If you are looking for a new external storage market, we recommend Western Digital My Book Desktop because of its portability, capacity and price.
If you are looking for an external drive for storing file backups in the market, Western Digital My Book Desktop is your best choice. Get up to 18TB of storage space, protect your files with hardware encryption, and connect via USB-A 3.0 for fast file transfer. Amazon is $89.
After properly activating Windows 11 or Windows 10, the product key will no longer be required for future installations on the same computer. After installation, Windows will automatically reactivate (at some point).
To confirm that Windows 10 has been activated correctly, use the following steps:
Under the "Windows" section, confirm activation. If the device has been activated correctly, you will see one of the following messages:
After completing these steps, Windows 11 should be automatically reactivated after a clean installation.
If you already have Windows 11, you can use the following steps to confirm activation:
Click the activation status setting:
After completing these steps, the new installation will be automatically reactivated.
If you are still running Windows 8.1, you can use the following steps to confirm activation:
After completing these steps, Windows 11 will be automatically reactivated. Microsoft does not support the upgrade path from Windows 8.1 (or even Windows 7) to Windows 11, but as long as the device meets the minimum requirements, you can still set up a new operating system.
When setting up a new device that has never installed any version of Windows, you need to purchase a valid license from the Microsoft Store, Amazon, or other retailers. (You should be able to activate the installation with a Windows 11, 10, 8.1, or 7 product key.)
Although Windows 11 does a good job of automatically detecting and installing device drivers, it is also recommended to download the necessary drivers (such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and graphics) before this process, just in case the installation fails to add them correctly Drivers. This is usually not a problem with branded devices (Dell, HP, etc.), but it may be a problem with the customized version.
You can use our guide to install device drivers on Windows 10.
The following is a list of websites provided by the most popular manufacturers for downloading the latest device drivers.
Since Windows 11 is based on Windows 10, almost any driver designed for the latest version of Windows 10 should theoretically be compatible with Windows 11.
Although your computer may already be running Windows 10, this does not necessarily mean that it will run Windows 11. Microsoft raised the minimum hardware requirements this time to ensure security, performance and stability.
The following are the minimum requirements for installing Windows 11:
In addition to these requirements, if you upgrade to Windows 11 Home Edition, you will also need an Internet connection to complete the initial setup.
To check the basic hardware specifications, use the following steps:
Confirm the processor, memory, and system type.
Quick note: The memory should be greater than 4GB, and the processor must be Intel 7th Get 7820HQ, Core X, Xeon W or 8th generation or newer or AMD Zen 2 or newer. You can find more information about processor compatibility in this guide. In addition, the system type must be 64-bit. Windows 11 is not 32-bit.
Confirm that the main drive is larger than 64GB.
You can also check your laptop or desktop hardware specifications on the manufacturer's support website.
In addition, you also need to ensure that the computer has the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 enabled. You can follow these instructions to complete this task.
Secure boot is also a requirement, and it must be enabled to run Windows 11. You can use this guide to check the function status and the steps to turn it on if necessary.
Alternatively, you can also use the PC health check application to determine whether your device can run Windows 11.
To check if your computer will run Windows 11, use the following steps:
Open the PC Health Check download page.
Quick note: The download options are at the bottom of the page.
Under the "Check compatibility" section, click the "Download PC Health Check App" button.
Check the Turn on Windows PC health check option (if applicable).
Click the View All Results button to display the final report.
After completing these steps, you will know whether your PC can handle the new version. If your computer fails the check, use the available links in the app to find out what you can do to fix the block.
You must also make sure that the computer can boot from the USB flash drive. If this is not the case, you will need to change the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) on the motherboard. In addition, if necessary, you can use these steps to enable TPM and secure boot.
On devices already running Windows 11, 10, or 8.1, you can access the settings to change the startup sequence from the desktop environment.
To change the UEFI boot settings on Windows 11, use the following steps:
Under the "Recovery Options" section, click the "Restart now" button of the "Advanced Startup" settings.
Click the UEFI firmware settings option.
Set the boot sequence to boot from the USB flash drive with the Windows 11 installation files.
After completing these steps, the device will be able to boot from the USB bootable media, and then you can proceed with the setup.
To change the UEFI boot settings on Windows 10, use the following steps:
Under the "Advanced startup" section, click the "Restart now" button.
Click the UEFI firmware settings option.
Set the boot sequence to boot from the USB flash drive with the Windows 11 installation files.
Enable the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) option (if applicable).
After completing these steps, the computer should now be able to boot from the USB bootable media.
To change UEFI boot settings on Windows 8.1, use the following steps:
Under the "Advanced startup" section, click the "Restart now" button.
Click the UEFI firmware settings option.
Set the boot sequence to boot from USB media with Windows 11 installation files.
Enable the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) option (if applicable).
After completing these steps, the computer can boot from the bootable USB drive to continue the clean installation process.
If you do not have access to the Windows desktop environment, you can change the startup sequence by following the steps below:
Set the boot sequence to boot from USB media with Windows 11 installation files.
Enable the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) option (if applicable).
After completing these steps, the computer should be able to boot from the Windows 11 USB flash drive.
The peripheral devices connected to the computer may have problems during the installation process. If you have unnecessary peripheral devices (such as removable storage devices and other USB and Bluetooth devices, as well as printers, scanners, cameras, etc.), it is recommended to remove them.
During a fresh installation of Windows 11, all you need is a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and internet connection. After setting up, you can reconnect peripheral devices (one at a time) to make sure they don't cause any problems.
On Windows 11, you need a USB bootable media to perform a clean installation, and you can easily create it with many tools, including Microsoft Media Creation Tool and Rufus.
To create installation media using the media creation tool, connect a USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space and use the following steps:
Under the "Create Windows 11 Installation Media" section, click the "Download Now" button to save the file on the device.
(Optional) Clear the recommended option for using this PC.
Select the USB flash drive option.
Select the USB flash drive.
Quick Tip: If the device is not in the list, click the "Refresh Drive List" option to make it available.
After completing these steps, the application will download the file and create the installation media, which you can then use to boot the device and proceed with a fresh copy of Windows 11.
You can also use the Rufus tool to create installation media. Rufus is a free tool with many options to help you create Windows 11, 10 or 8.1 bootable media faster. However, it is important to remember that it is a third-party option and is not supported by Microsoft. Therefore, please use it at your own risk.
To use Rufus to create a Windows 11 USB installer, connect a flash drive with at least 8GB of space and use the following steps:
Under the "Download" section, click the link to save the latest version on your device.
Click the "Settings" button at the bottom of the page (the third button from the left).
Under the "Settings" section, use the Check for updates drop-down menu and select the daily option.
Quick Tip: These steps are necessary to enable the ISO download feature.
Under the "Startup Selection" section, click the down arrow button on the right and select the "Download" option.
Quick Tip: If you already have an ISO file, click the "Select" button, select the Windows 11 ISO file, and then continue to step 24.
Select the latest version-for example, 21H2 (version 22000.194-2021.10).
Use the "Language" drop-down menu and select your installation language.
Quick tip: If you are in the United States, please select the "English" option instead of "English International".
Use the "Target System" drop-down menu to select the UEFI (non-CSM) option.
After completing these steps, Rufus will download the ISO file from the Microsoft server and create a bootable installation media.
Windows 11 installation has two parts, just like on Windows 10. The first is the setup, and the second is the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE). In the first part, you will configure some basic settings, select the target drive, configure the partitions, and start the clean installation process.
The second part takes place after installation, where you will select your settings (such as region, keyboard, network), create an account, and confirm your privacy settings.
After completing the preparation instructions, you can proceed with a clean installation of Windows 11, which is very simple.
Warning: This is another friendly reminder, this process will erase everything on your computer. Before proceeding, it is always recommended to make a temporary full backup of your PC.
To perform a clean installation of Windows 11, use the following steps:
On the "Windows Installer", click the Next button.
Quick tip: If your language, time and currency, and keyboard are different from the default selections, make sure to select the correct settings before continuing.
Click the Install Now button.
If this is a reinstallation, click the I don’t have a product key option to continue. Otherwise, if this is your first time installing Windows 11, please enter the product key.
Quick tip: In either case, you can complete the installation at any time and then activate it using the "Settings" application.
Select the version of Windows 11 (if applicable).
Quick note: The selection must match the version activated by the product key. If you do not select the correct version, Windows 11 will not be activated and you will have to redo the whole process again.
Click the Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) option to continue the clean installation.
Select the currently installed partition (usually "Drive 0"), and then click the "Delete" button.
Quick tip: If "Drive 0" has multiple partitions, you must select and delete each partition to allow the installer to use the entire hard drive for a new installation. The Windows 11 installer will automatically create the required partitions during this process. In addition, there is no need to delete the partition on the secondary drive.
Select the empty drive (Drive 0 Unallocated Space).
After completing these steps, the installer will install a fresh copy of Windows 11 on your laptop or desktop computer.
If you plan to get rid of the device, you can stop now and let the new owner experience an out-of-the-box experience. However, you are upgrading your system, please continue with the instructions below.
After installation, you must continue OOBE to select your preferences and create a new account.
To complete the out-of-the-box experience on Windows 11, use the following steps:
Choose your keyboard layout settings.
Click the skip button, unless you need to select a second layout.
Connect to a Wi-Fi network (if applicable).
Quick note: If you use an Ethernet connection, the device will automatically connect.
(Optional) Confirm the name of the device.
Quick note: If you continue this step, the device will automatically restart, but you can continue where you left off.
Select the option to set up for personal use on Windows 11 Professional. Windows 11 Home does not have this option.
Confirm your Microsoft account to create an account.
Click the Create PIN button.
Create a four-digit PIN to log in without a password.
Select the Set as new device option.
Quick note: If you use the same Microsoft account associated with other Windows installations, you can choose to restore your settings from the previous installation. However, if you want to start over, you should choose to set up a new device.
Click the Accept or Skip button to skip this configuration.
Select the Use OneDrive to back up my files option to automatically upload the desktop, pictures, and document folders to the cloud. Or select the Only save files to this PC option to save your files on your device.
Unless you have a subscription, click No, thank you button to skip the Microsoft Office installation.
After completing these steps, the process will continue and automatically complete the computer setup.
After installation, you should download any available system and driver updates and confirm that Windows 11 has been activated correctly.
To check for updates on Windows 11, use the following steps:
Click the Check for Update button.
After completing these steps, available updates will be downloaded and installed automatically.
To determine if a device driver is missing, use the following steps:
Confirm that none of the devices have yellow or red marks, and make sure that no devices are listed as unknown.
If there are problems with multiple devices, you may need to manually download and install the latest drivers from the computer manufacturer’s support website.
Windows Update may also include driver updates, but these may be optional installations. If the device is missing one or more drivers, you can download them from Windows Update.
To download the missing driver using Windows Update, use the following steps:
Under the "Additional Options" section, click the "Optional Updates" option.
Quick tip: If this option is not available, it means that Windows Update did not have any driver updates for your device at the time.
After completing these steps, Windows Update will automatically download and install the missing drivers.
To confirm that Windows 11 has been activated correctly, use the following steps:
If Windows 11 is successfully activated, one of the following messages will appear:
If the installation is not activated, the system will try to reactivate it later.
After completing the post-installation steps, you can reinstall your applications, including your favorite web browser, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Opera to browse the web different from Microsoft Edge.
If you use Spotify or iTunes to listen to music at work or online, you can download these and other apps from the Microsoft Store.
In addition, you should now download and install the Office application suite to start using Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
If you created a backup, you can now restore the files from the new installation. If you are using OneDrive, the files should already be synced to your device. However, if the application is not automatically configured, you can use this guide.
If the backup you created is on external storage, connect the drive to the computer and restore the data.
To restore files from a previous backup on Windows 11, use the following steps:
Select the folder containing the files you want to restore.
Quick Tip: If you manually backed up the configuration file folders (desktop, documents, downloads, pictures, etc.), it is best to open each folder, select the content, and restore them in the newly installed corresponding folder.
Right-click the selection and select the copy option.
Right-click on a blank area and select the paste option.
After completing these steps, the file will be restored to the location you specified.
Although there are multiple ways to perform a clean installation, such as using a media creation tool or resetting this PC feature, these methods are limited and do not always work as expected.
For more useful articles, reports and frequently asked questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, please visit the following resources:
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