How To Install Windows 11 Using a Bootable USB Drive

It’s actually not as hard as it seems

A bootable USB drive is the best approach to clean installingWindows 11. But setting up a flash drive with the required files, let alone using it to boot into a computer and set up Microsoft’s latest operating system from scratch, can feel daunting. Luckily, the procedure isn’t as hard as it seems.

The instructions below will walk you through everything you want to know about installing Windows 11 using a bootable USB drive.

How To Create a Bootable Windows 11 USB Drive

It’s possible to create a bootable Windows 11 USB drive using Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool. It handles everything from formatting the USB drive with the correct format to downloading and setting up the files required to boot into the Windows 11 Setup.

But before you start, here’s what you need:

  1. Head over to theDownload Windows 11page on Microsoft. Then, scroll down to theCreate Windows 11 Installation Mediasection and selectDownload Nowto get the Media Creation Tool.

  2. Run the downloadedMediaCreationToolW11.exefile to launch the Media Creation Tool. You don’t have to install it, but you need to provide administrative privileges.

  3. SelectAcceptto agree to Microsoft’s software license terms.

  4. Specify theLanguage(e.g., United States) andEdition(Windows 11).

  5. Connect the USB drive and select the radio button next toUSB flash drive.

  6. Select the correct USB flash drive from the list underRemovable drives.

Warning:The Media Creation Tool will permanently wipe all data on the USB drive. If you haven’t already, back it up before selectingNext.

  1. Wait for the Media Creation Tool to download and set up the USB drive. Depending on the internet connection speed, that may take up to an hour (or even more).

  2. SelectFinish. The USB drive is ready to install Windows 11. Disconnect it if you plan to install Windows 11 on a different PC.

How To Install Windows 11 Using a Bootable USB Drive

Windows 11 imposesstringent system requirementssuch as support forTPM (Trusted Platform Module) 2.0. So unless you plan on installing it onto a relatively recent desktop or laptop model, you must ensure that the PC is Windows 11-compatible by using Microsoft’sPC Health Checkapp.

Provided that your PC meets Windows 11’s system requirements, the trickiest part next involves accessing your PC’s Boot Manager. That consists in pressing the relevant key at computer startup, such asF2,F9, orF12. It’s best to check with the PC manufacturer for the exact key. For example, you can open the Boot Manager on Acer laptops by pressingF9.

Once you’ve invoked the Boot Manager, use theUpandDownarrow keys to select the USB drive, and pressEnterto boot from it. If you have trouble accessing it, you must access the UEFI and change the boot order.

After booting from the USB drive, you should see the Windows 11 Setup screen. Go through the steps that follow to install Windows 11.

  1. Specify your language, time and current format, and keyboard or input method and selectNext.

  2. SelectInstall now.

  3. Enter your Windows product key and selectNext. If you don’t have one or want to activate Windows 11 later, selectI don’t have a product key.

  4. Select the operating system version you want to install—e.g.,Windows 11 HomeorWindows 11 Pro. Make sure that it matches your Windows 11 license.

  5. Accept Microsoft’s software license terms and selectNext.

  6. Select the option labeledCustomto clean install Windows 11. If you want to upgrade from a previous iteration of the operating system while keeping your data intact, selectUpgradeinstead.

  7. Pick the drive or partition where you want to install Windows 11 and selectNext. If you opt to perform a clean installation in the step above, you will lose all data on the drive or partition.

  8. Wait until the Windows Setup copies and installs Windows 11 from the bootable USB drive.

Your PC will reboot automatically after the Windows Setup finishes installing Windows 11. You must then finish setting up the operating system on your PC.

Related:Having trouble completing an installation? Here’s how totroubleshoot a “Windows could not complete the installation” errorandfix Windows installation error code 0x8007025d.

How To Finish Setting Up Windows 11 on Your PC

After installing Windows 11, you must work your way through several pages of options to finish setting up the operating system. These are self-explanatory and involve specifying the country or region, adjusting your privacy settings, configuringWindows Hello, and so on. Here’s a brief run-down of the most important.

If you want to connect to your computer from other devices, you must insert a unique name that you can quickly recognize. It can’t consist of numbers only or exceed 15 characters in length.

Signing in with a Microsoft Account gives you the option to sync settings and preferences with Windows devices and signs you into stock apps such as Microsoft Edge and Skype. If your Windows license is linked to your Microsoft Account, signing in also helps with activation.

If you don’t want to sign in, you can opt for an offline account by selectingSign-in options>Offline account.

If you signed in with a Microsoft Account, you get to decide if you want to restore any settings, preferences, and apps from your previous Windows installation. If not, make sure to select theSet up as new deviceoption to set up your PC from scratch.

After you’ve finished setting up Windows 11, you may have to wait for a while longer until the Windows Setup completes installing any pending updates. You can then start using Windows 11 immediately.

If you’ve yet to activate Windows 11, don’t forget to get that sorted by heading over toStart>Settings>System>Activation.

Don’t Forget To Keep Windows 11 Up-to-Date

You’ve finished installing Windows 11 using the bootable USB drive you created. Congratulations! You must now make it a point to keep the operating system up-to-date. Go toSettings>Windows Updateto manageWindows Update. That way, not only do you get the latest security fixes and performance upgrades, but you also prevent any known bugs or issues messing up your Windows 11 experience.

Dilum Senevirathne is a freelance tech writer and blogger with three years of experience writing for online technology publications. He specializes in topics related to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Google web apps. When he isn’t hammering away at his Magic Keyboard, you can catch him binge-watching productivity hacks on YouTube.Read Dilum’s Full Bio

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