How to Clean Install Windows 11
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How to Clean Install Windows 11
You can install Windows 11 using a Windows 11 ISO, avoiding the Windows 10 upgrade path. Are you thinking of upgrading to Windows 11? You can upgrade through Windows 10, but you might not want to do that. Instead, you can opt for a clean installation of Windows 11, allowing you to install the new operating system on your own terms or a different device entirely. So, read on to learn how to do a clean install of Windows 11 using a Windows 11 ISO. How to Clean Install Windows 11
There are a few things you need to prepare before you can proceed with your Windows 11 installation, specifically the Windows 11 ISO and the bootable Windows 11 USB flash drive you'll install it from. Just before you commence with the Windows 11 clean install tutorial, remember one thing: Microsoft really on unsupported hardware. Furthermore, at the time of publication, you still need to be signed up as a Windows 11 Insider to download and install the new operating system. However, this requirement will end when Windows 11 launches to the wider public on October 5, 2021. 1 Download the Windows 11 ISO
The first thing you need is a copy of the Windows 11 ISO, the disk image containing the Windows 11 installation files. Head to the download page. Scroll down to the Select edition section at the bottom of the page. Using the dropdown menu, select the version of Windows 11 you want to install. The version you choose correlates to the Windows 11 Insider Preview channel you're signed up to, be that Dev or Beta. Select your language, then hit Download. 2 Burn the Windows 11 ISO to a Bootable USB Flash Drive
Once the Windows 11 ISO finishes downloading, you need to create a bootable Windows 11 USB flash for installation. There are many tools you can use to , but in this example, I'll be using . You'll also need a USB flash drive with at least 8GB of storage. The drive will be completely wiped during the ISO burning process, so make sure you backup any data before proceeding. Insert your USB flash drive. Open Rufus. Hit the Select button. Browse to the location of your Windows 11 ISO file and select it. Rufus will update the drive and burning properties automatically. Press Start when you're ready to proceed. The Windows 11 ISO burning process will take a few minutes, so go and make a cup of tea or coffee, and it'll be done when you return. 3 Install Windows 11 Using the Bootable USB
Once Rufus finishes burning your bootable Windows 11 USB flash drive, you can use it to install the new operating system. During the Insider Preview testing phase, Microsoft has given some leeway with the requirements for Windows 11, allowing you to boot and receive updates on "unsupported" hardware. However, once Windows 11 launches to the public, that will change, so it's worth considering if your . Now, make sure the PC you're installing Windows 11 on is switched off to begin with. Insert the Windows 11 installation media. Switch the computer on and tap your . Once in your BIOS/UEFI settings, you'll have to find an option to boot from the USB through a temporary change to the boot order. The menu is likely under Boot Options or something similar. Move the Windows 11 installation USB flash drive into the primary boot position. Save and Exit the BIOS/UEFI. Your machine will reboot. After it boots, you'll launch into the Windows 11 installation process. When the Windows 11 installation process begins, select Install Now. On the next screen, select Custom to continue with the Windows 11 clean install. You'll also be asked for your Windows product key. However, you can input your product key later or import it from your Microsoft Account after installation. Next, you must choose the drive you want to install Windows 11 on. If you're dual-booting Windows 11, select your secondary drive. Otherwise, if you're going for the full clean installation of Windows 11, select the appropriate drive followed by Next. The Windows 11 installation process will begin. When the installation finishes, you can begin entering your login credentials, keyboard configurations, and more. At this point, if you enter your Microsoft Account credentials, your Product Key will also automatically update, validating your Windows 11 installation (if you are ). Work through the Windows 11 setup pages one by one, checking them as they go. There are options for privacy, location, data sharing, and more. Can You Install Windows 11 on a Virtual Machine
If you don't want to install Windows 11 on your main computer, you could always install it on a virtual machine instead. The virtual machine option gives you a way of testing Windows 11 without fully committing to the new operating system. Installing Windows 11 on a virtual machine follows much of the same process as installing directly to your hard drive or solid-state drive, only you don't need to worry about burning the Windows 11 ISO to a USB flash drive. Instead, can boot the installation files from the ISO directly without the need for a bootable flash drive. Just remember that you need adequate system resources to run Windows 11. If you don't have a powerful enough CPU or enough RAM, your Windows 11 experience will suffer. Clean Install Windows 11 On Your Computer Now
If you're eligible for a Windows 11 upgrade, you can install Windows 11 from within Windows 10. The upgrade path from Windows 10 to . Whether or not you can continue using Windows 11 after the public launch depends on your hardware. If your system doesn't meet the minimum system requirements, Microsoft will not deliver updates to your Windows 11 installation. If you don't receive updates, your system will be vulnerable, exposed to security issues as they arise. For most Windows 11 users, upgrading through the proper channels is likely the best option, ensuring you receive security updates to protect against vulnerabilities. However, if you want to clean install Windows 11, you now have the know-how to do it.