Windows 11 Installation: Fresh Install

Follow this process if you wish to perform a fresh install of Windows 11. You will lose any and all data kept on the drive. Do NOT proceed if you have data on the drive that you wish to keep. If you do not wish to perform a fresh install, and you are able to boot into Windows, follow this guide instead.

🔧 What You Need:

Bootable Windows Installation USB drive
A PC or Laptop that you wish to install (or reinstall) Windows 11 on
Approximately 30 to 60 minutes

📁 Step 1: Prepare Your Computer

Plug in the USB drive to the target computer.
Power on the PC, and immediately start pressing the key to enter the boot menu or BIOS/UEFI settings.
Common keys include F12, F2, DEL, ESC, or F10. This depends on your PC’s manufacturer.
In the boot menu, select the USB drive to boot from. If there is no boot menu, go into the BIOS/UEFI and change the boot order so that the USB drive is first.

💿 Step 2: Begin the Windows Installation

Once booted from USB, you’ll see a Windows logo, then the Windows Setup screen.
Choose your language, time and currency format, and keyboard input method. Click Next.
Click Install Now.

🔐 Step 3: Enter Product Key (if prompted)

If you’re reinstalling Windows on a PC that already had it activated, click “I don’t have a product key” – Windows will activate automatically later.
Otherwise, enter your valid product key – if you need to purchase a product key, you can do so here.

Tip: If you are any doubt, click “I don’t have a product key”, you may have a suitable license and not realise it, and if not, one can be always be purchased and added later.

💻 Step 4: Choose the Windows Version

Select the edition that matches your license (e.g., Home, Professional, Enterprise, etc).
Read and accept the license terms and click Next.

🧹 Step 5: Choose Installation Type

Select Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).

📁 Step 6: Choose Where to Install Windows

You’ll see a list of partitions.
- If you’re doing a clean install, delete the partitions on the main drive (be careful – this will erase all data).
- Select Unallocated Space and click Next.
Windows will begin installing. This can take 10–30 minutes and your PC may restart multiple times.

🎉 Step 7: Complete Setup

After installation:

Follow the on-screen prompts to:
- Set up region, keyboard, and preferences.
- Connect to Wi-Fi (if available).
- Sign in with a Microsoft account or create a local account.
- Customize privacy settings.

✅ Done!

You’re now ready to use your fresh Windows installation.

📝 Notes:

Activation: If Windows was previously activated on this hardware, or if your Microsoft account has a suitable license attached it should auto-activate once online. If you need to purchase a license key please view our options here

Drivers: Windows usually installs most drivers, but you may want to visit your PC or motherboard manufacturer’s website for specific drivers (e.g., graphics, chipset).