How to Do a Clean Install of Windows 11

For a clean install of Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website.
2. Run mediacreationtool.exe and choose the language and edition you want.
3. Select the "USB Flash Drive" option and let it write Windows 11 to an 8GB or larger drive.
4. Enter the BIOS on the target PC and change the boot order so Removable Devices comes first.
5. Boot with the flash drive connected and follow the Windows 11 setup prompts.

Knowing how to perform a clean install of Windows 11 is useful in a number of situations, not least for avoiding potential errors and conflicts when upgrading from an older version of the OS. It can even breathe new life into a PC plagued by crashes or manufacturer bloatware.

There are several methods available for a clean install of Windows 11, but not all are suitable for every situation. The clean install methods below should cover most, if not all, possible starting points. Of these, creating bootable media on a USB flash drive is the most complicated, but also the one most likely to work for many different setups.

Preparing Your PC for a Clean Install of Windows 11

If you are suitably prepared and have everything you need readily at hand, performing a clean install of Windows 11 is usually stress-free. The whole process has gradually been streamlined over the years, so even if you have never previously installed a Windows OS, problems should be minimal.

Check PC Compatibility

With Windows 11, Microsoft imposed some fairly strict minimum specifications for the devices it can be installed on. This has resulted in many older computers being blocked from accessing the update.

You can use the free PC Health app to check if your PC is compatible with Windows 11. The app was included with the KB5005463 update for Windows 10 in May 2022, so you might be able to find it in the Start Menu. If not, you can download it from the PC Health Check page.

The app is easy to use, but if you need help, our guide to checking if your PC can run Windows 11 explains it in detail. The most common issue you’ll run into, which is usually easy to fix, is TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot not being enabled.

Backup Your Files

If there is one rule more PC users should follow, it is: always back up. And if you don’t perform a full backup regularly, at least ensure you protect your essential files before any major update or system change. And that obviously includes before a clean install of Windows 11.

A cloud storage vault can be your friend here, but copying everything you want to save to a removable USB flash drive will also work. When your important files are safely saved elsewhere, you are ready to choose a clean install method for Windows 11.

Option 1: Clean Install Windows 11 From a USB Drive

Installing Windows 11 from a removable USB drive is the best method if you have a newly built PC or one which doesn’t have a usable operating system (OS) installed. It can also be used to install Windows 11 on a PC that is already up and running with the OS.

You may need access to another computer to create the bootable media on the USB drive (if no usable OS is present) and be able to access the BIOS to change the boot device order.

Creating Windows 11 Bootable Media

There are several methods for creating bootable media on a USB drive, including the Microsoft Media Creation Tool, Rufus, and, if you like to make things complicated, Command Prompt. Here we’ll be using the Media Creation Tool.