Use this guide for a clean installation, for example on a new PC or after replacing a drive. If Windows is already installed and you only need to activate or upgrade it, you can skip it.
What you need
- A USB flash drive of at least 8 GB (it will be erased)
- A working computer with an internet connection
- Your product key
Steps
- On a working computer, download Microsoft’s media creation tool from the official Windows download page on microsoft.com.
- Run it and choose to create installation media on a USB flash drive.
- Plug the USB drive into the PC you want to install Windows on and restart it. Open the boot menu (often F12, F11, Esc or F8 at startup, depending on the manufacturer) and choose the USB drive.
- Follow the setup screens. When asked for a product key, enter yours, or choose “I don’t have a product key” and activate afterwards.
- If asked, select the edition that matches your key, for example Windows 11 Pro for a Pro key.
- Choose Custom for a clean install and select the drive to install on.
Important: a clean install erases the selected drive. Back up your files first.
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