Install Windows 11 with a USB Flash Drive

This guide will help you to install Microsoft Windows 11 (Home or Pro) from a USB Flash Drive that was created using the Microsoft Windows 11 Media installation assistant.

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14 steps
28 seconds

Microsoft

All files on the drive you plan to install Windows to will be deleted if you follow this guide, which is intended. Please ensure you have an adequate backup policy in place before proceeding if you have files of value.

Make sure the computer is turned off

Plug in the Windows 11 USB flash drive installation media

Turn on the computer and boot into your USB which has the Windows 11 Media on it. To do this you may need to change the BIOS boot order to have USB media as the first priority (this can usually be found under the boot tab), or simply look for the words 'boot menu' when you see your BIOS boot screen, press the corresponding function key and choose the USB flash drive to boot from it.

Select **Language to install** and **Time and currency format**, then click **Next**

Select Install Windows 11 and select checkbox '**I agree everything will be deleted including files, apps and settings**' Click **Next**

If prompted, select the Windows edition you want to install from the list, most commonly Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro. Then click **Next**

Continue on until you hit the license key screen. Here you can either enter your license code, or if Windows has been installed to this computer before, click on the **I don't have a product key link**.

This next step for Deleting Partitions will delete all files from your computer and they will be lost.

Click on each partition of the target drive and click **Delete partition** **Each means ALL But do you mean ALL? Yes, All.**

Once all the partitions are gone you will be left with unallocated space. Select the unallocated space and click **Next**

Confirm installing Windows 11 by clicking **Install**

You will now see Installing Windows 11 which during the process can restart your computer multiple times

When the installation process is almost complete, you will see this screen and your PC will automatically restart after a few seconds

As soon as your computer restarts, remove the USB flash drive from your computer to avoid booting from it again.

Let the installation process continue from here which can take several minutes until you see the welcome screen.

You have successfully installed Windows 11. Once the computer has rebooted, you will be greeted with the Out-of-the-Box Experience and you can start setting up your new installation of Windows.