Installing Windows 11
Note: This is a clean-install
Caution
All files on the drive you plan to install Windows to will be deleted if you follow this guide - this is intended. Please ensure you have an adequate backup policy in place before proceeding if you have files of value.
Prerequisites
An internet connection.
A working computer to run the Windows Media Creation Tool.
A USB flash drive that is at least 8GB or greater.
# Steps
Creating installation media
There are two ways you can use to create an installation media. If you're new to this, you should probably use MCT (Media Creation Tool).
Rufus is another choice for advanced users with a lot more configurable options for your installation.
Ventoy is also a choice for advanced users who want to manage all their ISOs into one singular drive.
Create a bootable USB flash drive using the Create Windows 11 Installation Media download from Microsoft. It can be found under the headline “Create Windows 11 Installation Media”
Warning
Save MCT to Desktop or Downloads folder. MCT must be saved and run from outside the USB flash drive. Just moving an ISO file to the USB flash drive will not make it bootable.
Run MCT by double clicking it. You will be greeted with Windows Terms Of Service. Press Accept.
Keep this as default, press next.
Select create installation media for another PC, and then click next.
Select USB flash drive, then press next.
6. Select the USB you want to use, press next.
Caution
This step will wipe the selected USB Flash drive, so ensure you have nothing important on the USB drive, and back up all important documents.
7. Wait until MCT finish its job. this may take some time.
After MCT finishes, shutdown your PC.
Download the Windows Multi Edition ISO from here
Download and run Rufus.
If you have multiple drives inserted, select the one you desire.
Select
ISO Imageand then browse for the Windows ISO image. It should then look like this:
Select the Partition scheme (GPT/MBR) depending on your motherboard’s capabilities.
Click
Start. You will now see a couple of options. If you don't know what they do, leave them as is.
Eject the USB flash drive and then restart. You should now be able to boot into your newly flashed drive!
Caution
While Ventoy does support secure boot, there is a chance that it wont work for other ISOs. For this, you will have to refer to their troubleshooting guide. If you don't want to enroll the MOK keys, simply turn off Secure Boot.
Download the Windows Multi Edition ISO from here
Download the .zip of Ventoy and extract it
Run the
Ventoy2Disk.exeprogramSelect your drive and press
Install. It should look like this.
After flash, the right box should have the same numbers as the one in the left.
Then copy the Windows ISO to the root of VENTOY, not VTOYEFI!
Restart your computer and boot into Ventoy. If successful, Windows (and other ISOs you have copied to) should appear here!
Boot into your USB
Plug in the Windows USB installer and spam Esc when booting the laptop.
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.
Installing Windows
Click “Install now”
Warning
If you do not see an installer like the below screenshot, click next twice, then click “Previous version of Setup” near the bottom left corner of the installer window.
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 keylink.
Continue on until you reach the “Which type of installation do you want?” screen. Click “Custom”.
Select the largest "primary" partition (should be at least 500GB). Click format. Make sure you have the right one selected. At this point click
Next
Caution Do not delete any partitions, especially the smaller ones. They contain OEM image
After formatting completes, click on the same "primary partition" again, then continue.
Windows will now install. When it finishes it will automatically restart your machine, when your screen goes black pull out your installation USB drive.
Congratulations!
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.
Base Windows Setup
Windows Updates Open Windows Updates and update everything. Reboot when needed. Repeat until updates are gone. If updates are "stuck," click
pause updatesthenresume updatesand repeat above steps.\Graphics Driver Updates Open the 'NVIDIA' and 'AMD Adrenalin' app to update your graphics drivers. This is crucial for optimal performance. Avoid updating graphics drivers from Windows Update/GHelper as they can be pretty old. Additionally, install GHelper and make sure Armoury Crate is not installed. Don't know what GHelper is or how to install? Click here for the tutorial - Installing GHelper
Windows Store Updates Open Microsoft Store -> click library on bottom left -> update everything. Uninstall any apps you don't want. Don't uninstall Realtek Audio Console or Dolby Access
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