How to Clean Install Windows 11 ?
In How to Create a Windows 11 Installation Media without any 3rd party software we’ve created a bootable USB/DVD which we’ll now use to install Windows 11.
After the bootable USB/DVD is created, kindly follow the steps mentioned bellow.
Note: Drivers for Surface devices may be found on the Download drivers and firmware for Surface page.
Before you install Windows 11, it’s a good idea to save any work and back up your PC before you start. If you used the Media Creation Tool to download an ISO file for Windows 11, remember to burn it to a DVD before following these steps.
Table of Contents
Start Installing Windows 11:
1. Attach the USB flash drive or insert the DVD on the PC where you want to install Windows 11.
2. Restart your PC.
Note:
I) If your PC does not automatically boot to the USB or DVD media, you might have to open a boot menu or change the boot order in your PC’s BIOS or UEFI settings.
II) To open a boot menu or change the boot order, you’ll typically need to press a key (such as F2, F12, Delete, or Esc) immediately after you turn on your PC.
III) If you do not see the USB or DVD media device listed within the boot options, you may need to reach out to the PC manufacturer for instructions for temporarily disabling Secure Boot in your BIOS settings.
IV) If changing the boot menu or order doesn’t work, and your PC immediately boots into the OS you want to replace, it is possible the PC had not fully shut down. To make sure the PC fully shuts down, click on the power button present in the sign-in screen or on the Start menu and then select the option Shut Down.
Important Note: If you made changes to the boot order in Step II, you may face a scenario where the initial Install Windows page will display after the installation process is complete. Reverting the changes to the boot order will enable Windows to boot normally again.
Starting with Language:
3. On the Install Windows page, select your language, time, and keyboard preferences, and then select Next.
4. Click on Install Now.
5. Clicking install, you will be required to Enter an Activation Key. Here you can choose to enter it now or skip and activate later.
6. Depending on the downloaded ISO, you will be required to select the operating system to install.
7. Then Accept the License terms.
8. In next screen you’ve to choose one option out of two; i.e. to upgrade the Windows or Custom: Install Windows Only (advanced).
Now here you should make the decision carefully.
I) If you choose to upgrade Windows then this normally keeps the files of the initial windows OS but installs the current Windows OS. Your previous data will not be lost here. We strongly recommend this option only if you’re a new user and don’t have any idea about Disk Partition. But if you’re familiar with windows format and disk partition we recommend you to choose the 2nd option.
II) In Custom Windows Installation you are free to make changes to disks and partitions. Here you will lose your previous data which are in C Drive or in which your previous OS was installed. All other drives remain safe. Data will not be affected on those drives.
9. For Users who choose the 1st Option, then Windows will automatically starts installing and there will be no option for Disk Partition; i.e. it directly took you to Step 11.
Windows Disk Partition
10. For Users who choose the 2nd Option, then the Partition Page will be shown.
Disk Partition is a most important step during Windows Installation. Here, we’ll guide you through some simple steps to make a successful disk partition.
Caution: Before you start we just want to confirm that the images that are used in this post may not be same as the situation that you’re in. So just take these images as a reference and follow the steps. We assured you that you’ll be able to do it.
1st Scenario:
First of all take a closer look at the below image.
Here a drive is showing unallocated disk space. So let’s take this as our 1st Scenario.
In this case the drive has already deleted and there is no data in this drive (You also can’t write in to a drive at this stage). So you’ve to select a new partition for this drive. That means click on New.
After clicking on New it will show you a warning: “To ensure that all Windows features work correctly, Windows might create additional partitions for system files.”
Don’t worry about it, just click on OK.
After this click on Apply and then Windows will create a new partition (Highlighted in red) for your drive and some additional partitions(which Windows already warn about before).
After selecting the Primary Partition you can proceed with your Windows installation by clicking Next.
2nd Scenario:
In this case let’s say you’ve already windows installed before in your system and you want a complete format and clean installation of windows.
Now look at the image below carefully.
In this stage there is more than one partition and also there is no unallocated space. Now, in this screen press SHIFT+F10 key to open Command Prompt(CMD/Terminal).
After opening CMD follow the below commands.
1. Type diskpart and press Enter. (It will open DISKPART for you in a new line.)
2. Type list disk and press Enter. (This will show all the disk(s) that is/are currently online on your device.)
N.B.: If you have only one disk in your system then kindly type list drive in place of list disk. This will show you the current drive(s) in your system.
3. Here comes the IMPORTANT PART. Kindly check thoroughly which drive is your preferable drive for Windows installation.
4. After checked, type select disk <your preferred disk number> and press Enter. (Let say in my case it is Disk 0. So I’ll type select disk 0)
Warning: If you choose the wrong partition then all of your data will be deleted and this process can’t be reversed. So kindly check carefully before you select the right one.
5. Type clean and press Enter.
6. Now Close the CMD Window.
7. Click on Refresh.
8. Now you should see only one partition depending on your preferred disk that you’ve chosen before during CMD commands. Click on New to start a new drive partition.
Congratulations !! You just partitioned your disk/drive successfully. Now choose a right disk/drive to continue installation of Windows.
Continue with Windows Installation
11. After successfully completed partition now click next to continue your Windows installation and wait for the installation process to finish.
When the above shown process finishes Windows will restart automatically in 10 seconds.
12. Well Done !! You have now completed your Windows installation. Now just proceed with some basics and then Windows 11 will be all yours.
Let’s start with your current region.
13. Now name your device.
Note: If you choose an online account here, then you’ll need your Microsoft Account to login. And further with online method windows will check for updates in that window which may be kind of irritating. So we suggest you to proceed with offline and after Windows 11 opens then you can add your account or check for updates. You’re free to choose which ever option(s) suits you.
14. Create a password for your new Windows.
14. Now for a password backup option (in case of you forgot your password) you’ve save 3 security questions and answers. Feel free to choose any question and its answer.
15. Accept the Privacy settings. (Default Settings are recommended.)
16. Now if you’ve chosen the online option then in next page Windows will check for updates.
17. Now all works are done. Just wait for few more minutes while Windows is getting all things ready for you. In this phase kindly don’t turn off your pc.
18. Congratulations !! You installed Windows 11 successfully. Now just go to settings and check for important driver, feature and security updates.
Now your Windows 11 is ready for use. Good Luck.
If you’ve any problem during windows installation feel free to ask us in comment section and we’ll definitely get back to you with a solution ASAP.
THANK YOU
