How to Install Windows 11 from USB Step by Step - Beginner's Guide

The Microsoft Windows operating system is a vital part of many computer systems worldwide, thus familiarizing yourself with its installation methods is indispensable. This article provides a comprehensive, beginner's guide for installing Windows 11 from a USB. Notably, the system requirements for Windows 11 have been slightly bumped up from the previous versions, so make sure your system is compatible before proceeding.

Pre-Requisites

Before proceeding with the installation steps, you need to ascertain your machine meets specific minimum system requirements. These include a 1 gigahertz CPU with at least 2 or more cores, 64 GB or larger storage, 4 GB RAM, DirectX 12 or later, among others.

Moreover, you need a licensed copy of Windows 11 and a USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of space. If your system meets these requirements, the next step is to download Windows 11 onto your USB flash drive.

Step 1: Create a Windows 11 USB Installation Media

To create this USB installation media, you will first need the Windows 11 ISO file. You can download this file from the official Microsoft website. Make sure you select the right version of Windows 11 for your system, considering the 64-bit or 32-bit distinction.

After downloading the Windows 11 ISO file, you'll need the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool. This tool will transform your USB drive into bootable media, allowing you to install Windows 11 onto your machine. Follow its instructions to create your USB installation media.

Step 2: Set Your Computer to Boot from USB

The next step is to ensure your computer can boot from the USB drive. To do this, you'll need to access your system's BIOS or UEFI settings. Normally, you can do this by pressing a specific key (often DEL or F2) as the computer starts up.

Once you're in the BIOS/UEFI screen, look for the 'Boot Order' or 'Boot Priority' option. Here, you should prioritize the USB drive above other drives. After setting this, save your changes and exit.

Step 3: Install Windows 11 from USB

Now that we have our USB bootable media, and our computer is correctly set to boot from it, we can begin the Windows 11 installation process. Restart your computer and let the Windows 11 setup start.

Select your language, time format, and keyboard input method on the initial setup screen. Click "Next," then click the "Install Now" button. If you're performing a clean install on a drive or partition without an OS already installed, you will need to enter your Windows 11 product key.

Choose the edition of Windows 11 you have a license for, next choose 'Custom Install,' and then select the drive or partition where you want to install Windows. The installer will copy files, setup features, and finally, install updates.

Step 4: Post-Installation Setup

Once the Windows 11 installation is complete, you will be greeted with initial setup screens. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up personal preferences and user account setup.

After you've finished setting up, you can finally explore and enjoy your newly installed Windows 11!

With the help of this guide, you can smoothly install Windows 11 on your system. Just remember to back up any important data before you proceed as the installation process can lead to data loss.

In conclusion, the process of installing Windows 11 from a USB may seem daunting at first, but is really quite simple once you get the hang of it. Hopefully, this guide will ease and streamline your setup process.