How to Install Windows 11 on a New PC - Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Summary

This video provides a step-by-step guide for installing Windows 11 on a newly built PC or a new SSD. It covers the entire process, including downloading the Windows 11 media creation tool, creating a bootable USB, and selecting the correct installation settings. The tutorial emphasizes important steps like choosing the right drive for installation, entering a product key, and setting up user preferences. The guide also explains how to handle multiple drives and provides troubleshooting tips, making it a comprehensive resource for anyone installing Windows 11 for the first time.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ensure you have a PC with internet access and an 8 GB USB flash drive to create the Windows 11 installation media.
• 😀 Visit microsoft.com/software-download to download the Windows Media Creation Tool for creating a bootable Windows 11 installation on your USB drive.
• 😀 The installation process involves accepting the software license terms, selecting your preferred language, and confirming the Windows edition you wish to install.
• 😀 Choose the USB flash drive as the media type, ensuring it's at least 8 GB in capacity. Make sure to back up any important data as the tool will erase the drive.
• 😀 It's best to have only the target drive connected during the installation to prevent installing the bootloader on the wrong drive.
• 😀 After setting up the USB installer, plug it into your new PC, boot it up, and access the BIOS to set the USB drive as the first boot device if needed.
• 😀 During the installation, you can skip entering a product key, but note that you can use Windows 11 for free with a watermark or enter the key later.
• 😀 Be cautious when selecting the drive for installation, especially if you have multiple drives connected, to avoid accidentally wiping data on other drives.
• 😀 After Windows installs, you will go through final setup steps like selecting your country, keyboard layout, signing into your Microsoft account, and configuring privacy settings.
• 😀 If network drivers are missing during the setup, you may need to manually install them. Instructions for this will be available in the video description.
• 😀 Once Windows 11 is installed, you can activate it through the Activation settings if you haven't done so already. For additional drives, use Disk Management to initialize and set them up.

Q & A

What are the minimum requirements for the USB flash drive used to create Windows 11 installation media?

The USB flash drive must have at least 8 GB of capacity.

Can I use Windows 11 without entering a product key during installation?

Yes, you can use Windows 11 without entering a product key during installation, but there will be a watermark on the desktop until you enter the key.

Why is it recommended to disconnect other drives during the Windows 11 installation process?

Disconnecting other drives helps prevent Windows from mistakenly installing the bootloader on a different drive and avoids accidental data loss if the wrong drive is selected during installation.

What should I do if my PC doesn't boot from the USB flash drive after turning it on?

If your PC doesn't boot from the USB flash drive, restart it and press the **Delete** key during the startup sequence to enter BIOS. From there, set the USB drive as the first boot device.

What happens if I select the wrong drive during the Windows 11 installation?

Selecting the wrong drive during installation could lead to data loss, as Windows will overwrite the selected drive. It’s important to carefully choose the correct drive, especially if multiple drives are connected.

What should I do if Windows 11 can't connect to the internet during installation?

If Windows 11 cannot connect to the internet, you may need to install a network driver first. The video mentions that additional instructions will be provided in the description for this scenario.

Is it necessary to activate Windows 11 right away after installation?

No, activation is optional at the time of installation. You can skip the activation process and use Windows 11 with a watermark, or enter your product key later when you're ready.

How can I activate Windows 11 if I didn’t enter a product key during installation?

To activate Windows 11 later, open the **Start** menu, type **Activation**, and then follow the prompts to enter your product key.

What do I need to do if I reconnect other drives after the installation process?

After reconnecting other drives, open **Disk Management** from the Start menu to initialize and format any new or unallocated drives before using them.

What options are available when selecting the version of Windows 11 during installation?

During installation, you can select the version of Windows 11 you wish to install, such as **Windows 11 Home** for general users. It’s important that the version selected matches the product key you intend to use.