How to Install Windows 11 on your NEW PC! (And how to activate it)

Summary

In this video, viewers are guided through the process of installing and activating Windows 11 on a newly built PC. The tutorial covers creating a bootable USB drive, setting up the operating system, and handling additional storage drives. It also explains how to activate Windows 11, either using a product key or through automatic activation if linked to a Microsoft account. The video offers helpful tips for avoiding common pitfalls, such as accidental formatting of secondary drives, and provides options for purchasing a discounted product key if needed.

Takeaways

• 😀 Download the Windows 11 installation tool from Microsoft's website to create a bootable USB drive.
• 😀 Ensure the USB flash drive has at least 8GB of space and back up any important data before proceeding.
• 😀 The Windows installation process requires a clean USB drive, so make sure it's empty before starting.
• 😀 If your new PC has multiple storage drives, disconnect secondary drives to avoid accidentally formatting them.
• 😀 Boot from the USB drive by accessing the BIOS menu (usually with the Delete key or F12).
• 😀 If the system doesn't automatically boot from the USB, manually set the boot device in the BIOS boot options.
• 😀 During installation, you can skip entering a product key and still use Windows 11 with a watermark.
• 😀 Select the appropriate version of Windows 11 (Pro or Home) based on your product key to ensure compatibility.
• 😀 In the Windows installation process, choose 'Custom' installation for a clean setup and select the primary drive.
• 😀 After installation, complete the setup by configuring region, signing into your Microsoft account, and setting a PIN.
• 😀 To activate Windows 11, either use an existing product key associated with your Microsoft account or purchase one from a third-party provider for a cheaper option.

Q & A

What do you need to install Windows 11 on a new PC?

You need access to a laptop or PC and a USB flash drive with a minimum capacity of 8 GB.

How do you create a bootable USB drive with Windows 11?

You need to download the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft, run it, and select the USB flash drive option to create a bootable drive with Windows 11.

What should you do before starting the installation if you have multiple storage drives?

Disconnect any storage drives other than the one you want to install Windows on to avoid accidental formatting and ensure a clean installation.

What if the PC does not boot from the USB flash drive automatically?

You can restart the PC, enter the BIOS by pressing the appropriate key (usually Delete or F12), and manually select the USB drive to boot from.

What happens during the Windows 11 installation process?

The installation will take a few minutes, and the PC may restart a couple of times before completing the installation and reaching the final setup sequence.

What should you do during the final setup of Windows 11?

You will be prompted to set up preferences like region, connect to the internet, sign into a Microsoft account, and set a pin.

What if you don’t have a product key during the installation?

You can click 'I don’t have a product key' and continue using Windows 11 with a watermark, but activation can be done later.

How can you add additional storage drives back to your PC after installing Windows 11?

You can reconnect the drives and, if needed, initialize them using Disk Manager to make them visible in the File Explorer.

What should you do if the PC previously had an activated copy of Windows 10?

If the PC had an activated copy of Windows 10, the activation will likely carry over, and you won't need to do anything further.

How do you remove the Windows 11 watermark if you don’t have a product key?

You can purchase a Windows 11 product key from a third-party vendor like 'Who Keys,' apply a discount code, and then enter the key into the activation screen to remove the watermark.