How to install Windows 11 from USB step by step

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Install Windows 11 from USB It's one of the most convenient and versatile ways to get Microsoft's new operating system up and running on almost any computer, whether you're starting from scratch, upgrading from Windows 10, or recovering a malfunctioning machine. Instead of relying on DVDs or online upgrade processes that sometimes fail, carrying the installation on a USB drive lets you always have a backup for your PC, or, if you prefer, you can Try Windows 11 without installing it.

Furthermore, use a USB flash drive installation medium It gives you room to perform a clean installation, remove traces of viruses or malware, reorganize partitions, reinstall Windows when something goes wrong, and even bypass certain hardware limitations if you use advanced tools like Rufus. Throughout this guide, you'll see, step by step and in great detail, how to prepare the USB drive, how to boot from it, and how to complete the Windows 11 installation without getting lost.

Prerequisites for installing Windows 11 from USB

Before you start creating the installation USB It's important to understand what Windows 11 requires to function correctly. The system officially only runs on 64-bit processors (x64 architecture), so if your computer has an older 32-bit CPU, it won't be compatible. You can check this by going to [link to Windows 11 documentation]. Settings> System> About or by searching for “System Information” in the Start menu and checking the “System Type” field.

It is also important that the PC meets the minimum requirements for Windows 11 Regarding RAM, storage, TPM, and other parameters, Microsoft makes it clear that while there are ways to force installation on incompatible systems, it is strongly discouraged: you could experience stability issues, missing drivers, and, most importantly, lose access to security updates and support. This warning also includes the possibility that damage caused by incompatibility may not be covered by the manufacturer's warranty.

Another key point is that have enough free space both on the computer from which you will create the USB and on the USB drive or external drive where you will download the Windows 11 image. You will usually need at least an 8 GB USB drive that is completely empty, because the process of creating the installation media erases everything on it.

Regarding activation and language, Make sure you have a valid license You'll need to install Windows 11 or a Windows 10 device that's eligible for upgrade. Many modern computers have the product key embedded in the firmware (UEFI), so the installer will automatically detect it if the Windows edition matches. You'll also need to select the same language you currently use on your system, which you can check in [link to relevant documentation]. Time and language (Configuration) or in Region (Control Panel).

Lastly, it is essential have a stable Internet connectionBecause the media creation tool will download several gigabytes of data. The time it takes will depend on your internet speed and the USB drive itself. If your plan is to create a bootable DVD instead of a USB drive, you'll need a blank disc of at least 8 GB (or a dual-layer DVD if the ISO file is too large) and a working DVD burner.

Create a Windows 11 installation USB drive using the official tool

The simplest and most recommended way To prepare a USB drive with Windows 11, you need to use the official Microsoft tool, known as Media Creation ToolThis application downloads the latest version of the operating system and transfers it to the USB drive, making it ready to boot.

To start, Go to the official Windows 11 download page on the Microsoft website (section “Download Windows 11” or “Software Download Windows 11”). Within that page, locate the block called “Create Windows 11 installation media” and click on the button "Download now"An executable file will be downloaded, usually named MediaCreationTool.exe or similar.

Once you have the tool on your PC, Run the EXE file with administrator privileges.When it opens, you'll first see the Microsoft license terms. You'll need to check the box or click on Accept in order to continue, since without accepting these conditions you are not allowed to use the application.

In the next step, the tool will ask you what do you want to doIn the case of Windows 11, you must select the option “Create installation media for another PC” and then click on NextNext, you will be asked to indicate the language, edition and architecture (64 bits) of Windows 11 that you want to download. By default, the assistant usually selects “Use the recommended options for this PC,” which typically matches your current PC configuration.

If you need it, you can disable recommended options To manually change the language or edition, for example, to prepare a USB drive that you'll use on another computer with a different configuration. When you're ready, click on Next to advance to the next section of the wizard.

Now it's time to choose the type of media that will be created. The tool offers you two options: USB flash drive o ISO fileIf you want a bootable USB drive without any hassle, select the option "USB flash drive"The ISO file alternative is intended for burning a DVD or creating the USB drive later with other software, but with the direct flash drive option, the program itself takes care of everything automatically.

With the media type already selected, Connect a USB drive with at least 8 GB to your computer capacity. On the next screen, the tool will display a list of available drives for you to choose from. Carefully select your USB drive from the list (make sure you don't choose a hard drive or other drive with important data) and click on Next to confirm.

In this point, The wizard will begin downloading Windows 11 and creating the boot disk on the USB drive. You'll see a progress bar that will move as the files are downloaded and prepared on the drive. The process may take a while depending on your internet connection speed and the USB drive's performance, so it's important not to turn off your computer or remove the USB drive while the operation is in progress.

When it's all over, The tool will display a message indicating that the USB is ready.You'll just have to click on Finalize To close the application. From that moment on, the USB drive will work as a Windows 11 installation medium and you can use it for clean installations, reinstalls, or system repairs.

Create a Windows 11 installation USB drive using Rufus and an ISO image

If you want to go a step further To have more control over how the installer behaves, you can prepare the USB drive with Rufus. Rufus is a free, lightweight, and quite popular tool for creating bootable drives from ISO images, and it offers advanced features that the official Microsoft tool doesn't include.

The first thing you will have to do is Download the official Windows 11 ISOTo do this, return to the Microsoft page dedicated to Windows 11 and, instead of using the installation media section, scroll down to the block called “Download Windows 11 disk image (ISO file) for x64 devices”In the editing dropdown menu, select the version you want to download, then click on RSVP and choose the corresponding language. After confirming again, a button will appear to download the ISO file, which you should save to your computer.

While the image is downloading, Download Rufus from its official websiteIt requires no complex installation: simply run the file corresponding to the standard or portable version. Once open, you'll see a simple interface with several fields and drop-down menus to configure the boot device.

At the top, you will need choose the USB device you are going to useMake sure to connect the USB drive (at least 8 GB) to the PC port and select it in the section "Device"Just below, in the box “Start-up choice”, click on the button Select and navigate through your computer's folders until you find the Windows 11 ISO you downloaded earlier.

Keep in mind that, just like with the Microsoft tool, Rufus will completely erase the contents of the USB driveIf you have important files there, back everything up to another location beforehand to avoid losing anything. Once you have the correct device and ISO selected, you can review the remaining options (partition scheme, target system, etc.), which Rufus usually adjusts automatically based on the image.

By pressing on StartRufus will display a window with several specific options for adapting the Windows 11 installerThis is one of the great advantages over the official method: you can decide, for example, that the wizard creates a local account without needing an internet connection during the initial setup, that it directly uses the regional settings of your current system to save time, or that Skip all privacy questions by default selecting the most restrictive setting.

You will even have the possibility to Remove the minimum requirements for Windows 11, for example to use Flyoobe 2.0 to install Windows 11 on incompatible devices. You should keep in mind, however, that forcing installation on an unsupported PC carries the risks we've already mentioned: not receiving updates, potential errors, and lack of support.

When you have finished checking the boxes that interest you, Confirm the operation and let Rufus do his jobThe program will format the USB drive, copy the files from the ISO, and convert it into a bootable device ready to install Windows 11 with the custom conditions you have chosen.

Booting the computer from the Windows 11 USB drive

With the USB readyThe next step is to boot the computer from that device instead of the usual hard drive. To do this, completely shut down the computer where you're going to install Windows 11 and connect the USB drive to an available USB port.

When I turn on the computer, You will have to press the key that gives access to the boot menu or to the boot device selector. This key varies depending on the manufacturer and model: in many cases it will be F8, F12, F2, Escape or DeleteHowever, this may vary, so it's best to consult your device's manual or the manufacturer's website. In any case, you'll need to press it immediately after pressing the power button, before the operating system loads.

If all goes well, a will appear Simple menu with the list of drives from which you can bootYou'll see your computer's internal hard drive or SSD, the DVD drive (if present), and your USB flash drive, usually identified by its brand or model. Use the arrow keys to select the flash drive and confirm with Enter so that the team can start from there.

On some computers, instead of a quick boot menu, you will have to Enter the BIOS or UEFI and change the boot order To set the USB drive as the first boot device, the key to enter BIOS/UEFI is usually F2, Delete, or a similar function. From there, modify the "Boot Order" so that the USB flash drive has priority and save the changes before restarting.

If you don't see the USB drive among the options, it may be that Secure Boot is enabled This could mean that certain media are blocked, or that the specific USB port isn't recognized at startup. In that case, try other connectors, check your UEFI settings to temporarily disable Secure Boot, or contact the manufacturer's support for more detailed instructions.

Install Windows 11 from USB step by step

When the computer manages to boot from the USB drive, The Windows 11 installer will loadThe first thing you'll see is the initial screen where you can select the system language, time and currency format, and keyboard layout. Adjust these settings to your preferences and tap on Next to continue.

The button will appear on the assistant's main screen. "Install Now" in the center. Click on it to start the installation. In the lower corner you will also have the option to “Repair the equipment”This is useful if you already have Windows installed but it's corrupted and you just want to access the recovery tools.

The system will then ask you enter the Windows 11 product keyIf you have a new license, enter it in the corresponding field. If you are installing Windows 11 on a computer that already had a valid digital license (for example, a PC with genuine Windows 10 that meets the requirements), you can use the option “I don’t have a product key”In that case, activation will be done automatically later, as long as the installed edition matches the one associated with your computer.

After the key, you will need Choose the edition of Windows 11 you want to install (Home, Pro, etc.). It's essential that it matches your license, otherwise you might have activation problems. Select the appropriate option, then click on Next and accept the terms of the license agreement by checking the box and proceeding again with the corresponding button.

At the next step, the installer will ask you What type of installation do you want to carry out?Two main options will appear: “Update: Install Windows and keep your files, settings, and apps” y “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)”The first option tries to keep your programs, documents, and settings (useful if you're coming from Windows 10 and everything works relatively well), while the second option is designed for a clean installation, starting from scratch.

If you choose the upgrade option, The assistant will attempt to migrate your current environment to Windows 11 while keeping most of your data. Even so, it's always highly recommended to back up important files beforehand, either to OneDrive, an external drive, or clone Windows to the new SSD, in case something goes wrong during the process.

If you prefer the advanced route, more drastic but also “cleaner”, you will enter the screen of partition and drive managementFrom there you can delete volumes, create new partitions, format existing ones, or choose which partition you want to install Windows 11 on. If you need help, consult guides on [the relevant section]. How to partition a 1 TB diskThe controls appear at the bottom of the window, with buttons such as “Delete”, “Format” or “New”So pay close attention to avoid erasing a disk with data you need to keep.

Once you select the partition where the system will go and click on Next, Windows 11 will begin copying files and installingYou will see several phases: file copying, component preparation, feature installation, updates, and final tasks. The computer will restart several times during this process; this is perfectly normal, and you should not interrupt it or remove the USB drive until instructed.

If you have changed the boot order to give priority to the USB drive, it is possible that The installer's initial screen will be displayed again after the first restart.If this happens, simply exit the wizard, shut down your computer, and re-enter the BIOS/UEFI to restore the original boot order, placing the internal hard drive in front of the USB drive. This will allow the system to continue the installation from the drive where the files were already copied.

After the main part is completed, The initial configuration phase of Windows 11 will beginHere, you'll need to specify your region, keyboard layout, whether or not to connect to the internet, add or create an account (Microsoft or local, depending on the chosen method), set a PIN, privacy settings, usage preferences, and other options. If you created the USB drive with Rufus and enabled some automation options, several of these screens will be shortened or automatically filled in with the values ​​you entered.

Using the installation media to reinstall or upgrade Windows 11

In addition to being useful for installing from scratch, A USB drive with Windows 11 is very useful for reinstalling or upgrading an existing system.You don't always need to boot your computer from the USB drive: if your current Windows is working, you can insert the drive and launch the installer directly from the operating system itself.

To do this, log in to Windows normally, Connect the USB flash drive with the installation media. and wait for the system to recognize it. A pop-up window usually appears asking what you want to do with the content; in that case, select the option “Run setup.exe”If nothing pops up, open the File Browsergo to This teamLocate the USB device in “Devices and drives”, right-click it and choose “Install or run program from the media”.

The window will open Windows 11 configuration within the system itselfwhich will guide you through the different preparation screens. In the section “Ready to install” You can decide what you want to keep when updating. By default, the option is usually selected. “Keep personal apps and files”, which preserves your programs, documents, and settings whenever possible.

If you click on the link “Change what should be preserved”Three possibilities will be shown: keep personal files and applications, keep only personal files (removing programs and settings) or to keep nothingThis option erases everything and leaves the computer as if it were a fresh installation. This last option will require you to back up your documents to OneDrive or an external storage device beforehand if you don't want to lose them.

Once you confirm your choice and go through the final screens of the assistant, The in-place upgrade process to Windows 11 will begin.The computer will restart several times, and eventually, your system will be updated to the latest version, keeping everything you chose to retain. This same principle applies if you use a USB drive to upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11.

If your intention is Reinstall Windows 11 on a device that already had itYou can boot the computer directly from the USB drive (as explained earlier) and follow the installation steps. In this scenario, you can again choose between an upgrade or a clean install, depending on whether you want to keep your data or start from scratch to resolve serious performance or malware issues.

Anyways, It is highly recommended to check for updates. Once the system is installed or reinstalled, go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates to download patches, drivers, and the latest updates. If you have a Surface device or another model with specific drivers, it's best to visit the manufacturer's website or the [website/page name]. drivers and firmware for Surface to ensure that all hardware is working at 100%.

As you see, Have a Windows 11 installation USB drive handy It opens up a world of possibilities: you can use it to install the system on new computers, update older installations, or recover PCs that have become unusable after a serious failure. Knowing these steps well will save you from more than one headache and allow you to get any computer up and running in no time.