When your important files are safely saved elsewhere, you are ready to choose a clean install method for Windows 11. And that obviously includes before a clean install of Windows 11.Ī cloud storage vault can be your friend here, but copying everything you want to save to a removable USB flash drive will also work. And if you don’t perform a full backup regularly, at least ensure you protect your essential files before any major update or system change. If there is one rule more PC users should follow, it is: always back up. The most common issue you’ll run into, which is usually easy to fix, is TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot not being enabled. The app is easy to use, but if you need help, our guide to checking if your PC can run Windows 11 explains it in detail.

If not, you can download it from the PC Health Check page. The app was included with the KB5005463 update for Windows 10 in May 2022, so you might be able to find it in the Start Menu. You can use the free PC Health app to check if your PC is compatible with Windows 11. This has resulted in many older computers being blocked from accessing the update. With Windows 11, Microsoft imposed some fairly strict minimum specifications for the devices it can be installed on. The whole process has gradually been streamlined over the years, so even if you have never previously installed a Windows OS, problems should be minimal. If you are suitably prepared and have everything you need readily at hand, performing a clean install of Windows 11 is usually stress-free. Preparing Your PC for a Clean Install of Windows 11 Of these, creating bootable media on a USB flash drive is the most complicated, but also the one most likely to work for many different setups. The clean install methods below should cover most, if not all, possible starting points. There are several methods available for a clean install of Windows 11, but not all are suitable for every situation. It can even breathe new life into a PC plagued by crashes or manufacturer bloatware. Knowing how to perform a clean install of Windows 11 is useful in a number of situations, not least for avoiding potential errors and conflicts when upgrading from an older version of the OS. Boot with the flash drive connected and follow the Windows 11 setup prompts.Enter the BIOS on the target PC and change the boot order so Removable Devices comes first.Select the 'USB Flash Drive' option and let it write Windows 11 to an 8GB or larger drive.Run mediacreationtool.exe and choose the language and edition you want.Download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website.For a clean install of Windows 11, follow these steps:

Windows 10 pro clean install