How to install Windows 11 from a USB drive

A clean install takes about 30 minutes.

What you need

• A USB drive of 8 GB or more.
• A PC that meets the requirements.
• Your key, and a backup of your files.

Step 1: create the drive

Download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft and follow it.

Step 2: boot from USB

Restart and open the boot menu, usually F12, F2, Esc or Del.

Step 3: install

Choose the language, enter your key or skip it, select the disk and wait.

Step 4: first setup

Connect to the network and create your account.

Step 5: activate

Check the Activation page. It activates on its own if the PC had a licence.