Windows 11 Home & Pro (Activation Guide)

Here we'll show you how to reinstall, or fresh install Windows 11 with USB flash drive. To install according to our instructions, you should have access to a USB flash drive of at least 8 GB.

When you only need to activate Windows 11 and don't need to re-install or reinstall, you can click here for product key activation instructions.

However, if you do not have Windows 11 installed on your computer, you will need to do a fresh installation, simple step-by-step instructions are below.

INSTALL WINDOWS 11 WITH USB DRIVE

Here we will go through how to reinstall Windows 11 with USB drive. Make sure you have a USB drive of at least 8 GB and that it doesn't have the information you want to save because it will be deleted. We always recommend backing up all files on an external hard drive or cloud storage service.

STEP 1: Start on the Microsoft download page

Click on the link below to go to Microsoft's official downloads page.
Windows 11 (Click here!)

STEP 2: Download Media Creation Tool

Click on Download now to get the Media Creation Tool. You must have this tool to create installation files for Windows 11.

STEP 3: Open the tool

Run the program once it’s finished downloading.

STEP 4: Accept the license conditions

Now you need to accept the license terms. To do so, click on Accept. After you accept, the installation process continues.

STEP 5: Select the language for installation

Next, choose your language. Then you can click Next to continue.

STEP 6: Install on USB drive

Specify that you want to create your Windows 11 installation file on a USB drive. Once you have selected this, click Next.

STEP 7: Select USB drive

Select your USB drive from the list of detachable devices. Then click Next.

As mentioned earlier, it is important that your USB drive is empty. If there are files on it, this process will automatically delete them!

STEP 8: Wait for the download

The Windows 11 tool will be downloaded to your USB drive. This may take a few minutes, so please wait patiently.

STEP 9: Complete

You can now use your USB drive for installation and click Finish to proceed.
You are ready now to install Windows 11 on your computer. Here are the steps for installing with your USB flash drive.

Installation

STEP 1: Turn off the computer and connect the USB drive

Start by turning off your computer. Then insert your USB memory into one of the USB ports on your computer. Then you can start your computer.

This should cause the installation to start automatically and you can then proceed to Step 2. If this does not happen, do the following to tell your computer to boot from your USB flash drive:

  • Start the computer and immediately press DELETE, F2, F8 or F1. You should click several times to reach the motherboard's settings, called BIOS. You should be told which button to click once the computer starts to take you to the BIOS.
  • In BIOS, look up Boot Priority or Boot Order. You should find this in the Settings menu.
  • Now click on Boot Option #1 and choose to boot your computer from your USB stick.
  • Shut down BIOS and reboot by selecting Exit and Save Settings.

STEP 2: Choose language, time and currency format

Select the language, time, and currency formats. You should also select the keyboard layout for Windows 11. Then click Next and click Install now.

STEP 3: Enter the product key

Next, you are asked to enter your product key. You enter the license key that we sent you by email. Then click on Next.

STEP 4: Choose operating system

Choose the operating system you want to install on your computer. It can be Windows 11 Pro or Windows 11 Home, depending on what key you ordered from us. Then click Next.

STEP 5: Accept license terms

Now you have to accept the license terms by ticking the option I accept the license terms. Then click Next.

STEP 6: Select installation

Choose the type of installation you want to perform. If it's a new installation, choose Custom: Install Windows Advanced only.

STEP 7: Choose hard drive

Choose an empty hard drive to install Windows 11 on. Click Next to start the installation.

You can choose a hard drive that is not empty. Then select Delete or Format. Then select the hard drive and click the buttons you see below it.

Done!

The Wizard will now begin installing the Windows files. The length of this process varies from computer to computer and could take a bit of time. 
Once finished, your computer will reboot. Sometimes, you’ll get stuck in a boot loop where the system tries to bring you back to the installation process. This happens because the system might be trying to read from the USB drive instead of from the hard drive that you installed the OS. If this happens, remove the USB drive and restart the computer.