STAGE 2: A FRESH INSTALL OF WINDOWS 11
STEP 1 Boot from the USB stick
Now, we’re making sweeping assumptions that your machine hits Microsoft’s technical specification for Windows 11 (if not, see
“How to bypass the requirements”, below). Insert the USB into the machine and restart. If you’re building a new PC, then the USB will probably be the only bootable device present so the installation procedure will begin automatically.
If this doesn’t happen, you’ll need to get the machine to boot from the USB stick. Depending on your exact specification, there can be a small amount of witchcraft involved, but F2, F8, F12 or DEL will normally trigger a response that you can work with.
STEP 2 Choose your settings
You’ll now be run through the usual Windows choices. Your settings should reflect those that you selected earlier, but if you want a change, now is the time to do it. Select Next.
STEP 3 Install Windows 11
After a few prompts, you’ll see a screen that invites you to “Install Now”. Take a deep breath and press the button (you backed up your data, right?). Windows will now work away for a few moments and present you with an activation window.
If you have a product key (licence code) for Windows 10, then it will work in this box, so enter the key and click Next. The key is usually somewhere on the case of desktop PCs but isn’t printed on laptop stickers so, once Windows 11 is installed, run Belarc Advisor ( pcpro.link/327belarc) to reveal the embedded code you’ll need for activation. If you’re not sure or you don’t require activation, select “I don’t have a product key”.
When prompted to “select the operating system you want to install”, including all the N versions we all thought had been consigned to history, choose the version of Windows that you require, which will most likely be Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro. Then click Next.
STEP 4 The custom route
The next question Microsoft throws at you is which type of installation you want, the upgrade or “custom”. In this tutorial, we’re using Custom: Install Windows Only, but this is your chance to upgrade everything in situ if you prefer. For the purposes of this walkthrough, we’ll assume that you’ve hit Custom and then Next.
You’ll be asked to choose the installation drive, as the installer needs telling where to install Windows 11. Our machine only has one drive, so the selection process is greatly simplified. If your PC has more than one drive, double-check that you’ve selected the correct one. If you’re unsure, power down the machine and disconnect the drive that you don’t want to use and then restart the process. Better to be safe than sorry. When you’re happy, click Next.
The process will begin, and exactly how fast your machine can whizz through this stage will determine how many biscuits you can eat after you have made the obligatory cup of tea. Three is a good baseline, but if you get to seven, your machine probably needs an upgrade.
STEP 5 Select your preferences
When you see a brand-new, swishy interface full of pastel colours and rounded edges, you can start to relax. If your installation made it this far, then you’ll probably make it over the finish line. Select your language preferences at this point and press Yes.
Windows 11 will now flash a few more settings at you. Make your preferences known and then wait for the machine to check for any updates. You never know... something may have happened since you started the process!
STEP 6 Identify yourself
You’ll now be asked to name your PC. This creates a machine identifier that’s used, among other things, for software licensing. Go for something meaningful as this may come in handy in a few years when you’re trying to spot which Office 365 licence you can safely deactivate. Click Next.
STEP 7 Add your Microsoft account
Windows 11 prefers you to use an online account, so use your Microsoft credentials here (or set up a new account). You can bypass this by putting in fred@fred.com and then a random password, at which point you’ll be asked to create a local account. That’s fine, but there are advantages to entering your true details, including integration with OneDrive and more options in the Windows Store.
Windows 11 will then throw a few more yes/no preference selections at you, mostly about use of your data. It’s worth letting Microsoft and apps use your location, as that means you can activate the “Find my device” option. You never know when that might come in handy. The remaining choices, about diagnostic data and advertising IDs, are a personal choice. As with Windows 10, you can modify your selections later.
STAGE 3: ENJOY WINDOWS 11!
After a short wait, you’ll be greeted with your virgin Windows 11 desktop. Don’t forget to download the latest drivers for your hardware.
Sadly, not everyone will get this far. Microsoft’s phased rollout is partly down to lingering incompatibilities that will break the Windows 10 to 11 upgrade process. However, as you’ve seen, on a clean installation, there’s a good chance you’ll get Windows 11 working right now.