Installation and Upgrade Clean Install Windows 11

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This tutorial will show you step by step on how to clean install Windows 11 at boot on your PC with or without an Internet connection and setup with a local account or Microsoft account.

Windows 11 has all the power and security of Windows 10 with a redesigned and refreshed look. It also comes with new tools, sounds, and apps. Every detail has been considered. All of it comes together to bring you a refreshing experience on your PC.

A clean install of Windows 11 will wipe out everything on the drive you select to install Windows 11 on giving you a completely new default installation of Windows 11.

Starting with Windows 11 build 25905, Microsoft have adjusted the prerequisites (removal of Modern Standby/HSTI validation and untrusted DMA ports check) for enabling device encryption so that it is automatically enabled when doing clean installs of Windows 11.

References:

If you’d like to see if your current PC meets the minimum requirements, download and run the PC Health Check app.


It is required to be connected to the Internet if you want to set up a Microsoft account during Windows Setup.

It is not required to be connected to the Internet if you want to set up a local account during Windows Setup.


If you set up a Microsoft account during Windows Setup, it will get linked to OneDrive to backup and sync your files by default. You can either set up a local account instead to avoid this, or stop the backup and sync of your files to OneDrive when the installation is complete.

If you set up a Microsoft account during Windows Setup, your user profile folder in the "C:\Users" folder will be named with the first 5 characters of the email address used for your Microsoft account. If you want to specify the name of your user profile folder in the "C:\Users" folder, then you will need to set up a local account during Windows Setup instead of a Microsoft account so your user profile folder will have the same name you enter as the local account name. When Windows 11 has finished installing, you can switch to a Microsoft account from the local account (if wanted) without the user profile folder name getting changed.


You can still use either step below when you get to them in this tutorial to create a local account instead of a Microsoft account during Windows Setup.

step 15 = This step uses the start ms-cxh:localonly or start ms-cxh://setaddlocalonly command to set up a local account with network.

step 17 = The red warning box under this step uses the reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\OOBE /v BypassNRO /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f command to bypass network requirements to then be able to set up a local account.

step 22 = The blue tip box under this step has you use the Domain join instead option that allows you to set up a local account with network.




Here's How:

1 If you have not already, you will need to create a bootable Windows 11 installation USB with UEFI support.

2 It is recommended to temporarily disconnect or disable all non OS hard drives until Windows installation has finished for the following reasons:
  • To avoid you mistakenly deleting or formatting the wrong disk or drive.
  • To prevent Windows Setup from installing the boot configuration files (bootloader) to a different connected hard drive instead of on the disk Windows will be installed on.
3 Boot to the UEFI firmware settings for your motherboard, and enable UEFI or disable Legacy BIOS (CSM) mode.

Usually it will already be set to UEFI mode by default unless you have an old system. You may need to read your PC's or motherboard's manual for its specific instructions on how to change this setting.


4 Boot from the Windows 11 installation USB flash drive on your computer.

5 Perform the following steps to select your language and keyboard settings: (see screenshots below)
  1. Select your Language to install.
  2. Select your Time and currency format.
  3. Click/tap on Next.
  4. Select your Keyboard or input method.
  5. Click/tap on Next.
New_select_language.png
New_select_keyboard.png

6 Select (dot) Install Windows 11, check I agree everything will be deleted including files, apps, an settings, and click/tap on Next.

Clean_install_Windows_11-2.png

7 Enter your Windows 11 product key, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

The product key you enter will determine which edition of Windows 11 gets installed, and is required to activate Windows 11 unless you activate with a digital license instead. If you don't enter a product key and click/tap on I don't have a product key, you will be able to select the Windows 11 edition you want to install at step 8 below, but Windows 11 will not be activated.

You can enter an official Windows 7, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10 retail product key (OEM keys will not work) not currently used to activate Windows on another PC, and click/tap on Next to activate Windows 11.

⚠️ Free Activation from Windows 7/8 key or upgrade to Windows 10/11 Ends

If you do not have a product key available right now, click/tap on the I don't have a product key link, select the Windows 11 edition you want to install at step 8. You will be able to manually activate Windows 11 with your product key when you want later after the Windows 11 installation has finished.

If you want to activate with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account, click/tap on the I don't have a product key link, select the Windows 11 edition you want to install at step 8, and add your linked Microsoft account at step 20 .

You will not be asked to enter a product key if installing Windows 11 Enterprise. You will need to manually activate later after installation has finished.

If this is an OEM PC that has a valid product key embedded in its UEFI firmware chip, then you will not be prompted to enter a product key. Windows 11 will automatically use the embedded product key if its valid for the edition being installed. If needed, you can change the product key after installation has finished.


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8 If you clicked on I don't have a product key in step 7 above, then select the Windows 11 edition you want to install, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

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9 Click/tap on Accept for applicable notices and license terms. (see screenshot below)

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10 Perform one of the following actions to select a drive or disk to install Windows 11 on: (see screenshots below)

  • Delete all partitions on the Drive # (ex: Drive 0) you want to install Windows 11 until that Drive # shows only as one Unallocated Space, select the unallocated space, and click/tap on Next.

    Starting with Windows 11 build 27774.1000 (Canary), you will now see a confirmation dialog when formatting or deleting partitions.

  • Select a Primary or unallocated partition on a drive you want to install Windows 11, Delete the partition/volume if not already unallocated, click/tap on OK to confirm, and click/tap on Next.

If RAID is enabled in UEFI/BIOS, Windows Setup may not see any drive(s) available to select to install on.

In this situation, you could either disable RAID in BIOS/UEFI or select to "Add driver" to install the RAID driver from your OEM/motherboard manufacturer's chipset.

AMD Quick Start Guide- Chapter 5: Install AMD-RAID Drivers (PDF)

Intel Support - Installing the Operating System onto a RAID Volume—F6 Install Method

If no drives can be found during Windows 11 or Windows 10 installation (Intel 11th Generation processors)


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11 Click/tap on Install when ready. (see screenshot below)

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12 The installation of Windows 11 will now begin. (see screenshots below)

During the installation process, your screen may flash and the computer may restart a few times.


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13 When installation has finished, select your country or region (ex: "United States"), and click/tap on Yes. (see screenshot below)

If you would like to set up this PC to have an OOBE (Out-of-box Experience) so another user/owner can pick up at this step to finish setting up Windows on the PC with their own account and preferences the next time the PC it turned on, then:

1. Press the Shift + F10 keys when you see the screenshot below to open a command prompt.
2. Type C:\Windows\System32\shutdown -s -t 0 -f into the command prompt, and press Enter to shut down Windows.



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14 Select the keyboard layout (ex: "US") you want, and click/tap on Yes. (see screenshot below)

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15 If you are installing a Windows 11 Home or Pro edition and want to set up a local account, then do not click/tap on Skip and follow the steps below: (see screenshot below)

If you want to set up a Microsoft account or Work or School account, then skip this step 15, and go to step 16 instead.


A) Press the Shift + F10 keys to open a command prompt.​

You may need to press the Shift + Fn + F10 keys on some devices instead.


B) Type either command below in the command prompt, and press Enter.​

start ms-cxh:localonly

OR​

start ms-cxh://setaddlocalonly


New_local_account-1.webp

C) Enter a user name you want for this local account. (see screenshots below)​

D) Enter and Re-enter to confirm a password you want for this local account.​

If you do not want this local account to have a password, leave the password field empty, and go to step 15H below.


E) Select a security question (1 of 3) you want from the drop menu, and type your answer.​

F) Select a security question (2 of 3) you want from the drop menu, and type your answer.​

G) Select a security question (3 of 3) you want from the drop menu, and type your answer.​

H) Click/tap on Next, and go to step 21G to finish setting up your local account after a restart.​

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16 Select Add layout or Skip depending on if you want to add a second keyboard layout or not. (see screenshot below)

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17 Windows Setup will now check for an Internet connection. If an Internet connection is not detected, it will prompt you to connect and select an Ethernet network and/or setup and connect to a Wi-Fi network (if available), and click/tap on Next. (see screenshots below)

If needed, you can click/tap on the Install Driver button to install any required network drivers you have previously downloaded (ex: on USB) to connect afterwards.


It is required to have an Internet connection if you want to set up a Microsoft account, or work or school account.

If you do not have an Internet connection, you will only be able to set up a local account instead of a Microsoft account during Windows Setup.

If installing a Windows 11 Education edition and you currently do not have an Internet connection available, you can click/tap on I don't have Internet and go to step 21 to set up a local account.


If you are installing a Windows 11 Home or Pro edition and want to bypass the network requirements to set up a local account, you can still do this:

A) Press the Shift + F10 keys to open a command prompt.
B) Type the command below in the command prompt, and press Enter.

reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\OOBE /v BypassNRO /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

C) Type shutdown /r /f /t 0 in the command prompt, and press Enter to Restart the computer.
D) After the computer restarts, you will now go back to step 13. Be sure to skip step 15.
E) When you get back to this step 17, click/tap on I don't have internet, and go to step 21 to set up a local account.

BypassNRO.webp


I_dont_have_internet.webp
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18 If installing a Windows 11 Home or Pro edition, type a name you want for the PC, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshots below)

You can always rename the PC at anytime if needed.

Your PC name cannot have more then 15 characters.

Your PC name cannot have spaces or any of the following special characters: " /\ [] : | <> + + ; , ?


Starting with Windows 11 build 26100.8524 (24H2) and build 26200.8524 (25H2), you can now choose a custom name for your user folder on the Device Name page when going through Windows setup. This most recent update now makes it easier to choose a custom name. The naming option is available during setup only. If you skip this step, Windows will use the default folder name and continue setup as usual. User folder names must follow standard Windows naming requirements.


ComputerName.jpg
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19 Perform an action below for which type of account you want to set up: (see screenshot below)

You will not see this step if installing a Windows 11 Home edition. You will see step 20 instead.

You will not see this step if installing a Windows 11 Education edition. You will see step 22 instead.


  • Click/tap on Set up for personal use, click/tap on Next, and go to step 20 to set up a Microsoft account on your personal PC.
  • Click/tap on Set up for work or school, click/tap on Next, and go to step 22 to set up a work or school account on your PC to join a domain.
Clean_install_Windows_11-14.jpg

20 Set Up Windows 11 with a Microsoft Account

For more details about a Microsoft account, see: Microsoft account | Microsoft Docs


A) Click/tap on Sign in. (see screenshot below)​

MSA_required.jpg

B) Type in the email address for your Microsoft account, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)​

If you do not have a Microsoft account and would like to use one, click/tap on the Create one link to create a new Microsoft account.


Clean_install_Windows_11_Microsoft_account-1.jpg

C) Type in the password for your Microsoft account, and click/tap on Sign in. (see screenshot below)​

Clean_install_Windows_11_Microsoft_account-3.jpg

D) If you have two-step verification turned on for your Microsoft account, select how (ex: email or text) you would like to get a code sent to you. (see screenshots below)​

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E) Provide any other required information based on how you selected to get a code, and click/tap on Send code. (see screenshot below)​

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F) Enter the code you received from Microsoft, and click/tap on Verify. (see screenshot below)​

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G) Click/tap on Create PIN. (see screenshot below)​

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H) Enter a PIN you want to use to sign in with, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)​

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I) Turn On (default) or Off the privacy settings you want, and click/tap on Accept when finished. (see screenshots below)​

You will be able to change these privacy settings at anytime in Windows 11.

Clean_install_Windows_11-_privacy_settings-1.jpg
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J) If you don't want to use Restore from this PC from a selected PC, then click/tap on More options, click/tap on Set up as a new PC, and click/tap on Set up as a new PC again to confirm. (see screenshots below)​

You can select to restore your settings, preferences, Microsoft Store apps, and synced OneDrive files from another device instead of setting up as a new device.


Clean_install_Windows_11_Microsoft_account-10A.png Clean_install_Windows_11_Microsoft_account-10b.png Clean_install_Windows_11_Microsoft_account-10c.png


K) Check all the ways you plan to use this device, and click/tap on Accept. (see screenshot below)​

Click/tap on Skip instead if you do not want to select (check) any device usages.

You can change your device usage options at any time in Windows 11.


Clean_install_Windows_11_Microsoft_account-11.jpg
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L) Scan the QR code with your Android phone to link it if wanted, and click/tap on Continue. (see screenshot below)​


Click/tap on Skip instead if you do not want to link an Android phone.

This option is only available starting with Windows 11 build 22567.


Clean_install_Windows_11_Microsoft_account-14.jpg

M) If prompted to "Always have access to your recent browsing data" for Microsoft Edge, click/tap on Now now or Accept for what you want. (see screenshot below)​

edge.jpg

N) If prompted to "Join PC Game Pass for only $$ a month", click/tap on Skip for now or Join for what you want. (see screenshot below)​

GamePass.jpg

O) If prompted to "Try premium Office apps for free with Microsoft 365", click/tap on Decline or Continue for what you want. (see screenshot below)​

Microsoft_365.png

P) If prompted to "Get 100 GB more cloud storage" for OneDrive, click/tap on Decline or Continue for what you want. (see screenshot below)​

Cloud_storage.png

Q) Go to step 23.​


21 Set Up Windows 11 with a Local Account

For more details about a local account, see: Local account | Microsoft Docs:


A) Enter a user name you want for this local account, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)​

Clean_install_Windows_11-_local_account-4.jpg

B) Enter a password you want for this local account, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)​

If you do not want this local account to have a password, leave the password field empty, click/tap on Next, and go to step G below.


Clean_install_Windows_11-_local_account-5.jpg

C) Enter the password again to confirm, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)​

Clean_install_Windows_11-_local_account-6.jpg

D) Select a security question (1 of 3) you want from the drop menu, type your answer, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)​

Clean_install_Windows_11-_local_account-7.jpg

E) Select a security question (2 of 3) you want from the drop menu, type your answer, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)​

Clean_install_Windows_11-_local_account-8.jpg

F) Select a security question (3 of 3) you want from the drop menu, type your answer, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)​

Clean_install_Windows_11-_local_account-9.jpg

G) Turn On (default) or Off the privacy settings you want, and click/tap on Accept when finished. (see screenshots below)​

You will be able to change these privacy settings at anytime in Windows 11.

Clean_install_Windows_11-_privacy_settings-1.jpg
Clean_install_Windows_11-_privacy_settings-4.jpg
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H) Go to step 23.​

22 Set Up Windows 11 with a Work or School Account

A) Type in the email address for your work or school account, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)​

If you wanted to set up a local account, you can click/tap on Sign-in options instead, click/tap on Domain join instead, and go to step 21.


W11_clean_install_work_or_school_account-1.png

B) Type in the password for your work or school account, and click/tap on Sign in. (see screenshot below)​

W11_clean_install_work_or_school_account-2.png

C) Turn On (default) or Off the privacy settings you want, and click/tap on Accept when finished. (see screenshots below)​

You will be able to change these privacy settings at anytime in Windows 11.

Clean_install_Windows_11-_privacy_settings-1.jpg
Clean_install_Windows_11-_privacy_settings-4.jpg
Clean_install_Windows_11-_privacy_settings-2.jpg
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D) Windows Setup will check for updates. (see screenshot below)​

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E) If prompted to use Windows Hello with your account, click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)​

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F) If your organization requires additional security information, click/tap on Next, and follow any other given instructions to verify. (see screenshot below)​

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G) When finished, go to step 23.​

23 When the clean install has finished, you will be on your desktop in Windows 11 with the Start menu open. (see screenshot below)

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24 Make sure the correct time zone, date, and time is set.

25 Most likely, BitLocker or Device Encryption has been automatically turned on for the Windows drive. You can turn this off if wanted, otherwise be sure to back up the BitLocker Recovery Key.


26 If you set up a Microsoft account during Windows Setup, it will get linked to OneDrive to backup and sync your files by default. You can stop the backup and sync of your files to OneDrive if wanted.


27 Check for and install any available Windows Updates.

28 Check for any app and game updates in the Microsoft Store app.

29 Install any needed drivers for your devices.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


 

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You could do either, but it's usually easier to let Windows Update get them, and then manually do any others as needed.
Hi Brink,

Sorry I have another question to ask, I did finish clean Install windows 11, just after it finished I checked This PC there is windows.old folder, it's empty, after a updating driver and windows then restarted the PC it's gone, is this normal? I did delete all partition just like in this tutorial.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
A few lessons learned after several hundred software setups to avoid a few common problems..
Before attempting to install Windows 11:

At the very least, make sure you have a copy of the drivers for your network hardware handy, just in case MS forgot to include them. (It STILL happens)

Disconnect all HDDS and SSDs except the one in which you intend to install windows, especially if you plan a dual boot setup with another OS. Windows 11 tends to be particularly rude to any other operating systems on the same drive as Windows. This helps avoid a lot of confusion, and ensures the windows install is entirely on one physical drive.

Always go into BIOS to clear the TPM and reset secure boot to factory settings immediately before booting to the installation media. On many machines it's impossible to install Windows without doing so. I've seen several threads about issues with Windows not seeing or being able to write to the target disk and breaking the install process, and more often than not, this is the cause.

Always remove the installation media as soon as the windows installer shuts down for the first restart.

If you like to experiment with Windows settings and/or different kinds of software and games (I think a lot of people probably end up here after doing exactly that) and your storage capacity is less than infinite, learn how to make the operating system as disposable as possible. This means separate physical drives for Windows and any files or programs you want to keep, and portable applications wherever possible. (Doing this, as well as keeping regular backups of the registry, the USER folder and the hidden ProgramData folder will significantly reduce the amount of time wasted and the chances of losing anything important if WIndows decides to break itself in the process of ignoring all your preferences..)

If you can, make a backup image as soon as possible after reaching the desktop for the first time. All of the above will save a lot of time if you want a fresh copy of windows to go along with a different set of software a few months from now.
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 22H2 Pro (X-lite Micro 11 version)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell/ Precision 7680
    CPU
    i7 13850HX (20 cores, 28 threads)
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    32GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD/ RTX 1000 ADA
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    4K UHD Touchscreen
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2400
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 512GB system drive
    WD Blue 1TB game drive
    PSU
    240W AC adapter, 1800W when docked
    Internet Speed
    1 gigabit symmetrical
    Browser
    Firefox, Librewolf
    Antivirus
    None. Manully configured so nobody except me can change any critical system files. (Don't ask how, it's probably against some rule somewhere)
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