Local Windows11 Clean install

jro11 · Jan 13, 2024

Using the thread Preparing to image my computer, need help as the backdrop, I'm journaling my attempt to Wipe Clean, Reinstall (without involving my Microsoft Account--for now) Windows 11, Image my computer (with Macrium help), then restore old files to and again image my computer, [and then do the whole thing again in the Win10 environment!].

I'm expecting to encounter significant problems and only hope this won't result in losing a computer completely.

Following, STEP 1

ThrashZone · Jan 13, 2024

Hi,
Personal files wise
You'd be best with normal copy and paste to a external drive not system imaging

System image the entire system before all this yes
And yes you can mount a system image and recover all your personal files no doubt but some permissions might get weird
But you can always take ownership so not a large issue.

Clean installing is pretty straight forward @Brink has tutorials
If your system is newer and compliant with win-11 system requirements you don't need to do much except install without internet.
Or you just jump through the ms hoops and use rufus to do all this stuff for you to the iso and ready a usb installer as well.

jro11 · Jan 13, 2024

Ghot said:
This is what I would do, now that you've joined the backer-upper clan.

1. Disconnect all internet and all "other drives".
2. Clean install Windows with "Local" account. (See Clean Install tutorial). (You can switch to MS account later if desired).
3. During install... skip, say NO, or uncheck, everything.
4. Install motherboard and vid card drivers, and things like printer, camera, keyboard/mouse drivers if you require them.
5. Make a full OS backup.
6. Reconnect the internet and do the Windows Updates (if any)
7. Make a full OS backup.
8. Do all your program installs, tweaks, personalizations, etc.,
9. Use REVO uninstaller to remove all the un-needed MS junk. (See pic below).
10. Then make your final, full OS backup. The previous two backups were just temporary ones.

If this is a laptop or other prebuilt computer, export your drivers, first. Some companies use proprietary drivers.
See the tutorial for how to accomplish this.

I'm not quite a member of the backer-upper clan. I've used BackupMaker and want to start to use FreeFileSync (?) or another member-recommended program (my win11 AllApps doesn't seem to access/report all my installed apps (when running normally, my machine tended to be app-heavy).

I will be following the tutorial

jro11 · Jan 13, 2024

TUTORIAL: STEP 1

1 If you have not already, you will need to create a bootable Windows 11 installation USB that supports UEFI mode.

2 Temporarily disconnect 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 be set to UEFI mode by default if supported. 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 Select your language, time and currency format, and keyboard or input method preferences, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

If you select a (World) (ex: "English (World)") Time and currency format, then this will install Windows 11 without third-party apps included to help remove bloatware.

garlin · Jan 13, 2024

jro11 said:
If you select a (World) (ex: "English (World)") Time and currency format, then this will install Windows 11 without third-party apps included to help remove bloatware.

No it doesn't. It's a myth, no bloatware is uninstalled. All it does it break your Start Menu, by forgetting to pin the normal apps and 3rd-party suggestions (which aren't installed anyway, they're click-to-install icons).

There are a lot of misinformed users, and tech bloggers running with this story.

jro11 · Jan 13, 2024

ThrashZone said:
Hi,
Personal files wise
You'd be best with normal copy and paste to a external drive not system imaging

System image the entire system before all this yes
And yes you can mount a system image and recover all your personal files no doubt but some permissions might get weird
But you can always take ownership so not a large issue.

Clean installing is pretty straight forward @Brink has tutorials
If your system is newer and compliant with win-11 system requirements you don't need to do much except install without internet.
Or you just jump through the ms hoops and use rufus to do all this stuff for you to the iso and ready a usb installer as well.

I've already tried to do the normal copy thing, but of course a system image sort of thing would be nice if I could selectively retrieve files from it without mounting any of it on the drive. Truth be told, I'm trying to get this computer up to snuff before taking Macrium up on its offer to help me with the program.

System image the entire system before all this yes What does this mean? I was under the impression an image is always a picture of the entirety (esp if partitions are not involved) of what's on the drive.

If your system is newer and compliant with win-11 system requirements you don't need to do much except install without internet.
I thought I had to go through with "Usually it will be set to UEFI mode by default if supported. You may need to read your PC's or motherboard's manual for its specific instructions on how to change this setting."

STEP 1 continued:

Brink said:
5
Select your language, time and currency format, and keyboard or input method preferences, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

If you select a (World) (ex: "English (World)") Time and currency format, then this will install Windows 11 without third-party apps included to help remove bloatware.

6
Click/tap on the Install Now button to start Windows Setup for the installation. (see screenshot below)

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.

the computer is a Costco one with Win11 pre-installed. I've (CLI) found and recorded my computer Product Key.

jro11 · Jan 13, 2024

garlin said:
There are a lot of misinformed users, and tech bloggers running with this story.

Thank you Garlin. (Somehow I expected this.)

jro11 · Jan 13, 2024

3 Boot to the UEFI firmware settings for your motherboard, and enable UEFI or disable Legacy BIOS (CSM) mode.

Usually it will be set to UEFI mode by default if supported. 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.

jro11 · Jan 13, 2024

jro11 said:
3 Boot to the UEFI firmware settings for your motherboard, and enable UEFI or disable Legacy BIOS (CSM) mode.

I'm unclear about what I need to prepare before doing Step 3 (or any step occurring before another step!) In other words, what ingredients do I need to prepare before continuing?

Seems I need to first prepare the Windows 11 installation USB flash drive before even attempting to Boot to the UEFI firmware settings...Right??

jro11 said:
4 Boot from the Windows 11 installation USB flash drive on your computer.

Creating a Win11 flash drive describes 3 Options to create a Windows 11 installation USB flash drive on your thumb drive. All three options are explained, from what I can tell, disregarding the fact I'm going for a clean install NOT INVOLVING my Microsoft account. In other words they all assume I am doing a standard Microsoft Win11 install. WHICH OF THE THREE OPTIONS DOES NOT REQUIRE i BE CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET WHEN i CREATE THE wINDOWS11 INSTALLATION FLASH DRIVE.

(If I can't get past step one it's going to be a while before I accomplish anything...)