Solved Standard or Administrator Account @ Clean Install

Bree · Apr 21, 2026

BruceR said:
What does the first screenshot look like after the change?

MisterEd · Apr 21, 2026

I have Windows 11 Pro on three computers. None of them have Bit-locker enabled.

The last version I installed was Windows 11 Pro 25H2. I installed it with a local account and the network was disconnected. After the first boot I noticed that Bit-Locker was enabled but the setup was waiting for an Internet connection to finish. I then disabled Bit-Locker. Windows then un-encrypted the C: drive. When that was done I connected the network to start the Windows updates.

Note: if you do a clean install of Windows then the first user is always type admin. Other users can be either Admin or Standard.

Creating a local account during Windows setup:
When the setup asks you to select the region
Press: SHIFT+F10
Enter: start ms-cxh:localonly

VinceB · Apr 22, 2026

Megahertz said:
On a Clean install the user account will always be an Administrator. As an administrator you can create a new user account (Standard or Administrator). The computer MUST always have at least one user as Administrator.

As you have a OEM computer the Win 11 key type is engraved on BIOS so it won't ask witch version you want to install and will install Home.

That is very good for me to know. TNX.

Megahertz said:
You can then upgrade to pro by inserting a general Pro key (VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T) to upgrade as you already have a Digital License for Pro.

I am guessing that since I had upgraded to win11 Pro, that general Pro key will work rather than needing to again use the OEM-provided Pro key ??

Megahertz said:
You can add an ei.cfg file on /sources folder of the installation drive that tell you want to install pro. Skip to enter a key during installation as you already have a Digital License for Pro.
Create a “ei.cfg” file containing the following text:

[EditionID]
Professional
[Channel]
Retail

Save the ei.cfg file to the \Sources folder on your Windows 11 installation media (USB flash drive).

At this point, I am undecided if I actually want to go as far as WIN11 Pro (i.e., I fear BitLocker and encryption would be forced upon my desktop PC).

I have the Clean Install tutorial loaded on my win10 Chrome browser for reference.
Need to reconnect my Internet-router to the XPS8960 box yet.

VinceB · Apr 22, 2026

MisterEd said:
I have Windows 11 Pro on three computers. None of them have Bit-locker enabled.

The last version I installed was Windows 11 Pro 25H2. I installed it with a local account and the network was disconnected. After the first boot I noticed that Bit-Locker was enabled but the setup was waiting for an Internet connection to finish. I then disabled Bit-Locker. Windows then un-encrypted the C: drive. When that was done I connected the network to start the Windows updates.

Note: if you do a clean install of Windows then the first user is always type admin. Other users can be either Admin or Standard.

Creating a local account during Windows setup:
When the setup asks you to select the region
Press: SHIFT+F10
Enter: start ms-cxh:localonly

I know that when I configured the Rufus installation media, it defaulted with the first two checkboxes enable; I then added checkmarks to each of the remaining checkboxes and specified an Username at that time. So, I might not need to use the SHIFt-F10, etc.

I think I should re-visit Rufus and refresh my brain-memory before proceeding with the Clean Install of Windows11 Home.

VinceB · Apr 22, 2026

Well, that did not get very far !
This is what I did and what I saw:

With the Rufus USB Install media plugged in, Pressed win11's Power switch. When desktop image appeared, I held the SHIFT key depressed while selecting Restart from the Power menu..
Saw "Choose an option screen and selected "Use a device"
I was presented a Use a device screen that included two options:
(1) Onboard NIC (IPV4 PXE)
(2) Onboard NIC (IPV6 PXE)
I think that those above are partition names ?

I was expecting to be able to select the Rufus ISO media. The Rufus USB media is not recognised ?

Megahertz · Apr 22, 2026

VinceB said:
Well, that did not get very far !
This is what I did and what I saw:

With the Rufus USB Install media plugged in, Pressed win11's Power switch. When desktop image appeared, I held the SHIFT key depressed while selecting Restart from the Power menu..
Saw "Choose an option screen and seected "Use a device"
I was presented a Use a device screen that included two options:
(1) Onboard NIC (IPV4 PXE)
(2) Onboard NIC (IPV6 PXE)
I think that those above are partition names ?

I was expecting to be able to select the Rufus ISO media. The Rufus USB media is not recognised ?

NIC is to boot from a network. That isn't what you want.
Win 11 will install device encrypted also on Home. Pro allow you to install Bitlocker (different things). Very easy to tour it off.
Use Rufus option to avoid installation

With the computer off, plug in the Rufus Win 11 installation drive and start the computer. During POST (first screen, keep pressing F12 to launch the boot menu. Select UEFI USB to begin installation. Delete ALL partitions on the drive and then proceed.

Attached is the ei.cfg to install Pro directly. Download and rename it from Ei.cfg.txt to Ei.cfg and copy it to /sources on the Rufus installation drive

VinceB · Apr 22, 2026

Well. I used F12 this last time, and finally got to a Windows11 Setup screen, Do NOT tap F12; Depress & Hold depress F12 to get to Boot - UEFI Options. Window says "Boot mode is set to: UEFI; Secure boot: ON.

Highligh USB1 - UEFI OS( USB) withdown arrow to select thedesired boot device.; Enter.

Select (dot) Install Windows 11.

select language settings; Next
Select setup option screen
Insall Windows 11 & Agreed to delete EVERYTHING

Next.
Accept notices and license terms

Now at Select location to install Windows11 screen.
Disk 0 Partition 1 :is highlighted. On that same line it shows CCCOMA_X64FRE_EN-US_DV9, which is the name of install media ISO file.
Also, an info line reads as: Windows 11 can"t be installed on disk0 partion1 (show details)
The details popup window reads: Setup does not support configuration of or installation to disks connected through a USB or IEEE 1394 port.

YIKES !

That is NOT the correct loacation for installation of Windows 11. . What am I doing wrong ?

altae · Apr 22, 2026

You need to select the correct drive where you want to install Windows. It should be your SSD, not your USB drive. All the disks that are connected to your computer should be listed and you should be able to select the right one.

VinceB · Apr 23, 2026

I don't know why the internal SSD is not listed. Does this mean that the SSD is toast?

VinceB · Apr 23, 2026

I found that I actually have another eternet cable; it was connected between router and printer. I have now connected that cable to the win11 box, so, I am able to continue an internet connection with the win10 box.

Also, I recall, at one time, being able to move files between the two machines while both were cabled to the router. I will now try to repeat that, and perhaps copy files off the SSD to the win10 HDD/a USB drive.

altae · Apr 23, 2026

Are you sure the SSD is not in the list? You could disconnect/ remove all drives except the SSD onto which you want to install Windows. This way you avoid accidentally selecting the wrong drive. You could also provide a screenshot/ photo of the list of drives in the Windows installer, this way we can take a look.

pseymour · Apr 23, 2026

VinceB said:
I don't know why the internal SSD is not listed. Does this mean that the SSD is toast?

Probably not, if the machine is a year old. It's likely, since it's a Dell, that the UEFI settings are such that the disk is in RAID mode, and you need to provide drivers to Windows setup. The simplest thing to do is to enter the UEFI settings, and change the disk mode to AHCI.

Megahertz · Apr 25, 2026

pseymour said:
It's likely, since it's a Dell, that the UEFI settings are such that the disk is in RAID mode, and you need to provide drivers to Windows setup. The simplest thing to do is to enter the UEFI settings, and change the disk mode to AHCI.

If it is set as RAID you need to load the Intel RST drivers during installation. If it is set as AHCI it doesn't require RST drivers.

VinceB · Apr 25, 2026

Ok-Kay: Here is an Update Info --
I have stumbled across a DELL diagnostic routine that has led me to an option to do a DELL Factory Reset sequence. I took that option, and I now have my DELL XPS-8960 Box running Windows 11 Pro.
So, the Standard or Administrator Account @ Clean Install is solved.

If I knew how to mark this forum problem as solved, I would do so.

Try3 · Apr 25, 2026

VinceB said:
Standard or Administrator Account @ Clean Install is solved

And the answer was always that you would not have had a choice - clean install always creates an Admin account for you.

Oh, and
How do I mark a post as solved? - ElevenForum

Denis

VinceB · Apr 25, 2026

Ghot said:
When I got to the desktop for the first time, I noticed Bitlocker was... ON.

My Win11 box is now running Win11 Pro. How can I determine if BitLocker is on?

Try3 · Apr 25, 2026

VinceB said:
How can I determine if BitLocker is on?

By looking at the list of forum tutorials [that I gave you a link to earlier on] and looking through the Bitlocker tutorials to select the one that answers that particular question.
Perhaps the answer is in
Check BitLocker Drive Encryption Drive Status - ElevenForumTutorials
I know nothing about BitLocker.

All the best,
Denis

Ghot · Apr 25, 2026

Settings > Privacy & Security > Device Encryption ...is where the Bitlocker toggle is located.

Solved Standard or Administrator Account @ Clean Install

Well-known member

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computers

Active member

My Computers

Active member

My Computers

Active member

My Computers

Wish to be flying

Attachments

My Computers

Active member

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computer

Active member

My Computers

Active member

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computer

putting the mental back in experimental

My Computer

Wish to be flying

My Computers

Active member

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computer

Active member

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

Similar threads