Installing Windows 11 from a USB drive gives you the cleanest, fastest result — no upgrade leftovers, no slow performance.
What You'll Need
- A USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of free space (it will be wiped).
- A working PC to create the installer.
- A genuine Windows 11 license — get one from our Windows collection.
- At least 64 GB of free space on the target PC.
Step 1 — Download the Windows 11 ISO
Go to microsoft.com/software-download/windows11 and download the official Windows 11 ISO file. It's about 5 GB.
Step 2 — Create the Bootable USB
Option A: Microsoft's Media Creation Tool
From the same Microsoft page, download the Media Creation Tool, run it, accept the license, and choose Create installation media (USB flash drive).
Option B: Rufus (recommended for advanced users)
Download Rufus. Run it, select your USB drive, point it to the downloaded ISO, and click Start.
Step 3 — Boot from the USB
Plug the USB into the target PC and turn it on. Press the boot menu key (usually F12, F11, F9, or ESC) and select the USB drive.
Step 4 — Run Setup
- Choose your language, time, and keyboard layout.
- Click Install now.
- Enter your product key (or click "I don't have a product key" to enter it later).
- Choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).
- Select the drive, delete partitions if needed, then click Next.
The installation takes 10–20 minutes.
Step 5 — Initial Setup
- Pick region and keyboard.
- Connect to Wi-Fi.
- Sign in with your Microsoft account (or skip for a local account).
- Configure privacy settings.
Step 6 — Activate Windows
- Open Settings → System → Activation.
- Click Change product key.
- Enter your 25-character key.
- Click Activate.
After Installation
- Install all pending updates from Settings → Windows Update.
- Install drivers from your PC manufacturer.
- Install productivity software — see the Office collection.
- Install a quality antivirus — see Antivirus.
Need Help?
If you run into trouble, our team can help — consider our Remote Assistance service or email support@micromans.com.