On Windows 11 (version 22H2 or 21H2), a clean installation refers to erasing the hard drive and applying a fresh copy of the operating system without custom settings, drivers, apps, or files. Typically, this is the recommended approach to upgrade to the latest version of Windows 11 on compatible hardware to prevent installation issues and fix existing problems.
For instance, if the computer has had the same setup for a long time, a clean install of Windows 11 can help resolve performance issues, problems shutting down, booting up, memory, and apps. Also, this type of installation is the best method to upgrade from an older version (such as Windows 7 or Windows 8.1). In addition, you can use this option to delete annoying bloatware preloaded with the default setup.
Microsoft supports multiple ways to clean install Windows 11, including using a USB flash drive to set up the operating system on an SSD (Solid-State Drive). It’s also possible to use the “Reset this PC” feature to quickly wipe out the hard drive and reinstall the system without additional tools. Or, if the device does not start, you can use the Advanced startup options or mount the ISO file to File Explorer to commence a clean install.
In this guide, you will learn six different ways to perform a clean installation of Windows 11 22H2 or version 21H2 on your computer. However, before proceeding with these instructions, do these things before installing.
Important: This process will delete everything on your device. It’s recommended to make a
This process will delete everything on your device. It’s recommended to make a full backup of your computer before proceeding. You’ve been warned. Also, these instructions are meant to help you install Windows 11 when it’s officially available, not before.
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How to clean install Windows 11 from USB
Using a USB flash drive is the most straightforward method to clean install Windows 11. You can create a bootable media using the Media Creation Tool, Command Prompt, Rufus, or any other third-party tool. (See also this video tutorial with the installation process from USB at the Pureinfotech YouTube channel.)
If you choose this method, you also have to make sure the device can start from USB, which means you will have to change the BIOS or UEFI settings. The only caveat is that since most computers have different settings, you will have to check your manufacturer support website for more specific details.
To perform a clean install of Windows 11 from USB, use these steps:
Start the PC with the Windows 11 USB flash drive.
Press any key to continue.
Click the Next button.
Click the Install now button.
Click the I don’t have a product key option if you are doing a reinstallation. If Windows 11 was previously activated after the installation, reactivation would happen automatically.
Select the edition of “Windows 11” that your license key activates (if applicable).
Check the “I accept the license terms”option.
Click the Next button.
Select the “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)” option.
Select each partition in the hard drive you want to install Windows 11 21H2 and click the Delete button. (Typically, the “Drive 0” is the drive that contains all the installation files.)
Warning: When you delete a partition, it also deletes all data on the drive. Also, it is not required to delete the partitions from a secondary hard drive.
Select the hard drive (Drive 0 Unallocated Space) to install Windows 11.
Click the Next button.
Select your region setting after the installation on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).
Click the Yes button.
Select your keyboard layout setting.
Click the Yes button.
Click the Skip button if you do not need to configure a second layout.
The computer will automatically connect to the network if it uses an Ethernet connection. If you have a wireless connection, you must set up the connection manually (a security key may be required).
(Optional) Confirm a name for the computer.
Click the Next button. (The device will restart automatically.)
Select the “Set up for personal use” option if you are configuring Windows 11 Pro. The “Home” edition does not have this option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Sign in button.
Confirm your Microsoft account email, phone number, or Skype identification to create an account.
Click the Next button.
Confirm your Microsoft account password.
Click the Next button.
Click on “View more options.”
Choose the “Set up a new device” option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Create PIN button.
Create a new four-digit PIN.
Click the OK button.
Confirm the privacy settings best suit your situation by turning on or off the toggle switch for each setting.
Click the Next button.
Click the Next button again.
Click theAccept button.
(Optional) On the “Let’s customize your experience” page, select one or more ways you plan to use the device to allow the setup to suggest tools and service customizations during this experience.
Click the Accept button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.
Click the Skip button for the Android phone link process.
Click the “Next” button to automatically upload your Desktop, Pictures, and Documents folders to OneDrive. Or Select the “Only save files to this PC”option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Decline button to skip the Microsoft 365 setup.
Click the “Skip for now” button to skip the Game Pass subscription promotion.
Once you complete the steps, Windows 11 will continue the installation on the computer.
How to clean install Windows 11 from ISO file
Alternatively, you can mountthe ISO in File Explorer to launch a clean install or in-place upgrade on a device with the operating system already installed.
To clean install Windows 11 with an ISO file, use these steps:
Open Microsoft Support website.
Under the “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)” section, select the Windows 11 option.
Click the Download button.
Select the installation language.
Click the Confirm button.
Click the Download button to save the Windows 11 ISO file on the device.
Right-click the ISO file, and select the Mount option.
Select the virtual drive from the left navigation pane.
Double-click the Setup file to begin the Windows 11 21H2 installation.
(Optional) Click the “Change how Windows Setup downloads updates” option.
Select the “Not right now” option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Accept button to agree to the terms.
Click the “Change what to keep” option.
Select the Nothing option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Install button.
Select your region setting after the installation on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).
Click the Yes button.
Select your keyboard layout setting.
Click the Yes button.
Click the Skip button if you do not need to configure a second layout.
The computer will automatically connect to the network if it uses an Ethernet connection. If you have a wireless connection, you must set up the connection manually (a security key may be required).
(Optional) Confirm a name for the computer.
Click the Next button. (The device will restart automatically.)
Select the “Set up for personal use” option if you are configuring Windows 11 Pro. The “Home” edition does not have this option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Sign in button.
Confirm your Microsoft account email, phone number, or Skype identification to create an account.
Click the Next button.
Confirm your Microsoft account password.
Click the Next button.
Click on “View more options.”
Choose the “Set up a new device” option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Create PIN button.
Create a new four-digit PIN.
Click the OK button.
Confirm the privacy settings best suit your situation by turning on or off the toggle switch for each setting.
Click the Next button.
Click the Next button again.
Click theAccept button.
(Optional) On the “Let’s customize your experience” page, select one or more ways you plan to use the device to allow the setup to suggest tools and service customizations during this experience.
Click the Accept button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.
Click the Skip button for the Android phone link process.
Click the “Next” button to automatically upload your Desktop, Pictures, and Documents folders to OneDrive. Or Select the “Only save files to this PC”option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Decline button to skip the Microsoft 365 setup.
Click the “Skip for now” button to skip the Game Pass subscription promotion.
Once you complete the steps, the clean installation process will begin, similar to using the Media Creation Tools or USB flash drive to upgrade the system.
How to clean install Windows 11 using Reset this PC local image
The recovery settings offer another method to start fresh with a clean copy of Windows 11. Unlike the Media Creation Tool, bootable flash drive, and ISO file options, you can only use this method to reinstall Windows 11 on a computer already running the same OS.
If you plan to upgrade a computer running Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 7, you will have to use one of the previous alternative methods.
To clean install Windows 11 with the local recovery image, use these steps:
Open Settings on Windows 11.
Click on System.
Click on Recovery on the right side.
Under the “Recovery options” section, click the Reset PC button in the “Reset this PC” setting.
Click the Remove everything option to perform a fresh install of Windows 11.
Click the Local reinstall option.
(Optional) Click the Change settings option.
Configure the reinstallation options:
- Clean data: If this option is set to No (recommended), then the setup will only delete files, apps, and settings quickly. If the option is set to Yes, the setup will securely clean the drive before installing the operating system, but it will take longer.
- Delete files from all drives: If the option is set to No (recommended), only the installation drive will be erased. Otherwise, if this option is set to Yes, all the drives on the device will be deleted.
- Download Windows: If this option is set to No (recommended), the local image will be used for installation. If the option is set to Yes, then the “Cloud download” option will be activated.
Click the Confirm button.
Click the Next button.
Click the Reset button.
Select your region setting after the installation on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).
Click the Yes button.
Select your keyboard layout setting.
Click the Yes button.
Click the Skip button if you do not need to configure a second layout.
The computer will automatically connect to the network if it uses an Ethernet connection. If you have a wireless connection, you must set up the connection manually (a security key may be required).
(Optional) Confirm a name for the computer.
Click the Next button. (The device will restart automatically.)
Select the “Set up for personal use” option if you are configuring Windows 11 Pro. The “Home” edition does not have this option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Sign in button.
Confirm your Microsoft account email, phone number, or Skype identification to create an account.
Click the Next button.
Confirm your Microsoft account password.
Click the Next button.
Click on “View more options.”
Choose the “Set up a new device” option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Create PIN button.
Create a new four-digit PIN.
Click the OK button.
Confirm the privacy settings best suit your situation by turning on or off the toggle switch for each setting.
Click the Next button.
Click the Next button again.
Click theAccept button.
(Optional) On the “Let’s customize your experience” page, select one or more ways you plan to use the device to allow the setup to suggest tools and service customizations during this experience.
Click the Accept button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.
Click the Skip button for the Android phone link process.
Click the “Next” button to automatically upload your Desktop, Pictures, and Documents folders to OneDrive. Or Select the “Only save files to this PC”option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Decline button to skip the Microsoft 365 setup.
Click the “Skip for now” button to skip the Game Pass subscription promotion.
Once you complete the steps, the recovery feature will continue with the reinstallation using the locally available image of Windows 11. This process will restore the original settings if you have a computer from HP, Dell, Acer, or another brand. This means the manufacturer included factory settings, drivers, applications, and tools in the custom image.
If you don’t want to reinstall the custom manufacturer image, use the “Cloud Download” option (see steps below).
How to clean install Windows 11 using Reset this PC Cloud download
The Reset this PC feature also includes the “Cloud Download” option, which allows you to reset a computer with a clean installation, removing apps, files, and settings similar to the local image option. The only difference is that the feature will download the installation files from the Microsoft server.
The option is available to reinstall Windows 11 when the local image is not working, or you do not want to use the same installation settings provided by the manufacturer. If you select the “Cloud download” option, the feature will download the same version already installed on the computer, which means you cannot use this method to upgrade to a newer version. Also, if the device used a custom image from the manufacturer, the new installation won’t include the custom settings, drivers, or tools.
To reinstall Windows 11 with the “Cloud Download” option, use these steps:
Open Settings on Windows 11.
Click on System.
Click on Recovery on the right side.
Under the “Recovery options” section, click the Reset PC button in the “Reset this PC” setting.
Click the Remove everything option to perform a fresh install of Windows 11.
Click the Cloud reinstall option.
(Optional) Click the Change settings option.
Configure the reinstallation options:
- Clean data: If this option is set to No (recommended), then the setup will only delete files, apps, and settings quickly. If the option is set to Yes, the setup will securely clean the drive before installing the operating system, but it will take longer.
- Delete files from all drives: If the option is to No (recommended), only the installation drive will be erased. Otherwise, if this option is set to Yes, all the drives on the device will be deleted.
- Download Windows: If this option is set to Yes (recommended), the “Cloud download” option will be used for installation. If the option is set to No, the local image option will be used for the installation.
Click the Confirm button.
Click the Next button.
Click the Reset button.
Select your region setting after the installation on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).
Click the Yes button.
Select your keyboard layout setting.
Click the Yes button.
Click the Skip button if you do not need to configure a second layout.
The computer will automatically connect to the network if it uses an Ethernet connection. If you have a wireless connection, you must set up the connection manually (a security key may be required).
(Optional) Confirm a name for the computer.
Click the Next button. (The device will restart automatically.)
Select the “Set up for personal use” option if you are configuring Windows 11 Pro. The “Home” edition does not have this option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Sign in button.
Confirm your Microsoft account email, phone number, or Skype identification to create an account.
Click the Next button.
Confirm your Microsoft account password.
Click the Next button.
Click on “View more options.”
Choose the “Set up a new device” option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Create PIN button.
Create a new four-digit PIN.
Click the OK button.
Confirm the privacy settings best suit your situation by turning on or off the toggle switch for each setting.
Click the Next button.
Click the Next button again.
Click theAccept button.
(Optional) On the “Let’s customize your experience” page, select one or more ways you plan to use the device to allow the setup to suggest tools and service customizations during this experience.
Click the Accept button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.
Click the Skip button for the Android phone link process.
Click the “Next” button to automatically upload your Desktop, Pictures, and Documents folders to OneDrive. Or Select the “Only save files to this PC”option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Decline button to skip the Microsoft 365 setup.
Click the “Skip for now” button to skip the Game Pass subscription promotion.
After you complete the steps, the feature will reset the computer by erasing and reinstalling a fresh copy of Windows 11 downloaded from the cloud.
How to clean install Windows 11 from Advanced startup options
If the computer does not boot, the Advanced startup options environment includes the same options with the “Reset this PC” feature.
You can only use this option to reinstall the same version of the OS already installed on the computer. If you want to upgrade to the latest version, you need to use the USB flash drive, Media Creation Tool, or ISO file options.
To clean install Windows 11 from the Advanced startup options, use these steps:
Start device.
Immediately after the Power-On Self-Test (POST), press the Power button again to shut down.
Repeat steps 1 and 2 twice, and in the third restart, the operating system should enter the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE).
Quick note: Windows 11 has multiple ways to open the Advanced startup settings. You can use
Windows 11 has multiple ways to open the Advanced startup settings. You can use these other options if you cannot access the recovery environment.
Click the Advanced options button.
Click on Troubleshoot.
Click on Reset this PC option.
Select the Remove everything option.
Click the Cloud download or Local reinstall option. Cloud download: Downloads a fresh image from the Microsoft servers and performs a fresh installation. Local reinstall: Uses the locally available image to install a clean copy of Windows 11.
Select the “Only the drive where Windows is installed” option. (The All drives option will delete the data on all drives. This option is usually recommended only when you have to decommission the device.)
Select the “Just remove my files” or “Full clean the drive” option.
- Just remove my files: Deletes the drive contents quickly.
- Full clean the drive: It also deletes everything on the drive but performs a secure-erase that takes several hours—this option is suited when preparing to give away the device.
Click the Reset button.
Select your region setting after the installation on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).
Click the Yes button.
Select your keyboard layout setting.
Click the Yes button.
Click the Skip button if you do not need to configure a second layout.
The computer will automatically connect to the network if it uses an Ethernet connection. If you have a wireless connection, you must set up the connection manually (a security key may be required).
(Optional) Confirm a name for the computer.
Click the Next button. (The device will restart automatically.)
Select the “Set up for personal use” option if you are configuring Windows 11 Pro. The “Home” edition does not have this option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Sign in button.
Confirm your Microsoft account email, phone number, or Skype identification to create an account.
Click the Next button.
Confirm your Microsoft account password.
Click the Next button.
Click on “View more options.”
Choose the “Set up a new device” option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Create PIN button.
Create a new four-digit PIN.
Click the OK button.
Confirm the privacy settings best suit your situation by turning on or off the toggle switch for each setting.
Click the Next button.
Click the Next button again.
Click theAccept button.
(Optional) On the “Let’s customize your experience” page, select one or more ways you plan to use the device to allow the setup to suggest tools and service customizations during this experience.
Click the Accept button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.
Click the Skip button for the Android phone link process.
Click the “Next” button to automatically upload your Desktop, Pictures, and Documents folders to OneDrive. Or Select the “Only save files to this PC”option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Decline button to skip the Microsoft 365 setup.
Click the “Skip for now” button to skip the Game Pass subscription promotion.
Once you complete the steps, Windows 11 will reinstall, resolving the existing problems. The completion time will depend on your computer hardware configuration and the selected reset configuration.
How to clean install Windows 11 using Media Creation Tool
Starting with Windows 11, the Media Creation Tool no longer includes an option to perform a clean installation or in-place upgrade. You can only use the tool to create a bootable media to perform an installation using a USB flash drive or ISO file.
If you want to proceed with the Media Creation Tool, you can use it to create an installation media, and then you can launch the setup from the USB flash drive.
To use the Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB install media and proceed with the setup, use these steps:
Open Microsoft support website.
Under the “Create Windows 11 installation media” section, click the Download Now button.
Double-click the MediaCrationToolW11.exefile to launch the tool.
Click the Accept button.
Click the Next button.
Quick note: If you create a Windows 11 USB for another device, you can also clear the “Use the recommended options for this PC” option to select the correct language, architecture, and edition.
Select theUSB flash driveoption.
Click the Next button.
Select the USB flash drive from the list, but make sure it does not have any important files, as this process will erase everything on it.
Click the Next button.
Click the Finish button.
Open the installation media with File Explorer.
Double-click the Setup file to begin the Windows 11 installation.
(Optional) Click the “Change how Windows Setup downloads updates” option.
Select the “Not right now” option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Accept button to agree to the terms.
Click the “Change what to keep” option.
Select the Nothing option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Install button.
Select your region setting after the installation on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).
Click the Yes button.
Select your keyboard layout setting.
Click the Yes button.
Click the Skip button if you do not need to configure a second layout.
The computer will automatically connect to the network if it uses an Ethernet connection. If you have a wireless connection, you must set up the connection manually (a security key may be required).
(Optional) Confirm a name for the computer.
Click the Next button. (The device will restart automatically.)
Select the “Set up for personal use” option if you are configuring Windows 11 Pro. The “Home” edition does not have this option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Sign in button.
Confirm your Microsoft account email, phone number, or Skype identification to create an account.
Click the Next button.
Confirm your Microsoft account password.
Click the Next button.
Click on “View more options.”
Choose the “Set up a new device” option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Create PIN button.
Create a new four-digit PIN.
Click the OK button.
Confirm the privacy settings best suit your situation by turning on or off the toggle switch for each setting.
Click the Next button.
Click the Next button again.
Click theAccept button.
(Optional) On the “Let’s customize your experience” page, select one or more ways you plan to use the device to allow the setup to suggest tools and service customizations during this experience.
Click the Accept button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.
Click the Skip button for the Android phone link process.
Click the “Next” button to automatically upload your Desktop, Pictures, and Documents folders to OneDrive. Or Select the “Only save files to this PC”option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Decline button to skip the Microsoft 365 setup.
Click the “Skip for now” button to skip the Game Pass subscription promotion.
After you complete the steps, the setup will continue with the fresh installation of Windows 11.
FAQs
Should I do a clean install of Windows 11? ›
Specifically, perform a Windows 11 upgrade if you wish to keep your files, apps, and settings. And if you want a clean Windows, Windows 11 clean installation is a better choice. Whether you upgrade to Windows 11 or clean install Windows 11, always remember to back up your data to prevent data loss.
How do I clean my Windows 11? ›- In the search box on the taskbar, type disk cleanup, and select Disk Cleanup from the list of results.
- Select the drive you want to clean up, and then select OK.
- Under Files to delete, select the file types to get rid of. To get a description of the file type, select it.
- Select OK.
- Open MediaCreationTool.bat GitHub page.
- Click the Code button from the top-right corner and the Download Zip option.
- Select the MediaCreationToo.bat-main folder and click the Extract all button.
- Click the Browse button.
This type of clean install deletes and recreates system partitions. It will delete all personal files on your device and the partition on your hard drive currently being used for your recovery drive.
How do I enable TPM 2.0 on my computer? ›- Press [Windows Key] + R or select Start > Run.
- Type “tpm.msc” (do not use quotation marks) and choose OK. If you see a message saying a “Compatible TPM cannot be found,” your PC may have a TPM that is disabled.
How Does It Take to Install Windows 11. General: Between 10 and 20 minutes. On different devices, Windows 11 is installed at different times. For example, it only takes about 10 minutes to update on the latest SSD.
Is it worth doing a clean install of Windows? ›A clean install of Windows 10 helps declutter the computer, frees up space, and eliminates performance and speed issues. It also helps remove viruses, Trojans, malware and bloatware from the system, and eliminates system problems like blue screen errors.
Can you do a clean install of Windows 11 without USB? ›You don't need a bootable USB flash drive or Media Creation Tool to install Windows 11 on a computer already running Windows 10. You can simply mount the ISO file to File Explorer and run the upgrade setup.
Does Windows 11 have a PC cleaner? ›Microsoft developed the PC Manager application for Windows 11, Windows 10 (1809), and the above operating system. To avoid third-party applications, Microsoft creates its PC cleaner application.
What is the difference between Windows 11 Reset and clean install? ›The Remove everything option of PC resetting is like a regular clean install and your hard drive is erased and a fresh copy of Windows is installed. But by contrast, a system reset is faster and more convenient. Clean install must require an installation disc or USB drive.
How to install Windows 11 step by step? ›
- Verify Windows 11 system compatibility. Windows 11 minimum system requirements.
- Prepare your PC. Format boot drive as GPT. Turn on TPM, enable UEFI, and enable Secure Boot. ...
- Back up Windows 10. Restoring files.
- How to download and install Windows 11. Windows update.
One such issue is the requirement of 'Secure Boot' along with 'TPM 2.0' enabled computers. However, if you are using a UEFI BIOS Mode machine, you can pretty straightforwardly bypass TPM on Windows 11. You simply have to go to BIOS settings and enable the 'Secure Boot' and 'TPM 2.0' options.
How do I enable TPM 2.0 in BIOS? ›...
Verify the following:
- "Current TPM Type" is set to TPM 2.0.
- "Current TPM State" is set to Present and Enabled.
- "TPM Visibility" is set to Visible.
Click the “UEFI Firmware settings” option. Click the Restart button. Click the advanced, security, or boot settings page, depending on the motherboard. Select the TPM 2.0 option and choose the Enabled option.
Does clean install remove all viruses? ›A clean install is not the most fun thing to do, however, it is the one guaranteed way to get rid of viruses, spyware, and malware. It's pretty straight-forward: when you do a clean install, you delete everything on your hard drive. Therefore, no more viruses.
What are the disadvantages of a clean install? ›| Clean Install | |
|---|---|
| Pros | Cons |
| Clears spyware and registry file. | Setting up the new operating system will take longer. |
| Faster startup due to lack of startup programs and applications. | Need to manually backup documents, applications, and settings in old OS. |
Factory Reset a Computer
For most purposes, you can assume that you have deleted everything on the computer, and that's okay for most people. However, that information still lives on your hard drive and will stay there until it has either been overwritten by new information or completely destroyed.
So, if you're a Windows 10 user and want to utilize the BitLocker data encryption feature, you must enable the TPM. For Windows 11, you won't even be able to install it unless the TPM is enabled.
Can I add a TPM 2.0 chip to my PC? ›Can I Add a TPM to My PC? If you built your own desktop PC in the last few years and you're comfortable tinkering with hardware and software security settings in the system's BIOS, you can probably add a discrete TPM 2.0 chip to your motherboard.
What is firmware TPM vs discrete TPM? ›Discrete tpm only means that the tpm is deactivated. Firmware tpm will just active the chip on your motherboard.
Is Windows 11 update worth it? ›
Windows 11 is worth the update for most people. It comes with a wide range of new features, performance improvements, and design changes.
How many hours does it take to install Windows 11? ›In my experience it takes about 60-90 minutes depending on the number of files, speed of the hard drive, amount of memory and CPU performance of the computer.
How long do I have to upgrade to Windows 11 for free? ›Here's the answer, per the FAQ: The free upgrade offer does not have a specific end date for eligible systems. However, Microsoft reserves the right to eventually end support for the free offer. This end date will be no sooner than October 5, 2022.
Will a clean install make my computer faster? ›Yes, it will affect the performance, it will run faster and improve the performance, it will repair and replace any corrupted system files.
Does a clean install of Windows remove drivers? ›A clean install erases the hard disk, which means, yes, you would need to reinstall all your hardware drivers.
Does a clean install of Windows remove bloatware? ›Bloatware can be difficult to get rid of and many people turn to reinstalling the operating system on the system so they can get rid of everything that was pre-installed when they purchased it. Unfortunately, it will automatically reinstall all of this information with the factory reset.
Can I install Windows without a USB or CD? ›Another way to install Windows on a new SSD without a USB is to use a Windows ISO file. By using ISO, you do not need a bootable USB drive or Media Creation Tool to install Windows 11 on a computer running Windows 10. You can mount the ISO file in File Explorer and run the upgrade setup.
What happens if I don't install Windows 11? ›First, you will miss out on the latest system features, security updates, patches, and compatibility for upcoming security features and programs. This lack of updates will mean your system will become more vulnerable to attacks.
How to clean install without USB? ›In Windows 10, there is a built-in tool that can wipe your PC and restore it to a factory-fresh state. Navigate to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery. Then, select Get started under Reset this PC. You can keep your personal files or remove everything based on your actual needs.
What bloatware should I remove from Windows 11? ›...
Common Bloatware Apps:
- OneNote.
- Xbox Game Bar.
- Windows Terminal.
- Get Help.
- Microsoft People.
- Mail.
- Movie & TV.
How do you check if my computer has a virus Windows 11? ›
- Search for Windows Security and click the top result to open the app.
- Click on Virus & threat protection.
- Under the “Current threats” section, click on Scan options.\
- Select the Full scan option to check the entire system for viruses and any other type of malware.
- Click the Scan now button.
Yes, PC cleaning software is safe to use. But since a PC cleaner will need access to your whole system, make sure to get yours from a reputable company you trust. Check both professional and user reviews before making your decision.
Why is clean install better than upgrade? ›After performing a clean install, you will need to invest some time to personalize your PC and get all the benefits of the new Windows. But in the end, you will have decluttered PC with much better performances than you would have with In-Place upgrade.
Does factory reset remove virus? ›When malware infects your Mac, iPhone, or Android device, you might consider a factory reset to wipe the virus from existence. While the method can be effective, you'll also lose all of your important information. Even if you back up your data, you'll need to ensure that the backup is free from infection.
Is clean install better than reset? ›A Windows reset will reinstall Windows and keep your personal files, settings, and installed apps while a clean install will erase everything on the hard drive and install a fresh copy of Windows. A clean install will provide a completely new system, free of any previous configurations or personal files.
How do I do a repair install of Windows 11? ›- The Windows 10 (or 11) repair drill.
- Step 1: Using DISM and SFC for system repair.
- Step 2: Try a recent restore point or image backup.
- Step 3: In-place upgrade to current Windows 10 version.
- Step 4: Completely reinstall Windows 10.
- Picking up the pieces after the repair.
- Check for compatibility. Windows 11 won't work for every PC. ...
- Check your device for available memory. ...
- Download the ISO file to your device (another device) ...
- Remove the USB. ...
- Run Windows 11 from a USB. ...
- Set up Windows 11.
- Check for updates. ...
- Clean up your taskbar and Start menu. ...
- Uninstall pre-installed software. ...
- Disable unnecessary startup apps. ...
- Change the look of Windows 11. ...
- Enable clipboard history. ...
- Manage your notifications.
You can install Windows 11 without Secure Boot. However running Windows 11 without Secure Boot may result in instability on the system and you may not receive updates from Microsoft.
How do I bypass TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot requirements? ›- Open Regedit. ...
- Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup. ...
- Create a DWORD (32-bit) Value called AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU if it doesn't already exist.
- Set AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU to 1. ...
- Close regedit and restart your PC.
What does disabling TPM do in Windows 11? ›
It is known that when TPM is disabled, you lose some features, such as Windows Subsystem for Android or the ability to install updates.
How do you unlock TPM in BIOS? ›From the System Utilities screen, select System Configuration > BIOS/Platform Configuration (RBSU) > Server Security. Select Trusted Platform Module Options and press the Enter key. Select Enabled to enable the TPM and BIOS secure startup. The TPM is fully functional in this mode.
How do I enable TPM firmware? ›- Restart your PC.
- Hold down the F2 key (FN F2 if no dedicated function keys) during boot up to get to the BIOS menu.
- Use the arrow keys to navigate to the Security tab.
- Find a listing for either TPM, Intel Platform Trust Technology (IPTT), or AMD CPU fTPM.
- Toggle to “Enabled”
TPM (Trusted Platform Module) is a computer chip (microcontroller) that can securely store artifacts used to authenticate the platform (your PC or laptop). These artifacts can include passwords, certificates, or encryption keys.
Should I enable TPM for Windows 11? ›TPM 2.0 is required to run Windows 11, as an important building block for security-related features. TPM 2.0 is used in Windows 11 for a number of features, including Windows Hello for identity protection and BitLocker for data protection.
How do I know if TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot is enabled? ›- Go to Start.
- In the search bar, type msinfo32 and press enter.
- System Information opens. Select System Summary.
- On the right-side of the screen, look at BIOS Mode and Secure Boot State. If Bios Mode shows UEFI, and Secure Boot State shows Off, then Secure Boot is disabled.
The Remove everything option of PC resetting is like a regular clean install and your hard drive is erased and a fresh copy of Windows is installed. But by contrast, a system reset is faster and more convenient. Clean install must require an installation disc or USB drive.
How do you perform a clean install of Windows? ›- Open Settings.
- Click on Update & Security.
- Click on Recovery.
- Under the “Reset this PC” section, click the Get started button.
- Click the “Remove everything” option to perform a fresh install of Windows 10.
- Click the “Local reinstall” option.
- Download Windows 11 22H2 ISO file. ...
- Right-click the ISO file, select the Open with submenu, and choose the Windows Explorer option.
- Click on the mounted drive from the left navigation pane.
- Double-click the Setup file to begin the Windows 11 22H2 upgrade process.
Navigate to Settings from the start menu. Click on Updates & Security and navigate to Recovery from the left menu. Under More recovery options, click on Learn how to start fresh with a clean installation of Windows. A Microsoft webpage will open containing a link to the refresh Click on Download tool now.
How to reinstall Windows from BIOS? ›
- Power on or restart the workstation.
- Enter the BIOS by tapping either the right or left bottom of the screen.
- Tap Advanced, and then tap Special Configuration.
- Tap Factory Recovery.
- Select Enabled from drop-down menu.
- Tap Home.
- Tap Save and Exit.