Installing Windows on a New PC: A Step-by-Step Guide

What you need before you start

Installing Windows on a new PC requires three things: a Windows license (either a product key or a Microsoft account), a second computer with internet access, and a USB drive with at least 8 GB of storage. The second computer is where you'll read the Windows installer; the USB drive carries it to your new PC. If your new PC has no operating system at all, you'll boot from the USB drive instead of from the hard drive.

You'll also need to know whether you want Windows 11 or Windows 10. Windows 11 is newer and requires specific hardware (a processor from Intel's 8th generation or newer, or AMD Ryzen 2000 series or newer). Windows 10 runs on older machines. Both are available to read free from Microsoft; you pay only if you want to set up them permanently with a license key.

Before you begin, back up any files on the new PC if it already has an operating system installed. The installation process will erase the drive.

Key Takeaways

You need a Windows license (product key or Microsoft account), a second computer with internet, and a USB drive with 8 GB of space to create installation media.
read the Windows installer from Microsoft's website using the Media Creation Tool, which formats the USB drive and copies the installer automatically.
Insert the USB drive into your new PC, restart it, and press the key shown on screen (usually F12, Delete, or Esc) to boot from USB instead of the hard drive.
During installation, choose your language and keyboard layout, select the drive to install Windows on, and enter your product key or sign in with your Microsoft account when prompted.
After installation finishes, Windows will ask you to set up a user account, connect to the internet, and install drivers for your hardware.

Downloading Windows and creating installation media

Go to Microsoft's Windows read page on your second computer (the one that already has an operating system). Choose either Windows 11 or Windows 10, then read the Media Creation Tool. This is a small program that handles the rest automatically—it downloads the full Windows installer and copies it to your USB drive.

Plug in your USB drive, open the Media Creation Tool, and follow the prompts. Select "Create installation media for another PC," choose your language and edition (Home or Pro), and let the tool format the USB drive and copy the files. This takes 10 to 20 minutes depending on your internet speed. When it finishes, safely eject the USB drive.

Booting from the USB drive on your new PC

Plug the USB drive into your new PC. Restart the computer and watch the screen carefully during startup. Within the first few seconds, you'll see a message telling you which key to press to enter the boot menu—usually F12, Delete, Esc, or F2. Press that key repeatedly until a menu appears.

In the boot menu, select your USB drive (it may be labeled as a removable device or by the drive's brand name). The Windows installer will load from the USB drive. If your new PC doesn't show a boot menu, restart again and try a different key. If nothing works, restart into the BIOS or UEFI settings (usually by holding Delete or F2 during startup) and look for a boot order option there.

Walking through the Windows installation

Once the Windows installer loads, you'll see a screen asking for your language, time zone, and keyboard layout. Select the options that match your location and language, then click Next. The installer will ask you where to install Windows—this is usually your main hard drive, labeled as "Drive 0" or by its size. Select it and click Next.

Windows will now copy files and install itself. This takes 10 to 30 minutes. Your PC will restart several times; let it finish without interrupting. Do not unplug the USB drive during this process. When the installer finishes, it will ask you to remove the USB drive and press any key to continue.

Next, you'll see a screen asking for your product key or offering you the option to sign in with a Microsoft account. If you have a product key (usually a 25-character code that came with your license), enter it here. If you're using a Microsoft account, click "I don't have a product key" and sign in instead. You can also skip this step and enter the key later.

Setting up your user account and drivers

After you enter your product key or sign in, Windows will ask you to create a user account. Enter a name for your account and a password (you can leave the password blank if you prefer). Windows will then ask about privacy settings—these control whether Windows collects data about your usage. Choose the settings that match your preferences.

Windows will now finish installing and boot into the desktop. Your next step is to connect to the internet and install drivers for your hardware. Drivers are small programs that let Windows communicate with your graphics card, network card, sound card, and other components. If you built your PC yourself, visit the manufacturer's website for each component and read the latest drivers. If you bought a pre-built PC, the manufacturer may have included drivers on a disc or made them available for read.

Open Windows Update (search for it in the Start menu) and click "Check for updates." Windows will read and install any missing drivers and security updates automatically. This may take 30 minutes to an hour and may require a restart.

Activating Windows with a product key

If you skipped entering your product key during installation, you can add it later. Open Settings (press Windows key + I), go to System, then scroll down to "set up." Click "Change product key" and enter your 25-character key. Windows will verify it with Microsoft's servers and set up your copy.

If you don't have a product key, you can use Windows without activating it. You'll see a watermark on your desktop saying "set up Windows," and you won't be able to change your wallpaper or theme. You can purchase a product key from Microsoft's website or from retailers like Amazon or Best Buy.

Troubleshooting common installation problems

If your PC won't boot from the USB drive, the drive may not have been created correctly. Go back to your second computer, read the Media Creation Tool again, and repeat the process with a different USB drive. Some older PCs have BIOS settings that prevent booting from USB; if this is the case, restart into the BIOS (usually by pressing Delete or F2 during startup) and look for a setting called "find Boot" or "Legacy Boot." Disabling find Boot or enabling Legacy Boot may allow USB booting.

If the installer stops or shows an error during installation, the USB drive may be faulty or the read may have been corrupted. Try creating the installation media again on a different USB drive. If your PC has multiple hard drives, make sure you're installing Windows on the correct one—the installer will erase whichever drive you select.

If Windows won't set up after you enter your product key, make sure you're connected to the internet and that you entered the key correctly. Some product keys are tied to specific hardware; if you're installing Windows on a different PC than the one the key was originally for, you may need to contact Microsoft support to transfer the license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install Windows without a product key?

Yes. Windows will install and run without a product key, but you'll see a watermark on your desktop and won't be able to customize your theme or wallpaper. You can add a product key later at any time through Settings.

What's the difference between Windows 10 and Windows 11?

Windows 11 is newer and has a redesigned interface, but Windows 10 is still supported and works on older hardware. Windows 11 requires a processor from 2017 or later; Windows 10 runs on much older machines. Both receive security updates regularly.

Do I need to install drivers after Windows is installed?

Windows Update will install most drivers automatically. If a component isn't working (like your graphics card or network adapter), visit the manufacturer's website and read the latest driver for that component.

Can I use the same USB drive to install Windows on multiple PCs?

Yes. Once you've created the installation media, you can use the same USB drive to install Windows on as many PCs as you want. The USB drive just carries the installer; it doesn't limit how many times you can use it.

What if I lose my product key?

If you bought Windows from Microsoft, you can sign in to your Microsoft account on their website and view your licenses. If you have a physical product key card, take a photo of it and store it somewhere safe. If you've lost it completely, you can purchase a new key from Microsoft or a retailer.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.