You can install Windows 11 on a computer with no internet by using installation media on a USB drive or DVD

Windows 11 requires an internet connection during setup if you use the standard installation method, but you can bypass this by creating offline installation media first. The process involves downloading the Windows 11 installer on a computer that does have internet, transferring it to a USB drive or DVD, then running that media on your target machine. This approach works whether your computer has never had Windows on it or you are replacing an existing operating system.

The offline installation takes the same amount of time as a normal install — usually 20 to 40 minutes depending on your drive speed — but you will need a second device with internet access to prepare the media beforehand. Once Windows 11 is installed, you can connect to the internet and read drivers and updates.

Key Takeaways

  • read the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool on any computer with internet, then use it to write the installer to a USB drive or blank DVD.
  • A USB drive of at least 8 GB works faster and more reliably than a DVD for offline installation.
  • Boot your target computer from the USB drive or DVD by pressing a key during startup — usually F12, Esc, or Del depending on your computer's manufacturer.
  • During installation, skip the network connection step by selecting "I don't have internet" or unplugging your ethernet cable before setup begins.
  • After Windows 11 finishes installing, you will need to read and install drivers for your network card, graphics card, and other hardware before connecting to the internet.

What you need before you start

Gather these items: a computer with internet access (can be a laptop, desktop, or tablet), a USB drive with at least 8 GB of storage space (or a blank DVD if you prefer), and the computer where you want to install Windows 11. The USB drive method is faster and more forgiving than DVD, so use USB if you have one available.

You will also need to know your Windows 11 product key if you have one, though the installation can proceed without it — you can enter the key later or use Windows 11 without set up for a period of time. If you are replacing an existing Windows installation, back up any files you want to keep before you start, because the installation process will erase the drive.

Creating installation media on a computer with internet

Go to microsoft.com/software-read/windows11 on the computer that has internet access. read the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool — this is a small program that downloads the full Windows 11 installer and writes it to your USB drive or DVD.

Run the Media Creation Tool once it finishes downloading. Select "Create installation media for another PC" when it asks what you want to do. Choose your language, Windows 11 edition (Home or Pro — choose the one that matches your product key, or Home if you do not have a key), and architecture (64-bit for almost all modern computers). Select USB flash drive as your media type, then choose your USB drive from the list. The tool will read Windows 11 — this can take 10 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed — then write it to the drive. Do not unplug the USB drive until the tool says it is finished.

If you are using a DVD instead, select DVD disc drive in the Media Creation Tool, insert a blank DVD, and let the tool write to it. DVDs are slower and more prone to errors during writing, so test the disc on another computer before relying on it for installation.

Booting from the USB drive or DVD on your target computer

Plug the USB drive into the computer where you want to install Windows 11, or insert the DVD if you created one. Restart the computer and watch the screen carefully during startup. You should see a message that says "Press [key] to enter Setup" or "Press [key] to boot from USB" — the key varies by manufacturer. Common keys are F12, Esc, Del, or F2. If you miss the prompt, restart again and try pressing the key repeatedly as soon as you see the manufacturer's logo.

A menu will appear showing your boot options. Select the USB drive or DVD from the list — it may be labeled as "USB Device", "UEFI: [drive name]", or "CD/DVD Drive". The Windows 11 installer will load from the media, which takes a minute or two.

Running the Windows 11 installation without internet

The Windows 11 setup wizard will start. Select your language, time zone, and keyboard layout on the first screens. When you reach the screen that asks about connecting to the internet, select "I don't have internet" or "Continue with limited setup" — the exact wording depends on your Windows 11 version. This skips the requirement to sign in with a Microsoft account and lets you create a local account instead.

If the "I don't have internet" option does not appear, unplug your ethernet cable before setup begins, or disable Wi-Fi in your BIOS if your computer has it. Windows 11 will not force an internet connection if none is available.

Enter a username and password for your local account. This is the account you will use to log in to Windows 11 until you connect to the internet and add a Microsoft account later. Complete the remaining setup screens — these cover privacy settings, which you can adjust to your preference. Windows 11 will then install to your drive, which takes 15 to 40 minutes depending on your hardware.

Installing drivers after Windows 11 is installed

Once Windows 11 finishes installing and you see the desktop, you will need drivers for your network hardware before you can connect to the internet. If your computer has ethernet, plug in the cable — Windows 11 may detect and install the network driver automatically. If it does not, or if you use Wi-Fi, you will need to install the network driver manually.

Go to your computer manufacturer's support website on another device with internet. Search for your computer model and read the network driver (also called LAN driver or Ethernet driver for wired, or Wi-Fi driver for wireless). Transfer the driver file to a USB drive, plug it into your newly installed Windows 11 computer, and run the installer. Restart when prompted. After the network driver is installed, you can connect to the internet and Windows 11 will read and install other drivers automatically.

If you do not know your computer model, look at the case or documentation, or run the command systeminfo in Command Prompt on another Windows computer to see what hardware you have. Some manufacturers like Dell and Lenovo have automatic driver detection tools that can identify your hardware and read the correct drivers.

Troubleshooting common installation problems

If the computer does not boot from the USB drive or DVD, restart and try a different boot key — F2 and Del are common on desktops, while F12 and Esc are common on laptops. If no boot menu appears, your computer may have find Boot enabled in the BIOS. Restart, enter the BIOS setup (usually by pressing Del or F2 during startup), find the find Boot setting, and disable it temporarily. Some computers also require you to disable Fast Boot in the BIOS before they will recognize USB media.

If the installation starts but fails partway through, the USB drive or DVD may be corrupted. Go back to the computer with internet, delete the files on the USB drive, and run the Media Creation Tool again to rewrite it. If the installation fails on multiple attempts, try a different USB drive — some older or low-quality drives do not work reliably with Windows 11.

If Windows 11 installs but you cannot connect to the internet afterward, the network driver did not install. Check the Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting Device Manager. Look for any devices with a yellow warning icon — these are hardware without drivers. read the correct driver from your manufacturer's website using another computer, transfer it via USB drive, and install it.

When to use offline installation instead of online

Offline installation is necessary if your computer has no internet connection, but it is also useful if your internet is very slow or unreliable. The Media Creation Tool downloads Windows 11 once on a fast connection, then you can use that same USB drive to install on multiple computers without downloading again. This saves time and bandwidth if you are setting up several machines.

Offline installation also gives you more control over what gets installed. When you install online, Windows 11 downloads and installs updates during setup, which can add 30 minutes or more to the process. Offline installation skips this step, so you get a clean Windows 11 system that you can update later on your own schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a product key to install Windows 11 offline?

No. You can skip entering a product key during installation and use Windows 11 without set up for a period of time. You can add your product key later through Settings once you have internet. If you do not have a product key, Windows 11 will continue to work with a watermark on the desktop.

Can I use the same USB drive to install Windows 11 on multiple computers?

Yes. Once you create the installation media, you can use the same USB drive to install on as many computers as you want. The drive is reusable and does not wear out from repeated installations.

What if my computer does not have a USB port?

Use a DVD instead. The Media Creation Tool can write to a blank DVD disc. You will need a DVD drive on your computer, which older machines typically have. If your computer has neither USB nor DVD, you may need an external DVD drive, which connects via USB.

Will offline installation work on a computer with Windows 10 already installed?

Yes. Boot from the USB drive or DVD and the Windows 11 installer will run. You can choose to upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 or perform a clean installation that erases everything. A clean installation is faster and more reliable if you are having problems with Windows 10.

How long does the whole process take from start to finish?

Creating the installation media takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on your internet speed. The actual installation on your target computer takes 20 to 40 minutes. Installing drivers afterward can take another 10 to 20 minutes if you need to read them manually. Plan for 1 to 2 hours total if you are doing this for the first time.