Installing Windows 11 on a New PC: Step-by-Step

What you need before you start

Installing Windows 11 on a new PC requires three things: a USB drive with at least 8 GB of storage space, a computer that already has Windows (or access to one), and your Windows 11 product key or digital license. If your new PC came with Windows 11 pre-installed, you do not need to do this — it is already set up and ready to use.

If you are building a PC from parts or bought one without an operating system, you will need to create installation media first. This means downloading Windows 11 from Microsoft's website onto a USB drive, then using that drive to install it on your new machine. The process takes about 20 to 30 minutes once you start, though the actual file transfer can take longer depending on your internet speed and USB drive speed.

Check that your new PC meets Windows 11's hardware requirements: a 1 GHz processor with at least two cores, 4 GB of RAM (8 GB recommended), and 64 GB of storage space. Most new PCs sold today meet these requirements, but older or budget machines sometimes do not.

Key Takeaways

You need a USB drive with at least 8 GB of space, a working computer to create the installation media, and your Windows 11 product key or proof of digital license.
read the Windows 11 Installation Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website, not from third-party sites, to avoid malware or corrupted files.
The installation process itself takes 20 to 30 minutes, but you should allow extra time for file transfers and any restarts your PC requires.
After installation completes, Windows will ask you to sign in with a Microsoft account or local account, then read and install updates before you use the PC for sensitive tasks.

Creating installation media on another computer

Go to Microsoft's official Windows 11 read page (microsoft.com/software-read/windows11) on a computer that already has Windows or another operating system. Do not read from any other source — third-party sites sometimes distribute corrupted or modified versions that cause installation failures or security problems.

Click "read now" under "Windows 11 Installation Media Creation Tool". This downloads a small program called MediaCreationTool.exe. Open this file and follow the prompts. The tool will ask you to accept the license terms, then choose "Create installation media for another PC".

Plug in your USB drive — the tool will erase everything on it, so make sure it is empty or contains only files you do not need. Select the USB drive from the list, then click Next. The tool will read the full Windows 11 installation files (about 5 to 6 GB) and copy them to your USB drive. This step can take 15 to 45 minutes depending on your internet speed.

Connecting the USB drive and starting installation

Plug the USB drive into your new PC. Turn on the PC and watch for a message that says "Press any key to boot from USB" or similar — this usually appears within the first few seconds. Press any key when ready. If you miss this window, restart the PC and try again.

The PC will load the Windows 11 installation program from the USB drive. You will see a screen asking you to choose your language, time zone, and keyboard layout. Select your preferences and click Next.

On the next screen, click "Install now". Windows will ask for your product key — this is a 25-character code that came with your PC, your Windows license email, or a sticker on your machine. If you do not have a product key yet, you can click "I do not have a product key" and install Windows in an unactivated state. You will have 30 days to enter a key later, though some features may be limited until you do.

Choosing where to install and completing setup

Windows will ask you to choose which drive to install on. If your PC has only one drive, it will be selected already. If you have multiple drives and are unsure which one to use, choose the largest one — this is usually your main storage drive. Click Next to continue.

Windows will now copy files and install itself. Your PC will restart several times during this process — this is normal and expected. Do not unplug the USB drive or turn off the PC during installation. The entire process usually takes 15 to 25 minutes from this point.

When installation finishes, Windows will ask you to sign in. You can use a Microsoft account (your Outlook, Hotmail, or other Microsoft email address) or create a local account with just a username and password. A Microsoft account makes it easier to recover your password later and to sync settings across devices, but a local account works fine if you prefer not to use one.

Installing updates and drivers after installation

After you sign in, Windows will check for updates. Let it read and install these — they include security patches and fixes for known problems. This can take 10 to 30 minutes depending on how many updates are available. Your PC may restart again during this process.

Once updates finish, Windows will automatically read and install drivers for your hardware — your graphics card, network adapter, and other components. You can check the status by opening Settings, clicking System, then About. If it says "You are up to date", all drivers have been installed.

If you have a graphics card from Nvidia or AMD, you may want to read the latest drivers from their websites (nvidia.com or amd.com) for better performance in games or graphics-heavy work. This is optional but recommended if you plan to use your PC for those tasks.

Removing the USB drive and activating Windows

Once Windows is fully installed and updated, you can remove the USB drive. You do not need it anymore unless you want to install Windows on another PC later.

If you entered a product key during installation, Windows should set up automatically within a few hours. If you skipped the product key step, go to Settings, click System, then About. Scroll down to "Windows set up" and click "set up". Enter your product key when prompted. If you do not have a key yet, you can purchase one from Microsoft's website or from authorized retailers.

An unactivated copy of Windows 11 will work for 30 days, but you will see a watermark in the bottom right corner of your screen and some personalization features will be locked. After 30 days, you will not be able to change your wallpaper, theme, or accent colors until you set up.

Troubleshooting common installation problems

If your PC does not boot from the USB drive, restart it and try pressing a different key during startup — common keys are F12, F2, Esc, or Del, depending on your PC's manufacturer. Some PCs require you to hold the key down rather than tap it. If you are still stuck, check your PC's manual or search for "[your PC model] boot from USB" online.

If installation fails partway through with an error message, the most common cause is a corrupted USB drive or a bad read. Create the installation media again on a different USB drive using a different computer if possible. If the error mentions "TPM" or "find Boot", your PC may have these security features turned off in the BIOS — this is a more advanced fix that requires restarting into your PC's firmware settings.

If Windows installs but your internet does not work, you may need to install network drivers manually. Plug the USB drive back in, open File Explorer, and look for a Drivers folder. If one exists, open it and look for a network or ethernet driver. Double-click it to install. If no Drivers folder exists, read the drivers on another PC, copy them to the USB drive, then install them on your new PC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a product key before I start installing?

No. You can install Windows 11 without a product key and set up it later within 30 days. During those 30 days, Windows works normally except you cannot change your wallpaper or theme. If you do not set up within 30 days, you can still use Windows, but the restrictions remain permanent until you enter a key.

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

Yes. Once you create the installation media, you can use that same USB drive to install Windows on as many PCs as you want. You will need a separate product key for each PC you install on, unless you have a volume license.

What if my new PC does not have a USB port?

Most new PCs have at least one USB port, usually USB-A (the rectangular kind) or USB-C (the smaller oval kind). If yours does not, you can use a USB-C to USB-A adapter or a USB hub. Plug the adapter or hub into your PC, then plug the USB drive into that. Installation will be slower over an adapter, but it works.

Is it safe to install Windows 11 myself, or should I pay someone to do it?

Installing Windows yourself is safe as long as you read from Microsoft's official website and follow the steps in order. The process is designed for non-technical users. Paying someone to do it is unnecessary unless you also want them to install other software or configure your PC in specific ways.

What happens to my files if I install Windows on a PC that already has Windows?

If you install Windows on a drive that already has files on it, those files will be deleted. If you want to keep them, copy them to an external drive or another computer first. If your PC has multiple drives, you can install Windows on one drive and keep your files on another.

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.