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

What You Need Before You Start

Installing Windows on a new PC requires three things: a Windows installation file on a USB drive, a product key (the license code that came with your PC or Windows purchase), and about 20 to 30 minutes of uninterrupted time. The USB drive must be at least 8 GB and will be erased during the process, so use one that is empty or contains nothing you need to keep.

If your PC is completely new and has never had an operating system, you will start from the BIOS or UEFI screen — a text-based menu that appears before Windows loads. If you are replacing an existing Windows installation, the process is the same, but your old files will be erased unless you back them up first.

You will also need a second computer to create the installation USB. Windows provides a free tool called the Media Creation Tool that handles this for you. read it from Microsoft's website on any working computer, then follow its prompts to build the bootable USB.

Key Takeaways

You need a USB drive with Windows installation files, created using Microsoft's Media Creation Tool on another computer.
Insert the USB into your new PC, restart it, and press the key shown on screen (usually Delete, F2, or F12) to enter the boot menu.
Select the USB drive from the boot menu, then follow the Windows installer's prompts to choose your drive, language, and product key.
The installation takes 15 to 25 minutes and your PC will restart several times — do not unplug it or press the power button during this time.
After installation finishes, Windows will ask for your product key and let you create a user account before you can use the desktop.

Creating the Installation USB on Another Computer

Go to Microsoft's website and read the Media Creation Tool. Open it and select "Create installation media for another PC." Choose your language, Windows edition (usually Windows 11 Home or Pro, depending on what you purchased), and architecture (64-bit for almost all modern PCs). Then select "USB flash drive" as your media type.

Plug in your empty USB drive and the tool will detect it. Select it from the list and click Next. The tool will read Windows files and write them to the USB — this takes 10 to 20 minutes depending on your internet speed. When it finishes, safely eject the USB and take it to your new PC.

Entering the Boot Menu on Your New PC

Plug the USB drive into any USB port on your new PC. Power on the computer and watch the screen carefully. Within the first few seconds, you will see a message like "Press Delete to enter Setup" or "Press F2 for BIOS" or "Press F12 for Boot Menu." The exact key varies by manufacturer — common ones are Delete, F2, F10, F12, or Esc. Press it when ready and repeatedly if needed.

If you miss the window and Windows starts to load (or you see a "No operating system found" error), restart the PC and try again. You have only a few seconds to catch the prompt. If you are unsure which key to press, look up your PC's brand and model number online — the manufacturer's support page lists the correct key.

Once you press the right key, you will see the BIOS or boot menu screen. Look for an option that says "Boot Order," "Boot Device," or "Boot Options." Select it and you should see your USB drive listed by name or as "USB Device" or "Removable Media."

Running the Windows Installer

Select your USB drive from the boot menu and press Enter. The PC will restart and load the Windows Setup screen. You will see options for language, time, and keyboard layout — these match your region and preferences. Select them and click Next.

The installer will ask where you want to install Windows. If your PC is brand new, you will see one or more empty drives listed. Select the drive where you want Windows (usually the largest one, or the one labeled as your main drive). Click Next and the installer will begin copying files.

When prompted, enter your Windows product key. This is a 25-character code that came with your PC, your Windows purchase, or your license email. If you do not have it yet, you can skip this step and enter it later — Windows will still install, but you will see a watermark on your desktop until you add the key.

Waiting for Installation to Complete

Once the installer starts, your PC will restart several times. This is normal. You will see a spinning circle or progress bar, and the screen may go black between restarts. Do not press the power button, unplug the PC, or remove the USB drive during this time. The process typically takes 15 to 25 minutes from start to finish.

If the PC gets stuck on a black screen for more than 5 minutes, or if you see an error message, restart it and try again. Most installation problems resolve on a second attempt. If the same error appears twice, note the error code and search for it online along with your PC's brand — this usually points to a specific fix.

Setting Up Your Account and First Login

When installation finishes, Windows will ask you to create a user account. Enter a name for your account and optionally a password. If you are setting up a personal PC, you can skip the password for now and add one later through Settings. If this is a work or shared PC, use a strong password.

Windows will then ask about privacy settings — whether to send diagnostic data to Microsoft, whether to use online accounts, and whether to enable features like Cortana. You can change all of these later in Settings, so choose what feels right for now. Click Next and Windows will finish its setup.

Your PC will load the desktop, and you will see the taskbar at the bottom. Windows is now installed. Your next steps are usually to connect to the internet, install drivers (Windows often finds these automatically), and install the programs you use.

Troubleshooting Common Installation Problems

If Windows will not start from the USB, the USB drive may not have been created correctly. Go back to the other computer, read the Media Creation Tool again, and repeat the process with a different USB drive. Some USB drives have compatibility issues — try a different brand if possible.

If you see an error about "No bootable device found," you may have selected the wrong drive in the boot menu, or the USB was not recognized. Restart the PC, re-enter the boot menu, and look for your USB drive under a different name — it might say "UEFI: USB Device" or list the manufacturer's name instead of "USB."

If installation starts but fails partway through with an error code, write down the code and search for it along with "Windows 11 installation error" or "Windows 10 installation error." Most errors have documented solutions. Common causes are bad USB drives, incompatible hardware, or corrupted read files — trying a fresh USB usually fixes it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need the product key before I start installing?

No. You can skip entering the key during installation and add it later through Settings. Windows will work without it, but you will see a watermark on your desktop and some customization options will be locked. You have 30 days to enter a key before Windows stops letting you make changes.

What if my PC has multiple drives and I do not know which one to install Windows on?

During installation, the largest drive is usually the right choice. If you have two drives of similar size, pick the faster one if you know which it is — SSDs are faster than hard drives. You can always install Windows on a different drive later by repeating this process, so do not worry too much about getting it perfect the first time.

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

Yes. The USB drive is just a copy of the Windows files and can be used as many times as you want. You do not need to recreate it unless you want to update to a newer version of Windows or use a different edition.

What should I do if Windows installation gets stuck on a black screen?

Wait at least 5 minutes — sometimes the installer is working even though nothing appears on screen. If nothing changes after 5 minutes, hold the power button for 10 seconds to shut down the PC, then restart it and try the installation again. Most stuck installations complete successfully on the second attempt.

Do I need to remove the USB drive after Windows installs?

You can leave it in or remove it — it does not matter once Windows has finished installing. If you leave it in and restart the PC, you may see the boot menu again. To avoid this, remove the USB after installation is complete, or change the boot order in BIOS to prioritize your hard drive over USB.

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.