How to install Windows 11 on a new PC

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Building a new PC can be a fun and perhaps slightly daunting process if you're doing it for the first time. Even if you encounter some challenges, it's usually worth it for the feeling of turning it on for the first time and knowing that a faster (presumably) better experience awaits you. Then there's the moment when you realize you still need to install an operating system like Windows 11.




Fortunately, installing Windows 11 is the easiest part of building a new PC. I say that because this step doesn't require any complicated assembly. All you have to do is follow the on-screen instructions. As long as you have the right tools and follow the steps below, you'll be up and running in no time. However, be prepared for the installation to take some time.

This is what you need

To install Windows 11, you need four things:

  • An internet connection
  • An empty USB stick with a size of at least 8 GB
  • A third-party tool like Rufus or similar (optional)
  • A separate computer that is already functional

The list contains relatively few items, so it shouldn't be too difficult to get started.


If you meet all of the above requirements, you can start creating installation media for your new PC.

Because this process is
Delete all data on the USB drive
we recommend starting with a blank drive and disconnecting everything except the drive you want to use for the operating system to avoid errors.

  1. On your working (replacement) computer, go to the Windows 11 download page and look for the section called Create Windows 11 installation mediaClick on the Download now button below.
  2. Once the file has finished downloading, run it and click Accept.
    Screenshot of the Windows 11 download page with the

    Screenshot of the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool with the license agreement

  3. You will be asked to select the language you want Windows 11 to be displayed in. By default, it will match your current system, but you can change it if necessary. Click Next.
  4. Either an ISO file or a flash drive can be used as the installation media. However, if you have a new PC, only the flash drive will work. Select USB memory stick and click on Next.
  5. You will see a list of all USB drives connected to your PC. Select the correct drive and click Next.
    Screenshot of the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool with options to change the language and edition of the operating system

    Screenshot of the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool with options to use a USB flash drive or ISO file as installation media


The Windows 11 download will begin and the operating system files will be transferred to your USB stick. Once this is complete, your USB stick can be used as installation media.

Using Rufus to create a bootable USB drive

While the process above should work for almost everyone, you may not have access to a USB stick and an internet connection at the same time, or you may want to get around some of Windows 11's system requirements. Rufus is a great software that can help with both things. Here's how to use it.

It is best to disconnect all other drives here as well, as this process will delete all data on the selected drive.


  1. Follow the process above, but instead of USB memory stickchoose ISO file when prompted (step 4). Alternatively, ISO files are available for direct download from the Windows 11 download page.
  2. Connect the USB memory stick to your PC and run Rufus. Select your drive at the top of the window.
    Screenshot of Rufus with a selected flash drive

    Screenshot of Rufus with Select button highlighted to select a source ISO

  3. Click on the CHOOSE Click the button above and select the ISO file you downloaded earlier. Some default settings will be selected that you don't need to change. Click START at the bottom of the window.
  4. You'll see a number of options in a pop-up, but you don't need to change anything here. By default, Rufus disables compatibility checks so you can install Windows 11 on PCs that don't meet all the requirements. Click OK.
    Screenshot of Rufus with Select button highlighted to select a source ISO

    Screenshot of the installation customization options in Rufus with the 4GB RAM, Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 requirements removed

Rufus will begin transferring the installation files to the USB stick. Be sure to leave it plugged in until the process is complete. You will then have the Windows 11 installation media that you can plug into your new PC to start the installation.


Installing Windows 11 on your PC

Once you have the installation media ready, it's time to install Windows 11 on your new PC (which doesn't have an operating system yet). Here's how to do it.

  1. Connect the USB drive to the PC where you want to install Windows 11 and turn on the computer.
  2. Since the PC does not yet have a boot drive configured, it should boot from your USB memory stick by default.

    If booting from the USB stick doesn't work, you may need to press Esc, F1, F11, or F12 at startup to get into the BIOS settings. If your motherboard has a boot menu, you should see a list of available drives to boot from, then select your flash drive from the list. Otherwise, navigate to the BIOS to find the boot options and move your flash drive to the top of the list of boot devices.

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    Start menu on an Asus ROG laptop

  3. Once you boot from the flash drive, you will be asked to select your language, region, and keyboard layout. Click NextThen Install now on the next screen.
  4. You will be asked for a product key to activate Windows. You should have purchased a license, but if you want to enter the product key later, you can click I don't have a product key. If you have one, enter it and then click Next.
    Screenshot of the Windows preinstallation environment where the user is asked to select language and regional settings

    Screenshot of the Windows preinstallation environment asking the user for a product key

    If you haven't entered a product key, you'll be asked to select the edition of Windows 11 you want to install. Choose the edition that matches the product key you want to use, otherwise you may not be able to activate it later. Click Next.

  1. Accept the license agreement.
  2. On the next screen, click Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).
    Screenshot of the Windows preinstallation environment where the user is asked to select the correct edition of Windows 11

    Screenshot of the Windows preinstallation environment with the user license agreement

  3. You should see a list of drives on your PC and you can choose where you want to install Windows 11. You can also create multiple partitions if you want, but otherwise just select the drive and click Next.
  4. The installation of Windows 11 will start now. Just wait for it to finish.
    Screenshot of the Windows preinstallation environment asking the user whether to upgrade an existing installation or simply install Windows

    Screenshot of Windows 11 setup with a list of drives. Only one drive is installed and all the space on it is unallocated.


Once the installation is complete, you'll be taken through the Windows 11 out-of-box experience (OOBE). This is the same thing you'd see on a brand new laptop or after resetting a PC, and it should be pretty easy to understand. If you want to learn more about this part of the experience, you can check out this guide.

Now you can use your PC

That's everything you need to know about installing Windows 11 on a new PC you just built. This process has remained largely unchanged for many years, so it should look familiar if you've done it before. Of course, things get a little trickier if you want to run, say, Windows 11 and Linux in dual-boot mode.

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