What are the advantages of Windows 11 if compared with Windows 10?

Windows 11 offers wider functionality and security features, and a new look. The new operating system has got new utilities and apps.

Will all my devices work with Windows 11?

All accessories that worked properly with Windows 10 and meet the minimal requirements for Windows 11 will operate as they should.

When will I be able to upgrade my PC from Windows 10 to Windows 11?

If you are currently using the latest version of Windows 10 and your PC meets all requirements for Windows 11, you can upgrade it as soon as you wish. To find out if your PC meets the minimal requirements for Windows 11, download the special utility, PC Health Check.

What are the minimum system requirements to install Windows 11?

Processor (CPU): with 2 or more cores. RAM: 4 GB. If the computer has less than 4 GB of RAM, Windows 11 installation is not recommended. Storage: from 64 GB or more. System software: UEFI and Secure Boot. If your computer doesn't meet the minimum requirements because it doesn’t use Secure Boot, find out if this feature can be enabled. TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. Graphics card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later, with a WDDM 2.0 driver. Internet connection and Microsoft accounts: to complete the setup, Windows 11 requires an Internet connection and a Microsoft account.

What happens to my files and documents when I switch to the new operating system?

By default, your files and documents are preserved in the course of the new installation. However, we always recommend backing up your data, just in case.

Clean installation of Windows 11 on a desktop computer or laptop from a bootable flash drive or disk

In this article, we’ll describe how to make a clean installation of Windows 11 from a bootable flash drive or disk on a desktop computer or laptop. As we know, the first build of Windows 11 is already available for anyone who wish to install it.

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Upgrading Windows 10 to Windows 11

If you already have a copy of Windows 10 installed on your computer, it can be upgraded to Windows 11 without having to use a bootable drive, and with all data and registration details preserved. There’s a detailed video tutorial for that in our channel.

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⚙️ Clean Installation of Windows 11 On a Computer or Laptop from a Bootable Flash Drive or Disk

Creating a bootable USB drive to install Windows 11

For installation, the first thing you need is a bootable USB drive with Windows 11. You can find detailed information on creating such drive in the following article: “How to Create a Bootable USB Drive to Install Windows 11”.

Installation of Windows 11 on a computer or laptop from a bootable flash drive

Let’s begin by connecting a bootable disk or flash drive to your desktop computer or laptop, and restarting it. If the computer won’t boot from the installation media, access BIOS or UEFI and change the boot priority options. There is another video in our channel on how to enter BIOS or UEFI and boot your computer from a USB drive.

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How to Enter BIOS or UEFI in a Computer or Laptop and Boot from a Flash Drive or a CD, DVD 💽🛠️💻

After booting from the USB drive you will see a standard Windows booting window. Depending on the computer’s configuration, this window may be there from several seconds to several minutes. In the next window, choose the language, time format and currency as well as keyboard layout, then click Next.

Choose the language, time format and currency as well as keyboard layout

After that, hit “Install now”. At this point, you can also go to the Recovery Environment by clicking on “Repair your computer”, but we are not interested in that now, so let’s skip it.

Then you will see a window saying: “Setup is starting”, which means the system is getting everything ready to install Windows 11. It can take some time. In the next window, you’ll be asked to enter a product key to activate Windows 11. If you have no key to use, click “I don’t have a product key”.

Select the version of the operating system. Accept the License Agreement.

Select the version of the operating system, Windows 11

After that, you get to the window selecting the installation type. Choose the second type – “Custom”. This is the one that lets you run a clean installation, and that’s exactly what we need.

In the next window, you should select the disk where to install Windows 11. This could be a local disk (if this computer had an operating system installed before), or some unallocated space if the drive is new or the partitions have been removed before the installation.

If you choose to install it on an existing local disk, be careful, as all of its data will be destroyed. Also, at this stage you can allocate the disk space of a new drive to have several local disks of any size you wish, remove or format existing partitions, or create new partitions. Do it with a bunch of available options: “Delete” – to remove an existing partition, “Format” – to format it, and “New” – to create a new one.

One more time, I’d like to emphasize that any actions that involve creating, formatting or removing partitions or logical disks inevitably result in deleting their data. If there is no need to divide the disk into logical partitions, you click “Next” and the installer will create a partition automatically on the disk that you choose.

Choose the disk where you’d like to install Windows and click “Next”; the installation process will start. Wait until it is over.

Configuring Windows 11 installation settings

After another restart, the settings configuration window will appear. Select the country or region.

Keyboard layout and input method. If necessary, you can add extra options. Now wait a bit while the operating system is checking for updates.

Choosing keyboard layout and input method

At this stage, select the configuration to be applied to your device: it’s either for personal use or for work and school. If you already have a Microsoft account, sign in; if you don’t, it’s a good chance to finally create one.

After that, the system will suggest you to create a Windows Hello PIN.

At the next stage, select your privacy settings. Choose your options and click “Next”. The operating system will check for available updates.

After that, you will see the welcome screen, and the operating system will start the process of getting your device ready for work. When it is over, the system boots to desktop, and it means that Windows 11 is now installed.