Installing Windows 11

Create official installation media, install Windows cleanly, and get drivers sorted — without the bloat.

1. 1

   Create installation media

   On any working PC, download the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool from microsoft.com, run it, and let it write your USB drive. This wipes the drive.

   Tip: Download from Microsoft only — never from third-party sites.

2. 2

   Boot from USB

   Insert the USB into the new PC, power on, and tap the boot-menu key (usually F11, F12, or F8 — shown on the splash screen). Select the USB device in UEFI mode.

3. 3

   Install to the right drive

   Choose 'Custom install', select your NVMe SSD, delete any old partitions on it (fresh drives need nothing), and click Next. Windows handles partitioning automatically.

   Careful: Double-check the drive selection if multiple drives are connected — deleting partitions is irreversible. Safest: install with only the OS drive connected.

4. 4

   Get through setup sanely

   Follow the out-of-box experience. On the privacy screens, most toggles can be turned off without losing functionality. Skip the trial offers.

5. 5

   Install drivers and updates

   Run Windows Update repeatedly until nothing remains. Then install your GPU driver directly from NVIDIA/AMD/Intel, and chipset drivers from AMD/Intel (not the motherboard vendor's bundled utility suites).

   Tip: Skip 'driver updater' utilities — Windows Update plus vendor sites cover everything.