How To Start Fresh With A Clean Installation Of Windows

On Windows 11 (version 21H2), a clean installation refers to the process of erasing the hard drive and applying a fresh copy of the Os without custom settings, drivers, apps, or files. Typically, this is the recommended arroyo to upgrade to the latest version of Windows 11 on compatible hardware to prevent installation problems and set existing bug.

For example, if the computer had the aforementioned setup for a long time, a clean install of Windows 11 tin can aid resolve performance bug, problems shutting downwards, booting up, retentiveness, and apps. Besides, this type of installation is the best method to upgrade from an older version, such as Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. In addition, you lot can utilize this choice to delete annoying bloatware that came preloaded with the default setup.

Microsoft supports multiple means to make clean install Windows 11, including using a USB flash drive to set up the OS on an SSD (Solid-Country Drive). It's likewise possible to use the "Reset this PC" feature to apace wipe out the hard bulldoze and reinstall the OS without boosted tools. Or, if the device does non showtime, you can apply the Advanced startup options or mountain the ISO file to File Explorer to offset a clean install.

In this guide, you will learn vi different ways to perform a clean installation of Windows 11 on your computer. Nevertheless, before proceeding with these instructions, do these things before the installation.

How to clean install Windows xi from USB
How to clean install Windows 11 from ISO file
How to clean install Windows 11 using Reset this PC local image
How to clean install Windows xi using Reset this PC Cloud Download
How to clean install Windows 11 from Advanced startup options
How to clean install Windows xi using Media Creation Tool

Important: This process volition delete everything on your device. It's recommended to brand a total backup of your computer before proceeding. You've been warned. Too, these instructions are meant to help y'all install Windows 11 when information technology's officially bachelor, not before.

How to make clean install Windows 11 from USB

Using a USB wink drive is the most straightforward method to perform a make clean install of Windows eleven. Y'all can create a bootable media using the Media Creation Tool, Command Prompt, Rufus, or any other third-party tool. (Run into likewise this video tutorial with the installation process from USB at the Pureinfotech YouTube channel.)

If you cull this method, you also have to make certain the device tin outset from USB, which means yous will take to change the BIOS or UEFI settings. The only caveat is that since these settings are different on most computers, you will have to check your manufacturer back up website for more than specific details.

To perform a make clean install of Windows eleven from USB, apply these steps:

Showtime the PC with the Windows 11 USB flash drive.
Press any key to go on.
Click the Adjacent button.

Windows 11 Setup
Click the Install now button.

Windows 11 install option
Click the I don't have a product key option if you lot are doing a reinstallation. If Windows xi was already activated afterward the installation, reactivation would happen automatically.

Skip license key option
Select the edition of "Windows 11" that your license key activates (if applicable).
Check theI have the license terms option.
Click the Next button.
Select theCustom: Install Windows only (advanced) pick.

Windows xi custom install selection
Select each division in the hard drive yous want to install Windows 11 21H2 and click the Delete push button. (Usually, the "Drive 0" is the drive that contains all the installation files.)

Delete partitions Windows 11 setup

Alarm: When yous delete a partition, information technology likewise deletes all data on the drive. Too, it is not required to delete the partitions from a secondary hard drive.
Select the difficult drive (Drive 0 Unallocated Space) to install Windows 11.

Clean install Windows 11 on unallocated space
Click the Next push.
Select your region setting after the installation on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).

Windows 11 OOBE region
Click the Yeah button.
Select your keyboard layout setting.

Keyboard layout
Click the Aye button.
Click the Skip button if you do non demand to configure a second layout.
If the estimator uses an Ethernet connectedness, it will automatically connect to the network. If you have a wireless connectedness, you will need to ready the connection manually (a security primal may be required).
(Optional) Confirm a name for the computer.
Click the Next push button. (The device volition restart automatically.)
Select the Fix for personal use option if you are setting Windows xi Pro. The "Home" edition does not accept this pick.

Windows 11 setup types
Click the Next push button.
Confirm your Microsoft business relationship email, phone number, or Skype identification to create an business relationship.

Create Windows 11 account
Click the Adjacent push button.
Confirm your Microsoft business relationship password.
Click the Adjacent button.
Click the Create PIN push.

Windows eleven OOBE create PIN
Create a new iv-digit Pivot.

Create account Pin
Click the OK button.
Select the Set upwards equally new device choice. Or select to restore your settings from a previous installation.

Windows 11 OOBE restore settings
Click the Next push button.
Confirm your privacy settings that best suit your situation by turning on or off the toggle switch for each setting.

Windows 11 OOBE privacy settings
Click the Adjacent push.
Click the Next button once again.
Click theAccept button.

Privacy settings continued
(Optional) On the "Allow's customize your feel" page, select one or more means y'all plan to employ the device to allow the setup to suggest tools and services customization during this experience.

Windows eleven OOBE customize feel options
Click the Accept button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.
Select the Back up my files with OneDrive option to automatically upload your Desktop, Pictures, and Documents folders to the cloud. Or Select the Only save file to this PC pick.

Windows 11 OOBE backup files to OneDrive
Click the Next button.
Click the No, thanks push button to skip the Microsoft 365 setup.

Skip Office installation

Once yous complete the steps, Windows eleven will continue the installation on the computer.

How to clean install Windows 11 from ISO file

Alternatively, you tin mount the ISO in File Explorer to launch a clean install or in-place upgrade on a device with the operating arrangement already installed.

To make clean install Windows xi with an ISO file, use these steps:

Open Microsoft Support website.
Under the "Download Windows xi Disk Prototype (ISO)" section, select the Windows 11 choice.
Click the Download push button.
Select the installation language.
Click the Confirm button.
Click the Download push button to salve the Windows 11 ISO file on the device.
Right-click the ISO file, select the Mount option.

File Explorer mount ISO option
Select the virtual drive from the left navigation pane.
Double-click the Setup file to begin the Windows 11 21H2 installation.

Windows 11 setup.exe
(Optional) Click the Change how Windows Setup downloads updates option.

Windows 11 setup update options
Select the Not right at present pick.

Disable updates during installation
Click the Adjacent button.
Click the Have button to agree to the terms.
Click the Alter what to keep pick.

Media Cosmos Tool settings
Select the Nothing option.

Nothing pick
Click the Adjacent button.
Click the Install button.

Windows eleven ISO clean install setup
Select your region setting after the installation on the starting time folio of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).

Windows eleven OOBE region
Click the Aye button.
Select your keyboard layout setting.

Keyboard layout
Click the Aye push.
Click the Skip push if you do not need to configure a second layout.
If the reckoner uses an Ethernet connection, it will automatically connect to the network. If you take a wireless connectedness, yous will need to ready the connection manually (a security central may be required).
(Optional) Confirm a name for the computer.
Click the Next button. (The device will restart automatically.)
Select the Prepare for personal use option if you are setting Windows 11 Pro. The "Dwelling house" edition does non have this option.

Windows 11 setup types
Click the Next button.
Confirm your Microsoft business relationship electronic mail, phone number, or Skype identification to create an business relationship.

Create Windows 11 business relationship
Click the Next push.
Ostend your Microsoft account password.
Click the Adjacent button.
Click the Create PIN button.

Windows xi OOBE create PIN
Create a new iv-digit Pin.

Create account Pin
Click the OK button.
Select the Set as new device option. Or select to restore your settings from a previous installation.

Windows 11 OOBE restore settings
Click the Next push.
Confirm your privacy settings that best arrange your situation by turning on or off the toggle switch for each setting.

Windows eleven OOBE privacy settings
Click the Next button.
Click the Next button again.
Click theAccept button.

Privacy settings connected
(Optional) On the "Let'south customize your feel" page, select one or more than ways you plan to apply the device to permit the setup to propose tools and services customization during this experience.

Windows 11 OOBE customize experience
Click the Accept push button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.
Select the Back up my files with OneDrive option to automatically upload your Desktop, Pictures, and Documents folders to the cloud. Or Select the Simply salvage file to this PC option.

Windows 11 OOBE fill-in files to OneDrive
Click the Side by side button.
Click the No, cheers button to skip the Microsoft 365 setup.

Skip Office installation

Once y'all complete the steps, the clean installation process will brainstorm, similar to using the Media Creation Tools or USB flash bulldoze to upgrade the system.

How to clean install Windows xi using Reset this PC local image

The recovery settings offering another method to start fresh with a clean copy of Windows 11. Unlike the Media Creation Tool, bootable flash bulldoze, and ISO file options, yous tin can only use this method to reinstall Windows eleven on a figurer already running the same Os.

If you plan to upgrade a reckoner running Windows 10, Windows 8.ane, or Windows seven, you will take to utilize one of the previous alternative methods.

To clean install Windows xi with the local recovery epitome, utilise these steps:

Open Settings on Windows xi.
Click on System.
Click on Recovery on the right side.

Windows 11 recovery
Nether the "Recovery options" department, in the "Reset this PC" setting, click the Reset PC push button.

Reset This PC
Click the Remove everything option to perform a fresh install of Windows 11.

Hard drive wipe out choice
Click the Local reinstall selection.

Local reinstall option
(Optional) Click the Change settings option.

Alter reset settings
Configure the reinstallation options:
- Clean data: If this option is set to No (recommended), then the setup will simply delete files, apps, and settings quickly. If the option is set to Yep, the setup will deeply clean the bulldoze before installing the operating arrangement, just it will take longer.
- Delete files from all drives: If the choice is fix to No (recommended), just the installation drive will be erased. Otherwise, if this selection is set to Yes, all the drives on the device will exist deleted.
- Download Windows: If this option is set to No (recommended), the local epitome will be used for installation. If the selection is set to Yes, then the "Deject download" choice will exist activated.
Click the Confirm button.

Choose reset settings
Click the Adjacent button.
Click the Reset push button.

Windows eleven clean install with Local reinstall option
Select your region setting after the installation on the outset page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).

Windows 11 OOBE region
Click the Yes push.
Select your keyboard layout setting.

Keyboard layout
Click the Yep button.
Click the Skip push button if you exercise not need to configure a 2d layout.
If the estimator uses an Ethernet connection, it will automatically connect to the network. If you have a wireless connection, yous will need to set up up the connection manually (a security central may be required).
(Optional) Ostend a proper noun for the computer.
Click the Next push. (The device volition restart automatically.)
Select the Set up for personal use selection if you are setting Windows 11 Pro. The "Home" edition does not have this option.

Windows 11 setup types
Click the Adjacent button.
Confirm your Microsoft account email, phone number, or Skype identification to create an business relationship.

Create Windows xi account
Click the Side by side button.
Confirm your Microsoft business relationship password.
Click the Next button.
Click the Create PIN button.

Windows 11 OOBE create PIN
Create a new four-digit Pivot.

Create business relationship Pin
Click the OK button.
Select the Set upward every bit new device choice. Or select to restore your settings from a previous installation.

Windows eleven OOBE restore settings
Click the Next push.
Confirm your privacy settings that best adjust your situation by turning on or off the toggle switch for each setting.

Windows 11 OOBE privacy settings
Click the Next button.
Click the Next button again.
Click theAccept button.

Privacy settings continued
(Optional) On the "Allow's customize your experience" page, select i or more than ways y'all plan to utilize the device to allow the setup to suggest tools and services customization during this experience.

Windows 11 OOBE customize feel
Click the Accept button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this role of the setup.
Select the Back up my files with OneDrive selection to automatically upload your Desktop, Pictures, and Documents folders to the cloud. Or Select the Only save file to this PC option.

Windows eleven OOBE backup files to OneDrive
Click the Next push.
Click the No, thanks push button to skip the Microsoft 365 setup.

Skip Function installation

Once you complete the steps, the recovery characteristic will go along with the reinstallation using the locally available paradigm of Windows 11. If you lot take a computer from HP, Dell, Acer, or another brand, this process volition restore the original settings. This means the manufacturing plant settings, drivers, applications, and tools the manufacturer included in the custom image.

If you lot don't desire to reinstall the custom manufacturer prototype, apply the "Cloud Download" option (see steps below).

How to make clean install Windows 11 using Reset this PC Cloud download

The Reset this PC characteristic also includes the "Cloud Download" option, which allows you lot to reset a computer with a clean installation, removing apps, files, and settings similar to the local prototype choice. The simply difference is that the feature will download the installation files from the Microsoft server.

The option is bachelor to reinstall Windows 11 when the local image is non working, or you do non want to utilize the same installation settings provided by the manufacturer. If you select the "Deject download" option, the characteristic will download the aforementioned version already installed on the computer, which means you cannot utilize this method to upgrade to a newer version. Also, if the device was using a custom image from the manufacturer, the new installation won't include the custom settings, drivers, or tools.

To reinstall Windows 11 with the "Deject Download" option, use these steps:

Open Settings on Windows 11.
Click on Arrangement.
Click on Recovery on the right side.

Windows 11 recovery
Nether the "Recovery options" section, in the "Reset this PC" setting, click the Reset PC button.

Reset This PC
Click the Remove everything option to perform a fresh install of Windows 11.

Hard drive wipe out selection
Click the Cloud reinstall option.

Cloud download reinstall option
(Optional) Click the Change settings selection.

Change reset settings
Configure the reinstallation options:
- Clean data: If this selection is set up to No (recommended), and so the setup will merely delete files, apps, and settings chop-chop. If the option is set up to Yes, the setup will securely clean the drive earlier installing the operating arrangement, merely information technology volition take longer.
- Delete files from all drives: If the option is to No (recommended), only the installation drive volition be erased. Otherwise, if this pick is set to Yeah, all the drives on the device will be deleted.
- Download Windows: If this option is prepare to Yep (recommended), the "Cloud download" option will be used for installation. If the choice is ready to No, the local image option will be used for the installation.
Click the Confirm push button.

Windows eleven download option
Click the Next button.
Click the Reset push.

Windows 11 clean install with Local reinstall choice
Select your region setting later on the installation on the start page of the out-of-the-box feel (OOBE).

Windows 11 OOBE region
Click the Yep push.
Select your keyboard layout setting.

Keyboard layout
Click the Yep button.
Click the Skip push if you lot exercise not need to configure a second layout.
If the computer uses an Ethernet connectedness, it will automatically connect to the network. If you have a wireless connectedness, you will demand to gear up up the connection manually (a security key may exist required).
(Optional) Confirm a name for the figurer.
Click the Adjacent push button. (The device will restart automatically.)
Select the Set upward for personal use pick if you are setting Windows 11 Pro. The "Habitation" edition does not have this selection.

Windows 11 setup types
Click the Adjacent button.
Ostend your Microsoft account email, phone number, or Skype identification to create an business relationship.

Create Windows xi account
Click the Next button.
Ostend your Microsoft account password.
Click the Next button.
Click the Create Pin button.

Windows xi OOBE create PIN
Create a new four-digit PIN.

Create business relationship PIN
Click the OK button.
Select the Ready as new device option. Or select to restore your settings from a previous installation.

Windows 11 OOBE restore settings
Click the Next push.
Confirm your privacy settings that best suit your situation by turning on or off the toggle switch for each setting.

Windows 11 OOBE privacy settings
Click the Adjacent button.
Click the Next push button again.
Click theAccept button.

Privacy settings continued
(Optional) On the "Let's customize your experience" page, select one or more than ways you programme to use the device to allow the setup to advise tools and services customization during this experience.

Windows 11 OOBE customize feel
Click the Accept button to go along. Or click the Skip push to skip this part of the setup.
Select the Back upward my files with OneDrive option to automatically upload your Desktop, Pictures, and Documents folders to the deject. Or Select the Just relieve file to this PC option.

Windows xi OOBE backup files to OneDrive
Click the Adjacent push button.
Click the No, thanks button to skip the Microsoft 365 setup.

Skip Role installation

Subsequently you complete the steps, the feature will reset the computer by erasing and reinstalling a fresh re-create of Windows 11 downloaded from the deject.

How to clean install Windows eleven from Advanced startup options

If the figurer does not kick, the Advanced startup options environs includes the same options available with the "Reset this PC" feature.

You lot tin can only use this option to reinstall the aforementioned version of the OS already installed on the computer. If you want to upgrade to the latest version, you lot will need to use the USB flash drive, Media Creation Tool, or ISO file options.

To clean install Windows eleven from the Avant-garde startup options, employ these steps:

Start device.
Immediately later the Power-On Self-Test (Mail service), press the Ability button again to shut down.
Repeat steps No. 1 and 2 twice, and in the third restart, the operating system should enter the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE).

Quick annotation: Windows 11 has multiple ways to open the Advanced startup settings. If y'all cannot access the recovery environment, y'all can use these other options.
Click the Avant-garde options button.

Avant-garde startup
Click on Troubleshoot.

Troubleshoot pick
Click on Reset this PC option.

Reset this PC option
Select the Remove everything option.

Remove everything option
Click the Deject download or Local reinstall selection. Cloud download: Downloads a fresh image from the Microsoft servers and performs a fresh installation. Local reinstall: Uses the locally bachelor prototype to install a clean copy of Windows 11.

Advanced startup cloud download option
Select the But the drive where Windows is installed selection. (The All drives option volition delete the data on all drives. This option is usually recommended only when you have to decommission the device.)

Delete drive data option
Select the But remove my files or Full clean the bulldoze choice.
- Just remove my files: Deletes the bulldoze contents quickly.
- Full clean the drive: Also deletes everything on the drive, but performing a secure-erase that takes several hours—this choice suited when preparing to give away the device.
But remove files option
Click the Reset button.

Windows 11 clean install with the avant-garde startup pick
Select your region setting afterwards the installation on the first page of the out-of-the-box feel (OOBE).

Windows 11 OOBE region
Click the Yes button.
Select your keyboard layout setting.

Keyboard layout
Click the Yes button.
Click the Skip push if you do non need to configure a second layout.
If the computer uses an Ethernet connexion, information technology will automatically connect to the network. If y'all have a wireless connection, y'all will need to set up the connection manually (a security key may be required).
(Optional) Confirm a name for the computer.
Click the Next push. (The device will restart automatically.)
Select the Gear up for personal use selection if you are setting Windows 11 Pro. The "Dwelling" edition does not have this option.

Windows 11 setup types
Click the Next push.
Ostend your Microsoft account electronic mail, phone number, or Skype identification to create an account.

Create Windows 11 account
Click the Next push.
Confirm your Microsoft account password.
Click the Next button.
Click the Create Pivot button.

Windows xi OOBE create PIN
Create a new four-digit PIN.

Create account PIN
Click the OK button.
Select the Set up as new device option. Or select to restore your settings from a previous installation.

Windows 11 OOBE restore settings
Click the Next button.
Ostend your privacy settings that best arrange your state of affairs past turning on or off the toggle switch for each setting.

Windows 11 OOBE privacy settings
Click the Next push.
Click the Next button again.
Click theAccept push button.

Privacy settings continued
(Optional) On the "Allow's customize your experience" page, select one or more ways you plan to use the device to allow the setup to suggest tools and services customization during this experience.

Windows xi OOBE customize experience
Click the Accept push to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.
Select the Back up my files with OneDrive option to automatically upload your Desktop, Pictures, and Documents folders to the deject. Or Select the Only salvage file to this PC option.

Windows eleven OOBE backup files to OneDrive
Click the Next button.
Click the No, cheers button to skip the Microsoft 365 setup.

Skip Office installation

Once you complete the steps, Windows 11 will reinstall, resolving the existing issues that may be causing kickoff. The completion time will depend on your computer hardware configuration and the reset configuration you selected.

How to clean install Windows 11 using Media Creation Tool

Starting with the release of Windows 11, the Media Creation Tool no longer includes an option to perform a clean installation or in-place upgrade. You can merely utilize the tool to create a bootable media to perform an installation using a USB flash drive or ISO file.

If you lot want to keep with the Media Creation Tool, y'all tin can utilize it to create an installation media, and and so you lot can launch the setup from the USB flash drive.

To use the Media Cosmos Tool to create a bootable USB install media and proceed with the setup, use these steps:

Open Microsoft support website.
Under the "Create Windows 11 installation media" section, click the Download Now button.
Double-click the MediaCrationToolW11.exe file to launch the tool.
Click the Accept button.
Click the Next button.

Quick note: If you are creating a Windows 11 USB for another device, you can likewise clear the "Use the recommended options for this PC" selection to select the correct language, architecture, and edition.
Select theUSB flash drive pick.
Click the Side by side push.
Select the USB wink drive from the list, simply brand sure that information technology does non have whatever important files as this process will erase everything on it.
Click the Next button.
Click the Stop button.
Open the installation media with File Explorer.
Double-click the Setup file to begin the Windows eleven installation.

Windows eleven setup.exe
(Optional) Click the Change how Windows Setup downloads updates selection.

Windows xi setup update options
Select the Non correct now choice.

Disable updates during installation
Click the Next button.
Click the Accept button to agree to the terms.
Click the Change what to continue pick.

Media Creation Tool settings
Select the Nil option.

Nothing selection
Click the Next button.
Click the Install button.

Windows 11 ISO clean install setup
Select your region setting later the installation on the first page of the out-of-the-box feel (OOBE).

Windows xi OOBE region
Click the Yeah button.
Select your keyboard layout setting.

Keyboard layout
Click the Yes push button.
Click the Skip button if yous practice not need to configure a second layout.
If the computer uses an Ethernet connection, it volition automatically connect to the network. If y'all have a wireless connection, you will demand to fix the connection manually (a security key may be required).
(Optional) Ostend a name for the figurer.
Click the Adjacent button. (The device volition restart automatically.)
Select the Set up for personal use option if you are setting Windows 11 Pro. The "Home" edition does non have this option.

Windows xi setup types
Click the Next button.
Confirm your Microsoft account email, phone number, or Skype identification to create an account.

Create Windows 11 account
Click the Adjacent button.
Confirm your Microsoft account password.
Click the Next button.
Click the Create PIN push button.

Windows eleven OOBE create Pivot
Create a new iv-digit PIN.

Create business relationship Pin
Click the OK button.
Select the Set upward as new device option. Or select to restore your settings from a previous installation.

Windows xi OOBE restore settings
Click the Next button.
Confirm your privacy settings that best suit your situation by turning on or off the toggle switch for each setting.

Windows xi OOBE privacy settings
Click the Next push button.
Click the Adjacent push button once more.
Click theHave button.

Privacy settings continued
(Optional) On the "Allow'due south customize your feel" page, select ane or more than ways you plan to use the device to allow the setup to advise tools and services customization during this feel.

Windows 11 OOBE customize feel
Click the Accept button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this function of the setup.
Select the Back up my files with OneDrive choice to automatically upload your Desktop, Pictures, and Documents folders to the cloud. Or Select the Only save file to this PC option.

Windows 11 OOBE fill-in files to OneDrive
Click the Next button.
Click the No, thanks button to skip the Microsoft 365 setup.

Skip Office installation

After you consummate the steps, the setup will continue with the fresh installation of Windows eleven.

January 4, 2022 update: The guide was initially published in Baronial 2022, and it's been updated in January 2022 to make certain all the steps are still authentic.