How to Install Windows 11 from USB Step by Step
Windows 11 has generated significant buzz among tech enthusiasts, with its sleek interface and user-friendly features. To switch to and download Windows 11, you have two options: join the Windows Insider Preview Build or install Windows 11 from a bootable USB.
To install Windows 11, you can do so from a USB drive in two ways, or by migrating the OS to a new HDD or SSD with simple clicks.
- Important
- To create a bootable drive and install Windows 11 from USB, ensure your computer meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11.
How to Install Windows 11 from USB with Windows Media Creation Tool
The Windows 11 media creation tool provides a straightforward way to upgrade your current Windows version to Windows 11, or create a bootable ISO drive to install Windows 11 on any device from a USB.
Requirements:
- Adequate space on yourcomputer to install the new Windows system
- A blank USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space or a blank DVD and a DVD burner for creating media.
1. Create a Windows 11 Installation Bootable USB
Step 1. Download Windows 11 Media Creation Tool exclusively from Microsoft.
Step 2. Select "Create installation media for another PC" and then select "Next" on the What do you want to do screen.
Step 3. To choose the language, edition, and architecture for Windows 11 on Windows, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Advanced options, and select the desired settings from the dropdown menus. This will allow you to select the language, edition, and architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) for Windows 11.
Step 4. You can use either a USB flash drive or an ISO file to install a Linux operating system. A USB flash drive is a physical device that can be used to boot a Linux installation, while an ISO file is a digital file that can be used to create a bootable USB drive or burn a CD/DVD.
- USB flash drive - Connect a USB drive with at least 8GB of storage to the computer, and the Media Creation Tool will download Windows 11 and automatically burn it to the USB drive.
- ISO file - After downloading the ISO file, you can create a DVD by saving it to your PC and using the Windows Disk Image Burner to burn it onto a disc with simple steps. The ISO file will be saved to your PC, and you can then use it to create a DVD. The process is straightforward and easy to follow.
2. Install Windows 11 from the Bootable USB Drive
Once you have created the bootable USB drive of Windows 11, connect the USB drive to the computer which you want to upgrade to Windows 11.
To install Windows 11, you need to enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 from the BIOS settings.
Step 1. Restart the computer and boot it from USB. Press a key (such as F2, F12, Delete, or Esc) immediately after turning it on to open the boot menu and change the boot order.
Step 2. Complete the Windows 11 installation by following the on-screen wizard, and enter your Windows 11 license key when a pop-up appears for a product key during installation.
How to Install Windows 11 from USB with Qiling Win11Builder
You can download Windows 11 from Microsoft's official website or use Qiling Win11Builder to get the ISO file and create a bootable USB drive, allowing you to install Windows 11 for free.
Step 1. The Windows11 builder is integrated with Qiling OS2Go software. After installation, click the download button and launch the program.
Step 2.WinToGo Creator has been renamed to Windows Install Drive Creator. This tool provides system information on its home screen, which updates in real-time. In addition to supporting Windows 11, it also allows users to download Windows 10 and 8.1.
Step 3. To start, connect your USB flash drive to the computer. The Win11 builder will automatically detect your USB device, and all you need to do is click the "Create" button.
Step 4. The software will erase data from a used USB drive, so make sure to use a blank one. Once you start the download, wait for it to finish or take a break while it completes.
Step 5. After successfully downloading the Windows 11 iso image file to a USB drive, you can proceed to install Windows 11 on your computer by following the installation wizard step by step from the bootable USB drive.
How to Install Windows 11 on SSD/HDD by Migrating OS Without Downloading
If you've installed Windows 11 on an HDD but want to upgrade to a faster SSD or larger HDD, you can use Windows' built-in disk management software to migrate Windows 11 to the new disk without reinstalling the operating system. This process allows you to keep your programs, settings, and files intact, making it a convenient and efficient way to upgrade your system disk.
Qiling Partition Master allows you to easily migrate your OS to an SSD or HDD with just a few clicks.
Key features of Qiling Partition Master:
- Resize/move, merge, clone partition, and check file system error.
- Convert to GPT/MBR, convert to dynamic/basic, and even wipe data.
- Format and wipe data on partiion/disk.
Note: If you're planning to move your operating system to a new SSD or HDD, be aware that this process will erase all data and partitions on the target drive if there's not enough unallocated space. Make sure to back up any important files to an external drive before proceeding.
Step 1.Select "Clone" from the tools page, then choose "System clone" and click "Next" to continue.
Step 2. Select the target disk you want to clone. Click "Next".
Step 3. Be sure to back up your important data before proceeding, as the process will delete data and partitions on the target disk. Click "Yes" to confirm after checking the warning message.
Step 4. Preview the layout of your target disk, and customize it if needed. Click "Start" to initiate the OS migration to the new disk.
After OS migration, you need to enter the BIOS to set the cloned SSD or HDD as the boot drive to start Windows 11 from.
Concluding Words
To install Windows 11 from a USB bootable drive, you can create a Windows installation media or use a specialized tool like Rufus to make a Windows 11 bootable drive, which can then be used to install Windows 11 on your computer.
To migrate Windows 11 to a new SSD or HDD, use Qiling Partition Master to help with the process. This tool enables you to install Windows 11 without needing to download it, and also allows you to manage and utilize your disk to its full potential.
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