Reinstalling Windows 11: create a USB stick and set up from scratch

If you want to reinstall Windows 11, you have two options: reset the PC directly from within Windows or set up the system completely from scratch using a USB stick. In this guide, you will learn when each method makes sense, how to create a bootable USB stick with the Media Creation Tool and how installation, setup and activation work step by step.

Key points at a glance

• “Reset this PC” is often sufficient and does not require a USB stick. A clean installation from a USB stick, on the other hand, removes everything, including partitions and manufacturer software.
• You create the installation stick with Microsoft's Media Creation Tool. You need a USB stick with at least 8 GB.
• Back up your data, your product key and, if applicable, your BitLocker recovery key beforehand.
• Install the edition that matches your licence: Home or Pro.

Reset or reinstall completely?

Reset this PC

Open Settings → System → Recovery and, next to “Reset this PC”, click “Reset PC”. Choose “Keep my files” or “Remove everything”, followed by “Cloud download” or “Local reinstall”. Cloud download fetches a fresh copy of Windows from Microsoft and is the better choice if system files are damaged.

When resetting, the partitioning is retained, and on pre-installed devices manufacturer software may return. If you want a truly clean installation or want to put Windows on a new SSD, use the USB stick.

Preparation: what you should do beforehand

• Check compatibility: The same requirements apply to a clean installation as to any Windows 11 installation. You can find details in our guide to the Windows 11 system requirements. If your PC does not meet the requirements, use our guide Reinstalling Windows 10.
• Back up your data: Copy documents, pictures, browser bookmarks and email archives to an external drive or to cloud storage.
• Clarify your licence: Note down your product key or check whether a digital licence is present. Our article Finding your Windows product key shows how to find a stored key.
• Back up your BitLocker key: If a drive is encrypted, save the recovery key. Many devices store it automatically in your Microsoft account.
• Note down programs and login details: After the clean installation, you will need to set up all programs again.
• Have a USB stick ready: At least 8 GB. All data on it will be deleted.

Creating a bootable USB stick with the Media Creation Tool

1. Go to the official Windows 11 download page and, under “Create Windows 11 Installation Media”, download the Media Creation Tool.
2. Start the tool and accept the licence terms.
3. Select the language and edition. The tick next to the recommended options applies the settings of the current PC. Remove it if you need a different language.
4. Select “USB flash drive” as the media and then choose the correct stick from the list.
5. The tool downloads Windows 11 and makes the stick bootable. Depending on your internet connection, this may take a while.

Alternatively, the same page offers an ISO file for x64 devices. It is suitable, for example, for virtual machines or if you want to create the stick later. The installation media contains several editions. Which one is installed depends on the product key or your selection in setup.

Booting from the USB stick

Insert the stick and restart the PC. Straight after switching on, repeatedly press the key for the boot menu and select the USB stick there. This is often F12, F11, F8 or Esc. Which key your device uses is stated in the manual or briefly shown at start-up.

You can also do this from a running Windows system: Settings → System → Recovery → “Advanced startup” → “Restart now”, then select “Use a device”. If the stick does not boot, check in the UEFI that UEFI mode is active and booting from USB is permitted.

Reinstalling Windows 11 step by step

1. Select the language, time and currency format and the keyboard layout.
2. Choose the option to install Windows 11 and confirm that files, apps and settings will be deleted during a clean installation.
3. Enter your product key. If you have a digital licence or want to enter it later, select “I don't have a product key”.
4. Without a key, setup asks for the edition. Select exactly the edition your licence covers. You can read more about choosing in our comparison Windows 11 Home or Pro.
5. Accept the licence terms.
6. Select the installation location. For a clean installation, delete all partitions on the system drive, select the unallocated space and click “Next”. Windows creates the necessary partitions itself.
7. Start the installation. The PC will restart several times. Remove the USB stick as soon as setup begins so that it does not boot from the stick again.

When deleting partitions, make sure you only work on the correct drive. If several drives are installed, you can identify the system drive by its number and size. If in doubt, disconnect additional data drives beforehand.

Setup after installation

After the first start, Windows guides you through the initial setup: region, keyboard, device name, network and account. For Windows 11 Home, and for Pro for personal use, Microsoft requires an internet connection and a Microsoft account. So have your Wi-Fi password ready or connect a network cable.

Then complete the usual tasks:

1. Install all updates under Settings → Windows Update, including the optional driver updates.
2. Download any missing drivers, for example for graphics or chipset, from the device manufacturer's website.
3. Reinstall your programs and restore your backed-up files.
4. Check your privacy settings and device encryption or BitLocker.

Activating Windows 11

If you entered the product key during setup or the device has a digital licence, Windows activates automatically as soon as it is online. You can see the status under Settings → System → Activation. There, you can also enter a key afterwards via “Change product key”. Our guide Activating Windows explains other methods, commands and error codes.

If you are installing Windows 11 on a new or self-built PC without an existing licence, you need a product key for the matching edition. We deliver the key by email, including instructions for installation and activation.