Clean install Windows 11 – supported methods

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On Windows 11, 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. Usually, this is the recommended approach to upgrade to the latest version of Windows 11 on compatible hardware to prevent installation issues and fix existing problems.

For instance, if the device had the same setup for a long time, a clean install of Windows 11 can help resolve performance issues, problems shutting down, booting up, memory, and apps. Also, this type of installation is the best method to upgrade from an older version, such as Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. Furthermore, you can use this option to delete annoying bloatware that came preloaded with the default setup.

Microsoft supports multiple ways to clean install Windows 11, including using a USB flash drive to set up the OS on an SSD (Solid-State Drive). You can use the Media Creation Tool to start from scratch on a computer already running Windows 11. It’s also possible to use the “Reset this PC” feature to quickly wipe out the hard drive and reinstall the system without the need for additional tools. Or, if the device does not start, you can use the Advanced startup options or mount the ISO file to File Explorer to start a clean install.

In this guide, you will learn six different ways to perform a clean installation of Windows 11 on your computer.

Important: This process will delete everything on your device. It’s recommended to make a full backup of your computer before proceeding. You’ve been warned. Also, these instructions are meant to help you install Windows 11 when it’s officially available, not before.

Clean install Windows 11 from USB

Using a USB flash drive is the most straightforward method to perform a clean install of Windows 11. You can create a bootable media using the Media Creation Tool (not yet available), Command Prompt, Rufus, or any other third-party tool. 

If you choose this method, you also have to make sure the device can start from USB, which means you will have 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 support website for more specific details.

To perform a clean install of Windows 11 from USB, use these steps:

1. Start the PC with the Windows 11 USB flash drive.

2. Press any key to continue.

3. Click the Next button.

   

   Windows 11 Setup

4. Click the Install now button.

   

   Windows 11 install option

5. Click the I don’t have a product key option if you are doing a reinstallation. If Windows 11 was already activated after the installation, reactivation would happen automatically.

   

   Skip license key option

6. Select the edition of “Windows 11” that your license key activates (if applicable).

7. Check the I accept the license terms option.

8. Click the Next button.

9. Select the Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) option.

   

   Windows 11 custom install option

10. Select each partition in the hard drive you want to install Windows 11 and click the Delete button. (Usually, the “Drive 0” is the drive that contains all the installation files.)

    

    Delete partitions Windows 11 setup

    Warning: When you delete a partition, it also deletes all data on the drive. Also, it is not required to delete the partitions from a secondary hard drive.

11. Select the hard drive (Drive 0 Unallocated Space) to install Windows 11.

    

    Clean install Windows 11 on unallocated space

12. Click the Next button.

13. Select your region setting after the installation on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).

    

    Windows 11 OOBE region

14. Click the Yes button.

15. Select your keyboard layout setting.

    

    Keyboard layout

16. Click the Yes button.

17. Click the Skip button if you do not need to configure a second layout.

18. If the computer is using an Ethernet connection, it will connect to the network automatically. If you have a wireless connection, you will need to set up the connection manually (a security key may be required).

19. Select the Set up for personal use option if you are setting Windows 11 Pro. The “Home” edition does not have this option.

    

    Windows 11 setup types

20. Click the Next button.

21. Confirm your Microsoft account email, phone number, or Skype identification to create an account.

    

    Create Windows 11 account

22. Click the Next button.

23. Confirm your Microsoft account password.

24. Click the Next button.

25. Click the Create PIN button.

    

    Windows 11 OOBE create PIN

26. Create a new four-digit PIN.

    

    Create account PIN

27. Click the OK button.

28. Select the Set up as new device option. Or select to restore your settings from a previous installation.

    

    Windows 11 OOBE restore settings

29. Click the Next button.

30. 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

31. Click the Next button.

32. Click the Next button again.

33. Click the Accept button.

    

    Privacy settings continued

34. (Optional) On the “Customize your device” 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 11 OOBE customize experience options

35. Click the Accept button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.

36. Select the Back up my files with OneDrive 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 backup files to OneDrive

37. Click the Next button.

38. Click the No, thanks button to skip the Microsoft 365 setup.

    

    Skip Office installation

Once you complete the steps, Windows 11 will install on the computer.

Clean install Windows 11 using Media Creation Tool

You can also perform a clean installation using the Media Creation Tool using the option to keep nothing. This option is available for devices already using Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 7, and it offers an option to roll back to the previous installation.

To clean install Windows 11 with the Media Creation Tool, use these steps:

1. Open Microsoft support website (not yet available).

2. Under the “Create Windows 11 installation media” section, click the Download tool now button.

3. Save the installer to the device.

4. Double-click the MediaCreationToolXXXX.exe file to launch the tool.

5. Click the Accept button.

6. Select the Upgrade this PC now option.

   

   Media Creation Tool

7. Click the Accept button again.

8. Click the Change what to keep option.

   

   Media Creation Tools settings

9. Select the Nothing option.

   

   Nothing option

10. Click the Next button.

11. Click the Install button.

    

    Media Creation Tool clean install

12. Select your region setting after the installation on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).

    

    Windows 11 OOBE region

13. Click the Yes button.

14. Select your keyboard layout setting.

    

    Keyboard layout

15. Click the Yes button.

16. Click the Skip button if you do not need to configure a second layout.

17. If the computer is using an Ethernet connection, it will connect to the network automatically. If you have a wireless connection, you will need to set up the connection manually (a security key may be required).

18. Select the Set up for personal use option if you are setting Windows 11 Pro. The “Home” edition does not have this option.

    

    Windows 11 setup types

19. Click the Next button.

20. Confirm your Microsoft account email, phone number, or Skype identification to create an account.

    

    Create Windows 11 account

21. Click the Next button.

22. Confirm your Microsoft account password.

23. Click the Next button.

24. Click the Create PIN button.

    

    Windows 11 OOBE create PIN

25. Create a new four-digit PIN.

    

    Create account PIN

26. Click the OK button.

27. Select the Set up as new device option. Or select to restore your settings from a previous installation.

    

    Windows 11 OOBE restore settings

28. Click the Next button.

29. 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

30. Click the Next button.

31. Click the Next button again.

32. Click the Accept button.

    

    Privacy settings continued

33. (Optional) On the “Customize your device” 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 11 OOBE customize experience options

34. Click the Accept button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.

35. Select the Back up my files with OneDrive 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 backup files to OneDrive

36. Click the Next button.

37. Click the No, thanks button to skip the Microsoft 365 setup.

    

    Skip Office installation

After you complete the steps, the setup will continue with the fresh installation of Windows 11.

Clean install Windows 11 using Reset this PC local image

The recovery settings offer another method to start fresh with a clean copy of Windows 11. Unlike the Media Creation Tool, bootable flash drive, and ISO file options, you can only use this method to reinstall Windows 11 on a computer already running the same OS.

If you plan to upgrade a computer running Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 7, you will have to use one of the previous alternative methods.

To clean install Windows 11 with the local recovery image, use these steps:

1. Open Settings on Windows 11.

2. Click on System.

3. Click on Recovery on the right side.

   

   Windows 11 recovery

4. Under the “Recovery options” section, in the “Reset this PC” setting, click the Reset PC button.

   

   Reset This PC

5. Click the Remove everything option to perform a fresh install of Windows 11.

   

   Hard drive wipe out option

6. Click the Local reinstall option.

   

   Local reinstall option

7. (Optional) Click the Change settings option. 

   

   Change reset settings

8. Configure the reinstallation options:

   • Clean data: If this option is set to No (recommended), then the setup will only delete files, apps, and settings quickly. If the option is set to Yes, the setup will securely clean the drive before installing the operating system, but it will take longer.
   • Delete files from all drives: If the option is set to No (recommended), only the installation drive will be erased. Otherwise, if this option is set to Yes, all the drives on the device will be deleted.
   • Download Windows: If this option is set to No (recommended), the local image will be used for installation. If the option is set to Yes, then the “Cloud download” option will be activated.

9. Click the Confirm button.

   

   Choose reset settings

10. Click the Next button.

11. Click the Reset button.

    

    Windows 11 clean install with Local reinstall option

12. Select your region setting after the installation on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).

    

    Windows 11 OOBE region

13. Click the Yes button.

14. Select your keyboard layout setting.

    

    Keyboard layout

15. Click the Yes button.

16. Click the Skip button if you do not need to configure a second layout.

17. If the computer is using an Ethernet connection, it will connect to the network automatically. If you have a wireless connection, you will need to set up the connection manually (a security key may be required).

18. Select the Set up for personal use option if you are setting Windows 11 Pro. The “Home” edition does not have this option.

    

    Windows 11 setup types

19. Click the Next button.

20. Confirm your Microsoft account email, phone number, or Skype identification to create an account.

    

    Create Windows 11 account

21. Click the Next button.

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22. Confirm your Microsoft account password.

23. Click the Next button.

24. Click the Create PIN button.

    

    Windows 11 OOBE create PIN

25. Create a new four-digit PIN.

    

    Create account PIN

26. Click the OK button.

27. Select the Set up as new device option. Or select to restore your settings from a previous installation.

    

    Windows 11 OOBE restore settings

28. Click the Next button.

29. 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

30. Click the Next button.

31. Click the Next button again.

32. Click the Accept button.

    

    Privacy settings continued

33. (Optional) On the “Customize your device” 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 11 OOBE customize experience

34. Click the Accept button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.

35. Select the Back up my files with OneDrive 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 backup files to OneDrive

36. Click the Next button.

37. Click the No, thanks button to skip the Microsoft 365 setup.

    

    Skip Office installation

Once you complete the steps, the recovery feature will continue with the reinstallation using the locally available image of Windows 11. If you have a computer from HP, Dell, Acer, or another brand, this process will restore the original settings. This means the factory settings, drivers, applications, and tools the manufacturer included in the custom image.

If you don’t want to reinstall the custom manufacturer image, use the “Cloud Download” option (see steps below).

Clean install Windows 11 using Reset this PC Cloud download

The Reset this PC feature also includes the “Cloud Download” option, which allows you to reset a computer with a clean installation, removing apps, files, and settings similar to the local image option. The only difference is that the feature will download the installation files from the Microsoft server.

The option is available to reinstall Windows 11 when the local image is not working, or you do not want to use the same installation settings provided by the manufacturer. If you select the “Cloud download” option, the feature will download the same version already installed on the computer, which means you cannot use 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 “Cloud Download” option, use these steps:

1. Open Settings on Windows 11.

2. Click on System.

3. Click on Recovery on the right side.

   

   Windows 11 recovery

4. Under the “Recovery options” section, in the “Reset this PC” setting, click the Reset PC button.

   

   Reset This PC

5. Click the Remove everything option to perform a fresh install of Windows 11.

   

   Hard drive wipe out option

6. Click the Cloud reinstall option.

   

   Cloud download reinstall option

7. (Optional) Click the Change settings option. 

   

   Change reset settings

8. Configure the reinstallation options:

   • Clean data: If this option is set to No (recommended), then the setup will only delete files, apps, and settings quickly. If the option is set to Yes, the setup will securely clean the drive before installing the operating system, but it will take longer.
   • Delete files from all drives: If the option is to No (recommended), only the installation drive will be erased. Otherwise, if this option is set to Yes, all the drives on the device will be deleted.
   • Download Windows: If this option is set to Yes (recommended), the “Cloud download” option will be used for installation. If the option is set to No, the local image option will be used for the installation.

9. Click the Confirm button.

   

   Windows 11 download option

10. Click the Next button.

11. Click the Reset button.

    

    Windows 11 clean install with Local reinstall option

12. Select your region setting after the installation on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).

    

    Windows 11 OOBE region

13. Click the Yes button.

14. Select your keyboard layout setting.

    

    Keyboard layout

15. Click the Yes button.

16. Click the Skip button if you do not need to configure a second layout.

17. If the computer is using an Ethernet connection, it will connect to the network automatically. If you have a wireless connection, you will need to set up the connection manually (a security key may be required).

18. Select the Set up for personal use option if you are setting Windows 11 Pro. The “Home” edition does not have this option.

    

    Windows 11 setup types

19. Click the Next button.

20. Confirm your Microsoft account email, phone number, or Skype identification to create an account.

    

    Create Windows 11 account

21. Click the Next button.

22. Confirm your Microsoft account password.

23. Click the Next button.

24. Click the Create PIN button.

    

    Windows 11 OOBE create PIN

25. Create a new four-digit PIN.

    

    Create account PIN

26. Click the OK button.

27. Select the Set up as new device option. Or select to restore your settings from a previous installation.

    

    Windows 11 OOBE restore settings

28. Click the Next button.

29. 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

30. Click the Next button.

31. Click the Next button again.

32. Click the Accept button.

    

    Privacy settings continued

33. (Optional) On the “Customize your device” 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 11 OOBE customize experience

34. Click the Accept button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.

35. Select the Back up my files with OneDrive 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 backup files to OneDrive

36. Click the Next button.

37. Click the No, thanks button to skip the Microsoft 365 setup.

    

    Skip Office installation

After you complete the steps, the feature will reset the computer by erasing and reinstalling a fresh copy of Windows 11 downloaded from the cloud.

Clean install Windows 11 from Advanced startup options

If the device does not boot, the Advanced startup options environment includes the same options available with the “Reset this PC” feature.

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

To clean install Windows 11 from the Advanced startup options, use these steps:

1. Start device.

2. Immediately after the Power-On Self-Test (POST), press the Power button again to shut down.

3. Repeat steps No. 1 and 2 twice, and in the third restart, the operating system should enter the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE).

   Quick note: Windows 11 has multiple ways to open the Advanced startup settings. If you cannot access the recovery environment, you can use these other options.

4. Click the Advanced options button.

   

   Advanced startup

5. Click on Troubleshoot.

   

   Troubleshoot option

6. Click on Reset this PC option.

   

   Reset this PC option

7. Select the Remove everything option.

   

   Remove everything option

8. Click the Cloud download or Local reinstall option. Cloud download: Downloads a fresh image from the Microsoft servers and performs a fresh installation. Local reinstall: Uses the locally available image to install a clean copy of Windows 11.

   

   Advanced startup cloud download option

9. Select the Only the drive where Windows is installed option. (The All drives option will delete the data on all drives. This option is usually recommended only when you want to decommission the device.)

   

   Delete drive data option

10. Select the Just remove my files or Full clean the drive option.

    • Just remove my files: Deletes the drive contents quickly.
    • Full clean the drive: Also deletes everything on the drive, but performing a secure-erase that takes several hours—this option suited when preparing to give away the device.

    

    Just remove files option

11. Click the Reset button.

    

    Windows 11 clean install with the advanced startup option

12. Select your region setting after the installation on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).

    

    Windows 11 OOBE region

13. Click the Yes button.

14. Select your keyboard layout setting.

    

    Keyboard layout

15. Click the Yes button.

16. Click the Skip button if you do not need to configure a second layout.

17. If the computer is using an Ethernet connection, it will connect to the network automatically. If you have a wireless connection, you will need to set up the connection manually (a security key may be required).

18. Select the Set up for personal use option if you are setting Windows 11 Pro. The “Home” edition does not have this option.

    

    Windows 11 setup types

19. Click the Next button.

20. Confirm your Microsoft account email, phone number, or Skype identification to create an account.

    

    Create Windows 11 account

21. Click the Next button.

22. Confirm your Microsoft account password.

23. Click the Next button.

24. Click the Create PIN button.

    

    Windows 11 OOBE create PIN

25. Create a new four-digit PIN.

    

    Create account PIN

26. Click the OK button.

27. Select the Set up as new device option. Or select to restore your settings from a previous installation.

    

    Windows 11 OOBE restore settings

28. Click the Next button.

29. 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

30. Click the Next button.

31. Click the Next button again.

32. Click the Accept button.

    

    Privacy settings continued

33. (Optional) On the “Customize your device” 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 11 OOBE customize experience

34. Click the Accept button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.

35. Select the Back up my files with OneDrive 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 backup files to OneDrive

36. Click the Next button.

37. Click the No, thanks button to skip the Microsoft 365 setup.

    

    Skip Office installation

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

Clean install Windows 11 from ISO file

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

To clean install Windows 11 with an ISO file, use these steps:

1. Download the Windows 11 ISO without using the Media Creation Tool (no yet available).

2. Right-click the ISO file, select the Mount option.

   

   File Explorer mount ISO option

3. Select the virtual drive from the left navigation pane.

4. Double-click the Setup file to begin the Windows 11 installation.

   

   Windows 11 setup.exe

5. (Optional) Click the Change how Windows Setup downloads updates option.

   

   Windows 11 setup update options

6. Select the Not right now option.

   

   Disable updates during installation

7. Click the Next button.

8. Click the Accept button to agree to the terms.

9. Click the Change what to keep option.

   

   Media Creation Tool settings

10. Select the Nothing option.

    

    Nothing option

11. Click the Next button.

12. Click the Install button.

    

    Windows 11 ISO clean install setup

13. Select your region setting after the installation on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).

    

    Windows 11 OOBE region

14. Click the Yes button.

15. Select your keyboard layout setting.

    

    Keyboard layout

16. Click the Yes button.

17. Click the Skip button if you do not need to configure a second layout.

18. If the computer is using an Ethernet connection, it will connect to the network automatically. If you have a wireless connection, you will need to set up the connection manually (a security key may be required).

19. Select the Set up for personal use option if you are setting Windows 11 Pro. The “Home” edition does not have this option.

    

    Windows 11 setup types

20. Click the Next button.

21. Confirm your Microsoft account email, phone number, or Skype identification to create an account.

    

    Create Windows 11 account

22. Click the Next button.

23. Confirm your Microsoft account password.

24. Click the Next button.

25. Click the Create PIN button.

    

    Windows 11 OOBE create PIN

26. Create a new four-digit PIN.

    

    Create account PIN

27. Click the OK button.

28. Select the Set up as new device option. Or select to restore your settings from a previous installation.

    

    Windows 11 OOBE restore settings

29. Click the Next button.

30. 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

31. Click the Next button.

32. Click the Next button again.

33. Click the Accept button.

    

    Privacy settings continued

34. (Optional) On the “Customize your device” 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 11 OOBE customize experience

35. Click the Accept button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.

36. Select the Back up my files with OneDrive 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 backup files to OneDrive

37. Click the Next button.

38. Click the No, thanks button to skip the Microsoft 365 setup.

    

    Skip Office installation

Once you complete the steps, the clean installation process will begin, similar to using the Media Creation Tools or USB flash drive to upgrade the system.