How to install Windows 11 on a new PC with no Operating System

A new PC without an operating system cannot boot, launch setup tools, or detect any installation media on its own. It presents a blank state, no BIOS guidance, no built-in recovery, no interface.

To install Windows 11 successfully, you’ll need a second device to prepare a USB installer and confirm the system meets Windows hardware requirements.

That includes Secure Boot support, TPM 2.0 firmware, and a UEFI-compatible motherboard. Besides, you’ll interact with low-level settings like boot priority and disk partition modes.

If you’re setting up a custom-built desktop or wiping a factory laptop, this guide outlines every step required to bring Windows 11 online from scratch.

Minimum Requirements for Windows 11 Installation

To install Windows 11 on a machine without an operating system, the hardware must meet Microsoft’s baseline standards. These include:

A 1 GHz or faster processor with at least two cores on a 64-bit architecture
4 GB RAM minimum
64 GB or larger storage device
UEFI firmware with Secure Boot enabled
TPM version 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module)
A DirectX 12-compatible GPU with WDDM 2.0 driver
A 720p display larger than 9 inches
Internet connection and Microsoft account for Home edition setup

Most new motherboards manufactured after 2018 already support these features. However, you’ll need to confirm that Secure Boot and TPM are both enabled in your system firmware.

If you're unsure whether your motherboard meets these conditions, check the specifications on the manufacturer’s website before beginning.

Tools You’ll Need

A working second PC or laptop
You’ll use this device to download installation files and prepare the bootable USB. Any modern system with internet access is sufficient.
A blank USB flash drive (8 GB or larger)
This will hold the Windows 11 installation files. It must be empty, as the setup process will erase its contents.
Windows 11 installation media
Download via Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool or obtain the ISO file directly from the Windows 11 download page.
Internet access
Required to retrieve drivers, verify product keys, and complete system setup, especially for Windows 11 Home editions.
A valid Windows 10 or Windows 11 product key
This activates your installation during or after setup. Retail keys, OEM keys, and digital licenses all work with clean installs.
A keyboard and monitor connected to the new PC
Essential for navigating BIOS and interacting with the installer. Laptops already include these.
Access to BIOS or UEFI firmware settings
Needed to change the boot sequence and confirm system compatibility with Windows 11 installation requirements.

Preparing these elements in advance allows the process to proceed without interruption. If you pause mid-setup to locate missing tools, the USB session may expire, or the hardware state may shift.

Create a Bootable Windows 11 USB Drive

Option 1: Using the Microsoft Media Creation Tool

Connect your USB flash drive to the working PC
It must be at least 8 GB. Any content on the drive will be erased during formatting.
Visit Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page
Navigate to https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11 from your browser.
Download the Media Creation Tool
Select Create Windows 11 Installation Media and download the tool directly from the Microsoft site.
Run the Media Creation Tool as administrator
Accept license terms, then follow the prompts. Select the USB flash drive when asked where to create the installer.
Choose your USB drive from the list
Double-check that you’ve selected the correct drive. The tool will automatically reformat and configure the installer.
Let the tool download and write Windows 11 to the USB
The process may take 15 to 30 minutes, depending on internet speed and USB write rate.
Once complete, safely eject the USB drive
It is now ready for use as a Windows 11 boot installer on the target machine.

Alternative Method: Using Rufus with a Windows 11 ISO File

If you downloaded the ISO file instead of using the Media Creation Tool, use Rufus to write it manually.

Download Rufus from https://rufus.ie.
Insert the USB flash drive and launch Rufus.
Under Boot selection, choose the Windows 11 ISO file.
Set Partition scheme to GPT and Target system to UEFI (non-CSM).
Leave the File system as FAT32, and click Start.

Set the New PC to Boot From USB

Accessing BIOS or UEFI Settings

Turn on the PC and immediately press the setup key
Standard keys include DEL, F2, ESC, or F10, depending on the motherboard brand. Press repeatedly right after powering on.
If unsure of the key, check the motherboard manual
Most manufacturers briefly display the correct key on the splash screen. It’s easy to miss (and annoying when you do).
Navigate to the boot or startup configuration tab
Look for terms like Boot Order, Boot Priority, or Boot Options in the UEFI or BIOS menu.

Changing the Boot Device Priority

Move the USB drive to the top of the boot priority list
Use the on-screen instructions to promote the USB device above the hard disk or SSD.
Ensure the system is in UEFI mode
Locate the Boot Mode setting. Select UEFI rather than Legacy/CSM. Windows 11 requires UEFI firmware to install correctly.
Confirm that Secure Boot is enabled
Still in BIOS, navigate to the Security tab or equivalent. Set Secure Boot to Enabled. Most systems ship with this active by default.
Save changes and exit
Use the Save & Exit command, or press F10 to apply changes. The system will reboot and launch the Windows installer from the USB drive.

Installing Windows 11: Step-by-Step Process

Wait for the Windows Setup to Load
After booting from USB, the Windows logo appears. The setup files will load automatically into memory before the installation interface appears.
Choose language, time, and keyboard format
Default options are usually acceptable. However, if you need a different keyboard layout (like UK English), adjust it here before proceeding.
Click “Install Now” to begin the process
The installer will launch the Windows deployment sequence and prompt you to enter a license key.
Enter your Windows 11 product key or skip activation
If you have a key, type it now. Alternatively, click I don’t have a product key to activate later using a digital license.
Select the correct edition of Windows 11
Choose the version that matches your license (Home, Pro, Education). Installing the wrong one will block activation.
Accept the license terms
Review the Microsoft Software License Terms and check the box to continue. Click Next.
Choose “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).”
This is a clean install. It lets you manually select where Windows should be installed. Do not choose the upgrade option.
Delete existing partitions if listed, then select unallocated space
If the disk has prior partitions, delete them one by one. Select the unallocated space and click Next. This ensures a clean boot sector.
Let Windows copy and install system files
This stage is automated. It may take 10–20 minutes, depending on storage speed. The system will reboot once or twice during setup.
Follow the out-of-box experience (OOBE) wizard
After installation, Windows will guide you through naming the device, connecting to a network, and signing in with a Microsoft account.
Complete device setup and enter the desktop environment
Final updates and driver detection may occur in the background. After a few minutes, the Windows 11 desktop will load and become usable.

Post-Installation Setup

Connect to the Internet
Use Wi-Fi or Ethernet to establish a stable connection. Windows 11 relies on online verification to complete activation and fetch essential updates.
Run Windows Update immediately.
Navigate to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. Install everything available. This ensures compatibility and loads security patches released after the ISO version was released.
Check for missing drivers.
Open Device Manager. If you see yellow warning icons, the system is missing required drivers. Right-click and select Update driver to search automatically.
Install motherboard and chipset drivers.
Visit your hardware manufacturer’s website. Download and install chipset, audio, and LAN drivers manually especially for custom-built PCs.
Activate your copy of Windows.
Go to Settings > System > Activation. If your system included an OEM key, activation occurs automatically. If not, enter your license key manually.
Adjust privacy and diagnostic settings.
Open Settings > Privacy & Security to manage telemetry, app access, and advertising ID options. This step often gets skipped (but shouldn’t be).
Link your Microsoft account.
Use your Microsoft ID to sync preferences and enable features like OneDrive, BitLocker, and license transfer in future system migrations.

Common Issues and Fixes

PC does not boot from USB drive
Re-enter BIOS and confirm USB is at the top of the boot priority list. In addition, make sure the drive was formatted using GPT and FAT32.
TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot error during installation
Enter BIOS and enable both settings under Security and Boot menus. Most motherboards ship with them off by default.
“Windows cannot be installed to this disk” error
This occurs if the disk is not formatted as GPT. Use Shift+F10 in setup, then run diskpart to convert the disk.
Error code 0x80300001 during partition selection
Remove all drives except the target drive before installation. Conflicting storage controllers often cause this error.
System reboots into BIOS repeatedly after install
You probably left the USB drive plugged in. Remove it after the first reboot, then allow the PC to boot from internal storage.
Black screen after setup completes
Connect an external display or check GPU seating if building a custom PC. In some cases, Windows defaults to an unsupported resolution.
Windows remains unactivated after setup
Visit Settings > System > Activation. Enter your key manually or troubleshoot license recognition using the digital license assistant.