A clean install of Windows 11 is the best option when a system is very slow, full of viruses, or has accumulated too many errors. A clean install leaves Windows exactly as it was on day one.
Before you start: back up, no exceptions
A clean install wipes the entire drive. Before you begin, copy everything you want to keep — documents, photos, videos, desktop files, browser bookmarks and important program settings — to an external drive or USB stick.
Hardware requirements for Windows 11
- 64-bit processor at 1 GHz or faster, with at least 2 cores
- 4 GB RAM minimum (we recommend 8 GB)
- 64 GB storage minimum
- UEFI firmware with Secure Boot
- TPM 2.0 module
- DirectX 12-compatible graphics
If your computer doesn't meet these requirements, we can advise on other options.
Steps to install Windows 11 from scratch
Step 1: Download the media creation tool
Go to Microsoft's official site and download the Windows 11 "Media Creation Tool." It's free and legitimate.
Step 2: Create a bootable USB
Plug in a USB stick of at least 8 GB (its contents will be wiped) and use the tool to create the installation drive. This takes about 20-30 minutes.
Step 3: Boot from the USB
Restart the computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI (usually by pressing F2, F12 or Delete at startup). Change the boot order so the USB boots first.
Step 4: Clean install
Choose "Custom install" to wipe the previous installation. Select the partition to install Windows on (usually drive C:) and follow the prompts.
Step 5: Initial setup and drivers
After installation, Windows Update will download basic drivers automatically. For the graphics card, it's best to install the manufacturer's drivers manually for full performance.
Prefer to leave it to us?
We install Windows 11 with all the correct drivers, configured and ready to use. Check out our Windows installation service.