Installing Windows 11 on a New PC: Step-by-Step Setup

What you need before you start

Windows 11 installation requires a USB drive with at least 8 GB of storage space, a computer with an internet connection, and a Windows 11 product key or a Microsoft account linked to a Windows 11 license. If your PC is brand new and has no operating system, you will also need access to another working computer to create the installation media.

Check that your new PC meets the minimum hardware requirements: a 1 GHz processor with at least two cores, 4 GB of RAM, and 64 GB of storage space. Most new computers sold today exceed these specs, but older or budget models sometimes fall short. Your PC should also have a USB port available — all modern computers have these, but it is worth confirming before you begin.

Key Takeaways

You need a separate working computer to download Windows 11 installation media onto a USB drive, unless your new PC came with Windows 11 already installed.
The Windows 11 installation process takes 20 to 40 minutes from start to finish, including the initial setup questions after installation completes.
You will need either a Windows 11 product key or a Microsoft account with an existing Windows 11 license to activate the system after installation.
During setup, Windows will ask for your Microsoft account credentials, preferred language, and timezone — have these details ready to avoid delays.
If your new PC came with Windows 11 pre-installed, you only need to complete the initial setup screens, not the full installation process.

Creating Windows 11 installation media on a USB drive

Go to the Microsoft Windows 11 download page on a working computer and select "Download now" under the Windows 11 Installation Media option. This downloads a small tool called the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool, which you will use to prepare your USB drive.

Insert your USB drive into the working computer. Open the Media Creation Tool you just downloaded and select "Accept" when prompted to agree to the license terms. Choose "Create installation media for another PC" and then select "Next." The tool will ask you to confirm the language, edition, and architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) — leave these set to the defaults unless you have a specific reason to change them.

When the tool asks where to save the installation media, select "USB flash drive" and choose your USB drive from the list. The tool will then download Windows 11 files and copy them to your USB drive. This process takes 10 to 20 minutes depending on your internet speed. Do not remove the USB drive until the tool confirms it is finished.

Connecting the USB drive and starting installation

Once the installation media is ready, insert the USB drive into a USB port on your new PC. Power on the new computer and watch for a message on the startup screen that says something like "Press F12 to enter boot menu" or "Press Delete to enter setup." The exact key varies by manufacturer — common options are F2, F12, Delete, or Esc. Press the correct key immediately after powering on, before Windows tries to load.

In the boot menu, look for an option that mentions your USB drive by name or says "USB Device" or "Removable Media." Select it and press Enter. The computer will boot from the USB drive and the Windows 11 installation screen will appear within a few seconds. If the boot menu does not appear, restart the computer and try a different key — if you are unsure which key your PC uses, check the manufacturer's website or the startup screen text.

Walking through the Windows 11 setup screens

The first screen asks you to select your language, time and currency format, and keyboard layout. Choose the options that match your location and preferences, then click "Next." The next screen shows "Install now" — click this button to begin the actual installation process.

Windows will ask you to enter your product key or skip this step if you plan to activate later. If you have a 25-character product key from a Windows 11 package or receipt, enter it now. If you do not have a key yet, click "I don't have a product key" — you can activate Windows later using your Microsoft account or by purchasing a key. Click "Next" to continue.

The next screen asks which version of Windows 11 you want to install — typically "Windows 11" is the only option shown. Select it and click "Next." You will then see the license terms — read them if you wish, check the box to accept them, and click "Next."

Choosing where to install and waiting for completion

Windows will show you a list of storage drives on your computer. On a brand new PC, you will usually see one drive listed. Select it and click "Next." Windows will then begin copying files and installing the operating system. This part of the process takes 10 to 20 minutes and your computer will restart several times — this is normal. Do not turn off the computer or remove the USB drive during this time.

After the files finish copying, your computer will restart and begin the Windows 11 setup process. This is where you configure your personal settings. You will see screens asking for your region, keyboard layout again, and whether you want to connect to a network. Answer these questions based on your preferences and location.

Signing in with your Microsoft account

Windows will ask you to sign in with a Microsoft account or create a local account. A Microsoft account is linked to your email address and lets you sync settings across devices, recover your password online, and use Microsoft services like OneDrive and Microsoft 365. If you have a Microsoft account already, enter the email address and password. If you do not have one, click "Create account" to make one during setup.

If you prefer not to use a Microsoft account, you can create a local account instead by clicking "Offline account" or "I don't have this person's sign-in information." A local account uses only a username and password stored on your computer, with no connection to Microsoft's servers. Either choice works fine — the difference is mainly in cloud features and password recovery options.

After signing in, Windows will ask for a PIN (a 4-digit code) as an additional security layer. You can set one up now or skip this step and add it later in Settings. Windows will then ask about privacy settings — you can accept the defaults or customize them by clicking "Privacy settings for your device."

Finishing setup and removing the USB drive

Windows will spend a few minutes installing drivers and finalizing your system. You will see a "Getting everything ready" message and a progress bar. Once this finishes, you will see the Windows 11 desktop with the taskbar at the bottom. Your installation is now complete.

Remove the USB drive from your computer — you no longer need it. If you plan to install Windows 11 on another computer later, you can keep the USB drive and reuse it. Otherwise, you can format it and use it for regular file storage.

If Windows asks you to activate your system and you do not have a product key, you can activate it later by going to Settings > System > Activation and either entering a key or signing in with the Microsoft account that owns your Windows 11 license. Windows will continue to work normally during this time, though you may see occasional reminders to activate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my new PC came with Windows 11 already installed?

You do not need to follow the installation steps above. Instead, power on your computer and work through the initial setup screens, which ask for your language, region, Microsoft account credentials, and privacy preferences. This setup process takes 10 to 15 minutes and then you are ready to use your PC. The operating system is already installed on the drive.

Can I use a DVD instead of a USB drive to install Windows 11?

Windows 11 installation media is only distributed as a USB drive or downloadable file. You cannot burn it to a DVD. If your new PC does not have a USB port (extremely rare), you can download the Windows 11 ISO file from Microsoft's website and copy it to an external drive, but a USB drive is the standard and fastest method.

What does it mean if I see an error about TPM or Secure Boot during installation?

These are security features that Windows 11 prefers but does not always require. If you see a warning, you can usually click "Next" to continue anyway. If installation stops completely, restart your computer, enter the BIOS or UEFI settings (usually by pressing F2, F10, or Delete during startup), and look for options called "Secure Boot" or "TPM" — enable them if they are disabled. Then restart and try installation again.

How long does Windows 11 installation take from start to finish?

Creating the installation media takes 10 to 20 minutes. The actual installation on your new PC takes another 10 to 20 minutes, and the initial setup screens take 5 to 10 minutes. Total time is usually 25 to 50 minutes, depending on your internet speed and how quickly you answer the setup questions.

Do I need to remove the USB drive before Windows finishes installing?

No — leave the USB drive plugged in until Windows reaches the desktop and you see the taskbar. Once you are on the desktop, you can safely remove it. Removing it during the installation process can cause errors and force you to start over.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.