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

Windows 11 installs during your first PC setup, not after

If you bought a new PC, Windows 11 is almost certainly already installed. When you turn on a brand-new computer for the first time, you will see the Windows 11 setup screen — a series of questions about your language, region, and Microsoft account. You do not need to install anything yourself. Just answer the questions and let the computer finish its setup process, which usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.

The only time you install Windows 11 yourself is if you are building a PC from parts, replacing the operating system on an existing machine, or fixing a corrupted installation. If that is your situation, the process involves creating installation media on a USB drive, booting from that drive, and following the Windows installer. This guide covers both scenarios.

Key Takeaways

New PCs come with Windows 11 pre-installed; you only need to complete the first-time setup by answering questions about language, region, and your Microsoft account.
If you are installing Windows 11 yourself, you need a USB drive with at least 8 GB of storage and the Windows 11 installation media tool from Microsoft's website.
During installation, you will choose which drive to install Windows on and create or sign in with a Microsoft account; the process takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on your hardware.
After installation finishes, Windows will download and install updates automatically, which can take several hours — do not turn off your PC during this time.
Your PC needs a compatible processor, at least 4 GB of RAM, and 64 GB of storage; older machines may not meet these requirements.

What to do if your new PC is still in the box

Unbox the computer, plug in the power cable, and press the power button. You will see a Windows 11 welcome screen with a language selection. Choose your language and region, then click Next. The setup wizard will ask for your keyboard layout, internet connection, and whether you want to sign in with a Microsoft account or create a local account.

If you have a Microsoft account (the email address you use for Outlook, OneDrive, or Xbox), sign in with that. If you do not have one, you can create one during setup or skip it and create a local account instead. A Microsoft account makes it easier to sync files and settings across devices, but a local account works fine if you prefer not to use one.

After you sign in, Windows will ask about privacy settings — whether to turn on location services, activity history, and diagnostic data. You can change all of these later in Settings. Once you finish these questions, Windows will download and install updates, which can take 30 minutes to several hours depending on how many updates are available. Let your PC finish this process without interruption.

Creating installation media if you need to install Windows yourself

You need a second computer and a USB drive with at least 8 GB of storage. Go to microsoft.com/software-download/windows11 on the second computer and click Download Now under "Windows 11 Installation Media." This downloads the Media Creation Tool, a small program that prepares your USB drive.

Plug the USB drive into the second computer. Open the Media Creation Tool you just downloaded and click Accept on the license terms. Choose Create installation media for another PC, then click Next. Select your language, edition (Windows 11 Home or Pro), and architecture (64-bit for almost all modern PCs). On the next screen, choose USB flash drive and select your USB drive from the list. The tool will format the drive and copy Windows 11 onto it — this takes 10 to 20 minutes.

When the tool finishes, eject the USB drive safely and plug it into the new PC. You are now ready to install.

Installing Windows 11 from the USB drive

Plug the USB drive into the new PC and turn it on. The computer should boot from the USB automatically and show the Windows Setup screen. If it does not, restart the PC and watch for a message like "Press F12 to choose boot device" or "Press Del to enter Setup." Follow that message to choose the USB drive as your boot device, then restart.

Once Windows Setup appears, choose your language and click Next. Click Install Now. Windows will ask for a product key — if you have one, enter it; if not, click I do not have a product key and continue. You will be asked which edition of Windows 11 to install (Home or Pro). Choose the one that matches your product key, or Home if you do not have a key.

Read and accept the license terms, then click Next. Windows will ask where to install — you will see a list of drives. If this is a new PC with one drive, select that drive and click Next. If you are replacing an existing installation, select the drive that currently has Windows and click Next. Windows will warn you that it will delete everything on that drive — this is normal. Click OK to proceed.

Windows will now copy files and install. This takes 20 to 40 minutes. Your PC will restart several times — this is normal. Do not turn off the PC or remove the USB drive during installation. When installation finishes, remove the USB drive and let Windows complete its first-time setup, just as described in the section above.

Checking if your PC meets Windows 11 requirements

Windows 11 needs a compatible processor, at least 4 GB of RAM, and 64 GB of storage space. Most PCs sold in the last five years meet these requirements, but older machines may not. If you are installing on an older PC and the installer refuses to proceed, your processor is likely not on Microsoft's compatibility list.

To check your current PC's specs, right-click This PC or My Computer on the desktop, click Properties, and look for the processor name and amount of RAM. Search online for that processor name plus "Windows 11 compatible" to see if it is supported. If your PC does not meet the requirements, you can continue using Windows 10, which Microsoft still supports.

What happens after installation finishes

After you complete the first-time setup, Windows will automatically download and install updates in the background. This can take several hours, especially on the first run. Your PC may restart multiple times during this process. You can use your computer while updates install, but it will be slower. Do not turn off your PC during updates.

Once updates finish, your PC is ready to use. You may see notifications about driver updates for your graphics card, network adapter, or other hardware — these are normal and safe to install. If you have a product key and did not enter it during installation, you can add it later in Settings under System > Activation.

Troubleshooting common installation problems

If the installer says your processor is not compatible, you have two options: continue using Windows 10 (still supported until October 2025), or check whether your PC has a BIOS setting that needs to be enabled. Some older processors need TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot turned on in BIOS. Restart your PC, watch for a message like "Press F2 to enter Setup" or "Press Del to enter BIOS," and look for these settings. If you are not comfortable changing BIOS settings, ask someone with technical experience to help.

If Windows Setup gets stuck on a loading screen, restart the PC and try again. If it keeps getting stuck at the same point, the USB drive may be corrupted. Go back to the Media Creation Tool on the second computer, select your USB drive again, and let the tool reformat it and copy Windows 11 again.

If you see an error about a missing driver or hardware incompatibility, write down the exact error message and search for it online along with your PC model. Manufacturers often provide driver updates or BIOS updates that fix these problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a product key to install Windows 11?

No. You can install and use Windows 11 without a product key. If you skip entering a key during installation, Windows will work normally but may show a watermark on your desktop and you will not be able to personalize some settings. You can add a product key later in Settings if you get one.

Can I install Windows 11 on a Mac?

Not officially. Macs use a different processor architecture (Apple Silicon or Intel) and Windows 11 is designed for Intel and AMD processors. Some people use virtualization software to run Windows on a Mac, but this is complex and not supported by Microsoft or Apple.

What is the difference between Windows 11 Home and Pro?

Home is for personal use and includes all the basic features most people need. Pro adds features like Remote Desktop, BitLocker encryption, and Group Policy management, which are mainly useful for businesses. If you are not sure which one you need, Home is the right choice.

How long does Windows 11 installation take?

The installation itself takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on your PC's speed. After that, Windows downloads and installs updates, which can take 1 to 4 hours on the first run. Let your PC finish this process without interruption.

Can I go back to Windows 10 after installing Windows 11?

Yes, but only within 10 days of installation. Go to Settings, click System > Recovery, and look for an option to go back to Windows 10. After 10 days, you would need to reinstall Windows 10 from scratch using the same process described above.

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.