Description of Problem

If you're having issues with your device that are software related, you may need to re-install Windows 11. You may even need to re-install Windows just for a clean slate to clear out any unnecessary software that's built up over the years.

This guide will run you through the installation process for Windows 11.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 1. Enter BIOS and Enter the Windows USB
  • Step 1: Plug in the USB
  • Step 2: Restart the device and enter BIOS
  • Step 3: Select the Windows USB
• 2. Re-intalling Windows
  • Step 1: Windows USB Setup
  • Step 2: Deleting Partitions
  • Step 3: Finish Installation

1. Enter BIOS and Enter the Windows USB

Step 1: Plug in the USB

Before we start this process, we'll assume you already have Windows 11 installation media on a USB stick. Plug this USB into the device now.

If you do not have a USB with Windows installation media on it, you should be able to create this yourself by using the below 'Create Windows 11 Installation Media'. We won't go into anymore detail on this guide, however if you have a need to do this then feel free to email [email protected] for help.

Download Windows 11 

Step 2: Restart the device and enter BIOS

When restarting your PC, it will always boot into the existing Windows 11 install that exist on your hard drive. In order to overcome this, we need to enter the BIOS of the device and manually choose the USB we have plugged into the device.

Every BIOS is different, and we strongly recommend googling how to enter your specific device's BIOS. All devices will need restarting to enter BIOS, and during the restart you need to click a specific key on a keyboard.

For Dell's, most of the time you will need to keep clicking F12 until you enter BIOS. Beyond this, every device is almost always different and depending on branding, age and device type you will enter the BIOS of the device in a different way.

Step 3: Select the Windows USB

The below screenshot is from a Dell device. We can see the USB showing on the left side, which we'll want to click to then boot into the device.

To summarise we got here by simply restarting the device and then pressing F12 multiple times during the restart to get into BIOS. As mentioned above, every model is different! If you're unable to find how to get into BIOS via google, feel free to email [email protected].

2. Re-intalling Windows

Step 1: Windows USB Setup

Now you've booted into the USB which contains Windows 11 install media, you will be walked through the setup. Follow the screenshots below for a quick walk through of this:

You may not get the below screen. If you do not, just move on. Please be aware that if you manually upgraded Windows from Windows Home to Windows Pro then this will remove the Pro license.

If you did not get the above screenshot, you also won't get the below, so feel free to move on.

If you do get this option, you'll likely need to select 'Windows 11 Pro'.

Step 2: Deleting Partitions

Once you've gone through the above, you will be met with a screen that shows you all the existing partitions on your hard drive. In order to reinstall Windows, you will need to delete all of these.

Please be aware after this step you will not be able to recover any of your data. Ensure all important data is backed up before proceeding.

Delete the below partitions that are labelled with 'Disk 0'. Be sure to leave disk 1, as you can see this is the USB you're currently using to install windows

Step 3: Finish Installation

From here, you should have a screen that looks similar to the below:

Select disk 0, which has now been wiped, then select next.

Then select install, and you're done!

From here, Windows will begin installing completely from scratch. This will take around 5 mins, then you can take the USB out of the device and run through the normal Windows setup