Building a PC is a very complicated process filled with lots of tasks that can be quite the handful. One of the most important steps during a PC build is the installation of Windows. It might not be as fun as assembling the PC itself, but installing appropriate operating software is a vital piece of the puzzle that allows your system to operate as intended.
However, anyone unfamiliar with the ins and outs of PC building may get stuck at this point, as installing Windows onto a new system isn’t as easy as it might sound. But there’s no need to worry, as we’ll be going over all the steps in this guide on how to install Windows 11 in 2023.
Why Windows 11?
Before we get into the details of the installation process, let’s discuss the advantages of Microsoft’s latest operating system. First releasing in late 2021, Windows 11 replaced the widely popular Windows 10, bringing with it an increased focus on productivity, performance, and integration with other devices and software.
As soon as you upgrade to Windows 11, the first thing you will notice the new bubbly design meant to improve readability and navigation. The refreshed look is supported with lots of new features that aim to increase productivity. For example, the introduction of virtual desktops allows users to separate their apps and tasks into individual workspaces.
But that’s not all, as Windows 11 should provide some performance benefits too. Whilst the differences won’t be as apparent as a hardware upgrade, the improvements from Window 11 results in a slightly snappier response thanks to the more efficient power consumption and workload distribution.
Finally, the latest operating software from Microsoft features an added focus on security. In order to achieve this boost to security, your system does need a TPM 2.0 module, as this will enable Windows 11 to complete the additional security protocols. Most modern PCs and devices will include a TMP 2.0 module, but is always worth double-checking.
Instructions
Now we’ve figured out why you would want to upgrade to Windows 11, let’s move on to the task at hand. The instructions will provide a step-by-step guide on how to install Windows 11 onto your brand-new Gaming PC. It is important to note that some of the steps may differ slightly depending on the components and motherboard manufacturer for your system, but this guide will provide a rough indication on what to do at that specific point of the process.
Step 1 – Find an Empty USB Stick
The first step is to find or buy a USB stick that doesn’t have any files on it. This drive also needs to have at least an 8GB capacity to store the necessary data. A USB drive with existing files on it can also be used, but make sure to back up the files onto another device before attempting to install Windows. Once you have found a USB stick, plug it into an existing PC.
Note: Any existing data on the USB drive will be removed when run through the Windows Media Tool, so make sure any important data is backed up onto another device before proceeding.
Step 2 – Download the Windows Media Tool
Once you’ve done that, the next step is to open a web browser and search for ‘Windows 11 Media Creation Tool’. This will take you to the Microsoft Windows installation page. From here, click the ‘Download Now’ button on the section titled ‘Create Windows 11 Installation Media’. Once pressed, it will download the Windows 11 Media Tool.
Note: Make sure you are on the official Microsoft website before downloading (Link here).
Step 3 – Select Language & Edition
After the media tool has installed, boot it up and click accept. This will lead you to the language language and edition. Simply select the appropriate language for your needs and Windows 11 as the edition, then click next.
Step 4 – Plug in the USB
This stage is where the USB we prepared earlier will come in handy. As soon as you see this screen asking you to choose a media, plug in your USB and select the ‘USB Flash Drive’ option. Then, click next.
Step 5 – Select Your USB
Now, it’s time to choose the correct USB flash drive. The easiest way to make sure the correct drive is selected is by removing any other USB devices connected to the PC. But if that’s not possible, double-check the name of the drive in file explorer. Once you’re happy with the selection, click next.
Step 6 – Wait for Windows 11 to Download
After selecting the USB drive, the download will begin. Use this time to take a breather, grab a beverage of choice, and wait for the tool to download onto your USB flash drive.
Step 7 – Remove USB & Plug into Your New PC
Once the Windows Installation Tool has finished downloading, the screen will state ‘Your USB flash drive is ready’. When this appears, click ‘finish’ and your USB can be removed and transferred to your new PC.
Step 8 – Boot into BIOS on Your New PC
Moving onto the more complex part of the installation process. Before starting this next step, make sure there is a monitor, keyboard, and mouse plugged into the new PC. Turn the new system on and repeatedly press the ‘delete’ key on the keyboard, which will let you boot into the BIOS.
This will lead to your monitor displaying a screen similar to the image above. This is the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) screen. This screen allows you to make adjustments to how the operating software and hardware interact, which influences how the system boots up and operates.
Step 9 – Select Your Drive As Boot Option
Now the BIOS is being displayed, we need to complete the most crucial step of the installation process by selecting the priority boot option.
First, reach the advanced mode of your BIOS, which is typically done by pressing a function key such as ‘F7’. Then, look for the tab or section that controls the boot priorities.
Here, you need to select ‘Boot Option 1’ and change it to ‘UEFI USB partition’, as this is where the Windows Installation will be located.
Step 10 – Enable TPM 2.0
As mentioned earlier, TPM 2.0 is a new requirement for Windows 11 that needs to be enabled before attempting to boot up with the software. Where to look for this setting will depend on the motherboard, so we suggest referring to appropriate guides on how to locate the TPM settings in the specific BIOS.
In this case, the TPM on MSI’s BIOS sits under ‘Security Device Support’. Enabling this setting and saving the changes means that the TPM is active and your system should be ready to use the operating system.
Step 11 – Reboot Into Windows Installation
Onto the final stretch now! When you’re happy with the settings in the BIOS, you can save changes and exit, which should cause the PC to reboot into a Windows screen. If you are met with a screen like the one on the right, you have managed to boot into the Windows USB successfully and now ready for the final stage.
Step 12 – Complete Windows 11 Installation
After checking a few settings such as language and keyboard layout, a page will pop up asking where you would like Windows to be installed.
If you have multiple storage drives, you will want to pick your main SSD drive in order to achieve the best performance and boot speeds. Then, press ‘next’ and you’re pretty much done!
During the final bits of the installation process, your PC might reboot a few times, but there is no need to worry as this is a normal part of the process.