How to clean install windows 11 on a new computer?

From my past experience, it is more challenging to install Windows 11 on a new computer than Windows 10 as Windows 11 has additional system requirements. Please pay attention to the issues mentioned below before installing Windows 11 on a new PC.

1. Verify Hardware Compatibility and BIOS Settings

Before installing Windows 11 on a new computer, you must verify that your hardware meets the minimum requirements. Windows 11 mandates support for TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) and UEFI Secure Boot. If the motherboard does not have these features enabled, the installation will prompt “This computer cannot run Windows 11”. In addition, the CPU must be 8th generation Intel or AMD Ryzen 2000 series or above, otherwise you need to bypass the restriction by modifying the registry or third-party tools, but it may lead to problems with subsequent updates.

2. Proper planning of partition structure and file system

The SSD partition of a new computer should take into account both system performance and data security. It is recommended to use GPT partition table (support UEFI boot and large capacity hard disk) instead of the old MBR. during installation, the system will automatically create EFI system partition and recovery partition. It is recommended to allocate at least 120GB of space to the primary partition (C drive), and the remaining space can be divided into D/E drive for games or data storage).

3. Prepare hardware drivers and network connection in advance

After installing a new Windows 11 OS, you may lack the driver for the network card, which makes it impossible to download the driver from the network. You need to download the driver from the motherboard website in advance and save it to a USB flash drive or another device. After the installation is complete, install the chipset driver first to ensure hardware compatibility, and then install the drivers for the graphics card, sound card, etc. in turn. 

4. System Activation and Data Migration Strategy

After installation, you need to activate the system in a timely manner. It is recommended to activate the system by binding the digital license to your Microsoft account (internet connection required) or using a legal key. For temporary use, you can extend the trial period (up to 30 days) with the command slmgr /rearm. For data migration on older computers, clone the hard disk after the new system has been installed using a “transfer cable”. Do not connect directly to the old hard disk during installation to avoid accidentally deleting data. Finally, it is recommended to create a system recovery image for quick recovery from failures.

These are very helpful best practices to help you clean install Windows 11 on new PC and avoid the common issues you might come across!