How to clean install windows 11 without usb from Windows 10

In-Place upgrade is more recommended than clean install windows 11 from usb. You can keep apps, files and settings via in-place upgrade. You can follow this guide to get it done safely:

https://www.techgizz.com/upgrade-to-windows-11-without-losing-data

To clean install Windows 11 without using a USB drive—such as upgrading directly from Windows 10—has some potential disadvantages:

• If not carefully backed up, you might accidentally delete important files during the partition formatting process.
• Upgrading directly from Windows 10 to Windows 11 without a fresh install may carry over some compatibility issues or residual settings that a clean install would typically resolve.
• Without booting from external media, you might have limited options to completely wipe and re-partition your drive, especially if Windows is running and you want to delete system partitions.
• In some cases, upgrading in-place can result in errors or failed installations if there are underlying issues with your current Windows 10 setup.
• Performing an in-place upgrade might take longer and be more prone to errors compared to a straightforward clean installation via bootable media.
• Running the installation process within Windows 10 could leave your system vulnerable if there are background processes or malware that interfere with the upgrade.

While upgrading directly from Windows 10 to Windows 11 without a USB can be more convenient, it may not be as thorough or clean as a fresh install.  Do a clean install Windows 11 generally offers better performance, fewer residual issues, and a more optimized system—especially if you back up your data beforehand.

There are two ways for upgrading Windows 10 to Windows 11. One is clean install and the other is in-place upgrade.

What They Are

Clean Install: Completely wipes the target drive (or partition) and installs Windows from scratch. You boot from installation media (USB/DVD), delete existing partitions, then let setup create new ones and copy files. This is a popular way to clean install Windows 11 from Windows 10.

In-Place Upgrade: Launches Windows Setup from within your existing Windows environment, upgrades system files in place, and preserves your apps, settings, and personal data across the transition. In-place will keep personal files, apps and settings. So it is more safe then clean install Windows 11 from USB drive.

When to Choose Which

Pick a Clean Install if…

• You’re moving to a new drive or completely wiping out old data.
• You’ve accumulated performance problems, driver conflicts, or malware.
• You want maximum longevity and stability from this install (e.g., on a work PC).

Pick an In-Place Upgrade if…

• You need to get up and running quickly with all your current apps and settings.
• Your Windows 10 setup is healthy and you’ve kept drivers up to date.
• You don’t mind keeping a bit of legacy clutter in exchange for convenience.

The Process at a Glance

Clean Install:

1. Back up everything (files, license keys, settings).
2. Boot from Windows 11 USB/DVD.
3. Delete partitions → select “Unallocated Space” → Next.
4. Install, then reinstall apps and restore your data.

In-Place Upgrade

1. Back up critical data (just in case).
2. From Windows 10 desktop, run the Windows 11 setup.exe.
3. Choose “Keep personal files and apps.”
4. Follow prompts—your system will reboot and migrate your environment.

Windows 11 is  more popular choice now. Before upgrade, there are a couple of things you should pay attention to when you plan to clean install Windows 11 from Windows 10 without USB. Please take a full read of the points.

System Requirements & Compatibility

TPM 2.0 & Secure Boot: Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0 enabled and Secure Boot turned on in your UEFI settings. Check your motherboard’s firmware and, if necessary, update or enable these features before upgrading.

CPU & RAM: Verify your processor is on Microsoft’s supported-CPU list and that you have at least 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage.

Graphics & Display: A DirectX 12–compatible GPU and a display capable of ≥9″ diagonal with 720p resolution are required for Core Windows 11 features.

Backup Your Data

Always create a full backup (e.g., via File History, OneDrive, or a disk-image tool) before the upgrade. That way, if anything goes wrong—or if you decide to rollback—you’ll have all your files and settings safely stored.

Driver & Software Compatibility

Drivers: Visit your PC or motherboard manufacturer’s support page to download the latest Windows 11–ready drivers (chipset, graphics, storage controllers).

Applications: Some legacy apps and older drivers may not be fully compatible. Check critical business or creative software for Windows 11 support and install any available updates beforehand.

By planning ahead around hardware checks, backups, driver and app compatibility, and understanding the UI and feature changes, you'll minimize downtime and ensure a successful clean install Windows 11 from Windows 10.

If you’re going to clean install Windows 11 without USB, make sure you have a reliable method (like an ISO on a bootable drive or using the Windows Media Creation Tool) ready to go. The install process itself will overwrite all existing system files, so those tweaks won’t stick around. Tinkering with update controls (like registry tweaks or group policies) doesn’t really cause harm on their own, especially if you’re about to wipe the drive and do a clean install. They’re just settings stored in your system, and a fresh install will overwrite or reset most of that stuff.

If you change too many system settings and don’t note what you did, it can be confusing if you want to revert later. But since you’re doing a clean install, that’s not a biggie. If you tweak the registry incorrectly, it might cause system instability until you reinstall. But again, a clean install will fix that.

I usually recommend not to worry too much about tweaking stuff if you’re planning a clean install Windows 11 without USB. Just make sure you back up any important data first. If you want to minimize any potential hiccups, you can simply reset your PC to default settings (via Settings > Recovery > Reset this PC) before re-installing, or just go straight into the clean install.

Clean Installing Windows 11 without a USB and keeping everything intact (apps, files, settings) is doable, especially since your mom’s Dell XPS 13 has solid specs. Here’s a straightforward way to clean install Windows 11 from within Windows 10:

1. Use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant
* Microsoft offers the Windows 11 Installation Assistant for upgrades without losing data or apps:
* Download Windows 11 Installation Assistant 
* Run the tool and follow the prompts.
* It will check compatibility, then upgrade in-place, keeping all apps, files, and settings.

This method is like a 'repair install' — it upgrades your Windows while preserving your data.

2. Use Windows Update
* Sometimes, Windows 11 upgrade offers appear directly in Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
* If available, just click Download and Install.

If your mom’s laptop is quite old or a bit borderline, double-check compatibility. If it’s not compatible, a clean install Windows 11 might require a USB or clean ISO, but based on the specs, she should be fine.

A clean install of Windows 11 means wiping your drive and installing the OS from scratch. Here's a step-by-step on how to clean install Windows 11 without USB.

Prerequisites

USB flash drive (8 GB or larger) that can be fully erased.

Windows 11 ISO — download the official ISO from Microsoft’s site.

A working Windows PC to prepare the USB.

Step 1: Download the Windows 11 ISO

Go to Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page.

Under “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)”, select Windows 11 and your language, then click Download.

Save the ISO to a location you’ll remember (e.g., your Desktop).

Step 2: Create Windows 11 Bootable USB from ISO

Download the Media Creation Tool for Windows 11.

Run it, choose Create installation media, and click Next.

Select language and edition, choose USB flash drive, then pick your USB and let it run.

Step 3.  Clean Install Windows 11 from USB

Insert the USB into the target PC and restart.

Enter the BIOS/UEFI (usually by pressing F2, F12, Del, or Esc) and set the USB drive as first boot device.

Save and exit—Windows Setup will start.

When prompted, choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).

Delete existing partitions on the target drive (this wipes all data), select the resulting unallocated space, and click Next.

The installer will copy files and reboot several times.