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AviAvn's avatar
AviAvn
Copper Contributor
Mar 31, 2026

How to repair Windows 11 from USB stick for corrupted os?

My Windows 11 os has become corrupted and is no longer booting to the desktop, instead stuck on automatic repair forever. However, the standard "Startup Repair" tool has failed to fix the issue, and ...
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Mustafoan's avatar
Mustafoan
Brass Contributor
Apr 01, 2026

Performing a Repair Install is a useful method to repair Windows 11 system when it's not booting properly or if you're experiencing issues. To repair Windows 11 from USB, you'll need to boot from the USB drive and follow the steps below.

Here's how to proceed:

1. Insert the Windows 11 installation media (USB): This will be the USB drive that contains the Windows 11 setup files. Make sure it's the correct version (32-bit or 64-bit) for your system architecture.

2. Restart your PC and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings. This is usually done by pressing F2, F12, or the Del key as soon as your computer starts booting.

3. Set the USB drive as the first boot device. Save your changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI settings.

4. Your computer should now boot from the USB drive. You'll see the Windows Setup screen.

5. Choose your language and other preferences, then click "Repair Windows 11 from USB". This will allow you to access the recovery options.

6. Select "Troubleshoot," then "System Restore" or "System Image Recovery," depending on your needs. System Restore will revert your system to a previous point in time, while System Image Recovery will restore your system from a backup.

7. Alternatively, you can choose "Advanced options" and then "Command Prompt". In the Command Prompt, you can run various commands to repair your system.

8. If none of the above options work, you may need to perform a clean install of Windows 11. This involves wiping your existing system and installing a fresh copy of Windows 11.