Forum Discussion
How to reinstall Windows 11 from USB bootable drive?
My Windows 11 PC is infected by malware and can't get rid of. So I made a bootable USB with Windows 11 Media Creation Tool but the USB is not available at boot up. I'm a bit uncertain about the exact steps to follow for a smooth reinstallation process. I've heard that there can be some tricky parts, especially with BIOS settings.
Could someone guide me through the process of reinstalling Windows 11 from USB drive? What kind of things I should be before and during the installation?
Thanks
- Reboot the computer and open the quick boot menu key. Usually, it is F12, F11, Esc or Enter. Wait a few seconds and you will see all the bootable devices. Now, select the USB to start reinstalling Windows 11 from this usb drive.
Elswit One common reason your PC may not detect the Windows 11 bootable USB drive is compatibility issues with the USB port. Older PCs might not support USB 3.0 or higher, and if you're using a USB 3.0 drive in a USB 2.0 port, it might not be recognized. To successfully reinstall Windows 11 from USB drive, try using a different USB port, preferably a USB 2.0 port if available. Also, ensure that the USB drive itself is in good working condition by testing it on another computer.
Elswit Another significant factor could be your BIOS or UEFI settings. If your system’s firmware is not configured to recognize USB devices as bootable, it won't detect the drive. For security, USB boot is disabled by default on moder computer.
Enter your BIOS/UEFI settings during the boot process (typically by pressing keys like F2, F10, F12, Esc, or Del during startup). Once inside, ensure that USB boot is enabled. This will allow you reinstalling Windows 11 from bootable USB. Check the boot order and make sure that the USB drive is listed as the first boot device. Additionally, if Secure Boot is enabled, it might prevent the USB drive from being recognized. Temporarily disabling Secure Boot might resolve the issue.
