How to Install Windows 11 Step by Step Using a USB Drive

Updated by

Sherly 

Written by

Linda 

Last updated on April 19, 2024

Windows 11 has created quite a buzz among tech enthusiasts with its alluring interface and user-friendly features. If you wish to switch to and download Windows 11, there are two ways to go about it. One is by joining the Windows Insider preview builds, and the other is to install Windows 11 from a bootable USB.

Here's the full guide on how to install Windows 11 from USB with two methods. You'll also learn how to migrate your operating system with a simple click to install Windows 11 on HDD or SSD.

How to use the Media Creation Tool to install Windows 11 from USB

The Media Creation Tool for Windows 11 is the easiest way to upgrade your current version of Windows to Windows 11. You can also create a bootable Windows 11 ISO to install Windows 11 on any other device from a USB drive.

Request:

• Sufficient free space on your computer to install the new Windows version
• A blank USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of space, or a blank DVD (and a DVD burner) to create installation media

1. Create a Windows 11 Installation USB

Step 1: Download the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool directly from Microsoft.

Step 2 On the What do you want to do? screen, choose Create installation media for another PC, and then click Next.

Step 3: Choose the language, edition, and architecture (64-bit) for Windows 11.

Step 4. Choose the media you want to use, either a USB drive or an ISO file.

• USB flash drive - Make sure the USB drive connected to your computer has at least 8 GB of storage space. The Media Creation Tool will then download Windows 11 and automatically burn it onto the USB flash drive.
• ISO file - The ISO file will be saved on your computer, which you can use to create a DVD. After downloading the ISO file, locate it and use the Windows Disc Image Burner to create your installation DVD with simple steps.

2. Install Windows 11 from a bootable USB drive

After creating the Windows 11 bootable USB drive, connect it to the PC you want to upgrade to Windows 11.

Before installing Windows 11, you need to enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 in your BIOS settings.

Step 1: Restart your computer and boot from the USB. You'll need to press a key (such as F2, F12, Delete, or Esc) immediately after turning it on to access the boot menu and change the boot order.

Step 2: Follow the on-screen wizard to complete the installation of Windows 11. When prompted, enter your Windows 11 product key during the setup process.

How to Use Win11Builder to Install Windows 11 from USB

Aside from downloading Windows 11 from the official Microsoft website, you can also use the Win11Builder tool to download the Windows 11 ISO file and create a bootable USB drive for installing Windows 11. Download it for free to give it a try!

Once the setup is done, launch OS2Go and click on the Windows Install Drive Creator. The homepage will display the system information it has detected, which will update in real-time. In addition to Windows 11, Win11 Builder also lets you download Windows 10 and Windows 8.1.

Step 2: Connect the USB flash drive to your computer. Win11 Builder should automatically detect it, and you just need to click the Create button.

If the USB drive has been used before, the program will format it first, erasing all data. After starting the download, wait patiently until it's finished, or do something else in the meantime.

Step 4. Once the Windows 11 ISO image has been successfully downloaded to your USB drive, proceed with the installation wizard to start installing Windows 11 on your computer from the bootable USB drive.

How to Install Windows 11 on SSD/HDD Without Downloading, Using System Migration

If you've already installed Windows 11 on your HDD but want to upgrade your system disk to an SSD or a larger HDD for speed, how can you install Windows 11 on the new drive? In this case, there's no need to reinstall Windows 11 via USB again. You just need to use special Windows disk management software to migrate Win11 to the new disk without reinstallation.

Well-known Windows disk management tool - AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional, can help you quickly migrate system to SSD or HDD.

The main features of Partition Master include:

• Install and set up Windows 11 without the internet.
• Resize/move partitions, merge partitions, clone partitions, and check file system errors.
• Convert to GPT/MBR, dynamic/basic, and even erase data.
• Format and safely erase data on partitions/disks.

Note: If there is not enough unallocated space on the target disk, migrating the operating system to an SSD or HDD will delete existing partitions and data on the destination disk. Back up any important data to an external hard drive beforehand if you have any.

Step 1: From the left pane, choose “Clone.” Select “System Migration” and click “Next” to proceed.

Step 2. Select the target disk to which you want to clone. Click “Next”.

< strong > Step 3: After reading the warning message, click “OK”. All data and partitions on the target disk will be erased. Make sure you have backed up your important data beforehand. If not, do it now.

Step 4: Preview the layout of the target disk. You can also click on the Layout Options to customize the layout of the target disk as needed. Then click "Start" to begin migrating the operating system to the new disk.

5. When you see the confirmation message asking if you want to boot from the cloned disk, check the box next to "Adjust the boot order to boot from the cloned disk" based on your need, then click the corresponding button.

• Reboot Now: This restarts the computer immediately and boots the operating system from the new disk.
• Finish Later: This applies the changes at a later time.

After the OS migration, you'll need to enter your BIOS and set the cloned SSD or HDD as the boot drive to start Windows 11.

Conclusion

How do I install Windows 11 from a USB drive? Or how do I create a Windows 11 bootable drive? It's easy – just read and follow the instructions in this guide. You can install Windows 11 from USB using the Windows Setup or a dedicated Windows 11 media creation tool.

To migrate Windows 11 to SSD or HDD, you can use the Partition Master tool. It allows you to install Windows 11 without downloading it. Utilize this partitioning tool to manage and make the most of your hard drive.