This guide is for the case where Windows 11 really has to be installed – as an upgrade of an existing system or as a clean install. Very often that is not necessary at all: if a copy of Windows is already running on the machine, usually only the activation is missing. So the fork in the road comes first.
Do you need to install anything at all?
In most cases, no. Anyone who buys a Windows licence key from us almost always already has a working Windows on the machine – then there is nothing to install, only the activation is missing. First check which of the three cases applies to you:
- Windows is already running, it is just not activated. Then you do not need this guide. Enter the licence key under Settings → System → Activation – our guide to activating Windows takes you through it step by step.
- Windows 11 Home is running on the machine and you bought Pro. Here too nothing is reinstalled: Windows changes edition on the running system, without data loss. That route is described in the same activation guide.
- The machine is new, empty, or you deliberately want a clean start. Only then does the rest of this guide apply to you.
Checking the system requirements
Windows 11 has higher requirements than Windows 10. Your computer needs:
| Processor | 1 GHz or faster, at least 2 cores, 64-bit, from the list Microsoft supports |
| Memory | at least 4 GB |
| Storage | at least 64 GB |
| Firmware | UEFI with Secure Boot enabled |
| Security chip | TPM 2.0 |
The PC Health Check app from Microsoft checks these points for you automatically. TPM and Secure Boot are present on many devices but switched off in the BIOS or UEFI – it is worth looking at the firmware settings before you give up.
Before you install
- Back up your data to an external hard drive or to cloud storage. A clean installation erases the system drive.
- Make a note of the credentials for your Wi-Fi, email and important programs.
- Have the Windows licence key to hand.
- Connect a laptop to mains power.
Route 1: Upgrading from Windows 10
- First install all outstanding updates under Settings → Update & Security.
- Open microsoft.com/software-download/windows11 and download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant.
- Run the program and accept the licence terms.
- The assistant downloads Windows 11 and installs it. The computer restarts several times during this.
- After the last restart, sign in as usual. Your files and programs are kept.
Route 2: Clean installation
- Create a bootable USB stick – our guide to creating an installation stick explains how.
- Plug the stick in and restart the computer. During start-up, open the boot menu, usually with F12, F11, F8 or Esc depending on the manufacturer.
- Select the USB stick as the boot drive.
- Choose the language, time format and keyboard layout, then click Install now.
- Enter the licence key. You can skip this step and activate later.
- Choose Custom: Install Windows only.
- Select the target partition. Take care that you really do pick the right drive.
- The files are copied and the computer restarts several times. Remove the stick after the first restart.
- Set up your region, keyboard, network and user account.
After the installation
Check under Settings → System → Activation whether Windows is activated. Then install all updates under Settings → Windows Update and check in Device Manager whether any drivers are missing. Graphics and chipset drivers are best obtained directly from the manufacturer of your device.
If something goes wrong
- “This PC can’t run Windows 11”: Usually TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot is switched off in the firmware. Enable both in the UEFI and check again.
- The USB stick is not offered as a boot drive: Switch off Fast Boot in the UEFI and, if you can, plug the stick into a USB 2.0 port.
- The hard drive is not shown: On some laptops the driver for the storage controller is missing. Download it from the manufacturer and add it during setup using Load driver.
- Setup hangs at a percentage: Wait at least 30 minutes before you intervene. Then remove any USB devices you do not need and restart.
- No internet after the installation: The Wi-Fi driver is missing. Transfer it on a USB stick from another computer, or use a network cable for the time being.
If you get stuck at any point, write to us via the contact page – with your order number, device model and the step where it stalls.