Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create Windows 11 USB flash drive needed to clean install Windows 11 on PC and laptop. If you plan on installing Windows 11 on a device that meets system requirements, you’ll need to create a bootable media file by following the instructions in the following tutorial. You can also apply the same steps mentioned below to create a Windows 11 23H2 USB Flash drive for the latest version of the Windows 11 operating system recently released with all the new features.
Although the clean installation of Windows 11 is possible directly from the Media Creation Tool or via an ISO file, using a bootable USB Flash Drive to boot the device remains the most effective method to fresh install the firmware. Besides, it is perhaps the only safe approach if you want to install Windows 11 on a device with an empty hard drive or on a new computer.
If you want to create a USB bootable flash drive to install Windows 11, you can use the Media Creation Tool.
Create Windows 11 USB Flash Drive From Media Creation Tool
The Media Creation tool for the Windows 11 October 2023 upgrade is now available to download ISO files required to create a bootable USB install media. As Windows 11 version 23H2 is based on the same architecture as Windows 10, the steps are not different from the ones that apply to set up the current version of the tool.
Use these steps to use the Media Creation Tool to create a bootable Windows 11 USB drive:
Step 1: Open Microsoft support website.
Step 2: Under the “Create Windows 11 Installation Media” section, click the Download Now button.
Step 3: To launch the tool, double-click the MediaCreationToolW11.exe file.
Step 4: Click the Accept button.
Step 5: Then click the Next button.
Note: If you’re creating a Windows 11 USB for another device, uncheck the “Use the recommended options for this PC” option to select the correct language, architecture, and edition.
Step 6: Once done, select the USB flash drive option.
Step 7: Click the Next button.
Step 8: Choose the USB flash drive from the list. Ensure it does not contain any important files as you’re about to erase everything on it.
Step 9: With that out of the way, click the Next button and finally hit the Finish button.
Step 10: That’s it.
After completing the steps, you can start a computer using UEFI with the USB flash drive to install Windows 11 23H2 October 2023 Update latest version.
