Windows 11 Clean Install Guide

10 Mins

Intermediate

Tools Needed

Watch Video

Send to Email

Send to Phone

Required Tools

Performing a clean install of Windows 11 will delete everything on your SSD, so ensure you back up any important files before proceeding. A clean installation of Windows can resolve numerous issues such as persistent software errors, malware infections, performance slowdowns, and general system instability.

Why Should I Perform a Clean Install of Windows 11?

Reinstalling Windows can help address several issues:

Resolve Persistent Software Errors: Fixes issues caused by software conflicts and corrupted system files.
Eliminate Malware Infections: Removes malware and other security threats that traditional antivirus solutions may miss.
Boost Performance and Enhance System Stability: Cleans up the system by removing unnecessary files and programs, addressing instability and crashes, and ensuring all system files and settings are reset to default for a clean slate.

How Does a Clean Install Help?

Fresh Start: Ensures that all system files and settings are reset to default, providing a clean slate.
Comprehensive Cleanup: Completely removes all existing data, software, and settings, eliminating any potential issues.
Improves Stability and Performance: By starting fresh, the system can operate more smoothly without the clutter of old files and settings, enhancing overall system stability and performance.

Reinstalling Windows can help address several issues:

Resolve Persistent Software Errors: Fixes issues caused by software conflicts and corrupted system files.
Eliminate Malware Infections: Removes malware and other security threats that traditional antivirus solutions may miss.
Boost Performance and Enhance System Stability: Cleans up the system by removing unnecessary files and programs, addressing instability and crashes, and ensuring all system files and settings are reset to default for a clean slate.

How Does a Clean Install Help?

Fresh Start: Ensures that all system files and settings are reset to default, providing a clean slate.
Comprehensive Cleanup: Completely removes all existing data, software, and settings, eliminating any potential issues.
Improves Stability and Performance: By starting fresh, the system can operate more smoothly without the clutter of old files and settings, enhancing overall system stability and performance.

Preparing the USB

Downloading the Installation Tool

Follow the Windows Media Creation guide to prepare the USB
It will take around 10-20 minutes to download Windows onto the USB.
Plug the USB into the back of the PC you're reinstalling Windows on.
Turn on the PC and immediately start pressing the delete button until you enter the motherboard BIOS.

Downloading the Installation Tool

Follow the Windows Media Creation guide to prepare the USB
It will take around 10-20 minutes to download Windows onto the USB.
Plug the USB into the back of the PC you're reinstalling Windows on.
Turn on the PC and immediately start pressing the delete button until you enter the motherboard BIOS.

In the BIOS

Asus/ROG Motherboards

Enter "Advanced Mode" by pressing F7 if not there automatically.
Go to the "Boot" menu.
Under "Boot Override", select your Windows Boot USB. It will usually be listed as UEFI, then the USB brand, Partition 1.
This will boot you into the Windows install setup.

Asus/ROG Motherboards

Enter "Advanced Mode" by pressing F7 if not there automatically.
Go to the "Boot" menu.
Under "Boot Override", select your Windows Boot USB. It will usually be listed as UEFI, then the USB brand, Partition 1.
This will boot you into the Windows install setup.

Gigabyte/AORUS Motherboards

Enter "Advanced Mode" by pressing F2 if not there automatically.
Go to the "Save and Exit" menu.
Under "Boot Override", select your Windows Boot USB. It will usually be listed as UEFI, then the USB brand, Partition 1.
This will boot you into the Windows install setup.

Gigabyte/AORUS Motherboards

Enter "Advanced Mode" by pressing F2 if not there automatically.
Go to the "Save and Exit" menu.
Under "Boot Override", select your Windows Boot USB. It will usually be listed as UEFI, then the USB brand, Partition 1.
This will boot you into the Windows install setup.

MSI Motherboards

Enter "Advanced Mode" by pressing F7 if not there automatically.
Go to "Settings" > "Save and Exit".
Under "Boot Override", select your Windows Boot USB. It will usually be listed as UEFI, then the USB brand, Partition 1.
This will boot you into the Windows install setup.

MSI Motherboards

Enter "Advanced Mode" by pressing F7 if not there automatically.
Go to "Settings" > "Save and Exit".
Under "Boot Override", select your Windows Boot USB. It will usually be listed as UEFI, then the USB brand, Partition 1.
This will boot you into the Windows install setup.

Reinstallation Setup

Press any key to continue once the PC has booted from the USB.
Leave the first page of settings as is. Click "Next" and then select "Install Now".

When asked for a product key, select "I don't have a product key". If you had an activated copy of Windows, it will often re-activate automatically after reinstallation.
Agree to the license agreement, click "Next", and then choose "Custom" install.

When asked for a product key, select "I don't have a product key". If you had an activated copy of Windows, it will often re-activate automatically after reinstallation.
Agree to the license agreement, click "Next", and then choose "Custom" install.

IMPORTANT: Partition Management

Deleting SSD Partitions

Identify your SSD where Windows is installed. It will have 4 partitions - System, MSR (Reserved), Recovery, and Primary.
Delete each of these partitions until your SSD is listed as "Unallocated Space". Note, if you have multiple drives, we need to find which one is your primary SSD! An easy way to determine this is by checking the listed size. For example, if you have a 1TB primary SSD, and a 4TB HDD, select the "Unallocated Space" listing that matches the size of your 1TB drive.
Select the "Unallocated Space", click "New", then "Apply" on the size prompt. Confirm the partition creation.
Select the "Primary" partition and click "Next" to start installing Windows.

Deleting SSD Partitions

Identify your SSD where Windows is installed. It will have 4 partitions - System, MSR (Reserved), Recovery, and Primary.
Delete each of these partitions until your SSD is listed as "Unallocated Space". Note, if you have multiple drives, we need to find which one is your primary SSD! An easy way to determine this is by checking the listed size. For example, if you have a 1TB primary SSD, and a 4TB HDD, select the "Unallocated Space" listing that matches the size of your 1TB drive.
Select the "Unallocated Space", click "New", then "Apply" on the size prompt. Confirm the partition creation.
Select the "Primary" partition and click "Next" to start installing Windows.

After Installing Windows

Follow the prompts to set up Windows, such as choosing your country, setting up Wi-Fi, and logging into your Microsoft Account.
Type "Windows Update" into the start search bar and select the top option and allow the updates to continue.
Click AMD GPU Driver Installation to download your AMD GPU Drivers
Click NVIDIA GPU Driver Installation to download your NVIDIA GPU Drivers

Follow the prompts to set up Windows, such as choosing your country, setting up Wi-Fi, and logging into your Microsoft Account.
Type "Windows Update" into the start search bar and select the top option and allow the updates to continue.
Click AMD GPU Driver Installation to download your AMD GPU Drivers
Click NVIDIA GPU Driver Installation to download your NVIDIA GPU Drivers

What's Next?

Once everything is installed and back in place, boot up your PC to check if the issue is resolved. If problems persist, consider the below troubleshooting methods or contact our friendly staff for assistance.