You’ve just finished building your brand-new PC. The cables are clean, the fans are spinning, and the BIOS screen greets you on your first boot. But now comes an essential step: installing Windows 11 to get your system fully operational.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to install Windows 11 on a fresh PC in 2025, from creating the bootable USB to finalizing your system setup with drivers and updates. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned builder, this step-by-step tutorial will ensure your installation is smooth and error-free.
What You’ll Need
Before you begin, make sure you have the following:
✅ A second working computer with internet access
✅ A USB flash drive (at least 8GB, preferably 16GB+)
✅ Windows 11 ISO file or Media Creation Tool from Microsoft
✅ Your Windows 11 product key (or Microsoft account for digital license)
✅ Your newly built PC with all components properly installed
💡 You do not need an optical drive—USB installation is the fastest and most common method in 2025.
Step 1: Create a Bootable Windows 11 USB Drive
On your secondary (working) computer:
- Go to the official Microsoft website:
https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11 - Download the Media Creation Tool or directly download the ISO file.
- Launch the tool and select:
- Language and edition: Windows 11 Home or Pro
- USB flash drive: Choose the correct drive letter
- Wait for the tool to download and write Windows 11 to the USB. This may take 10–15 minutes.
💡 Don’t remove the USB until the process is 100% complete and says “Ready.”
Step 2: Insert the USB and Access BIOS
On your newly built PC:
- Plug the bootable USB into a rear USB port (preferably USB 2.0 or 3.0).
- Power on your PC and immediately press the BIOS key:
- DEL or F2 for most motherboards
- You may see a prompt like “Press DEL to enter setup”
- In the BIOS:
- Go to the Boot menu
- Set the USB drive as the first boot device
- Disable Fast Boot (optional but recommended)
- Save and exit (F10)
💡 If your system supports UEFI boot mode, enable it for faster startup and better security.
Step 3: Begin Windows Installation
After saving BIOS settings, your PC will reboot and boot into the Windows setup screen.
- Select:
- Language (English)
- Time and currency
- Keyboard layout
- Click Next, then Install Now.
- Enter your Windows product key, or click “I don’t have a product key” to activate later with a Microsoft account.
- Choose the Windows edition that matches your license:
- Windows 11 Home
- Windows 11 Pro (for more features like BitLocker and Remote Desktop)
💡 Make sure the edition you choose matches your activation method.
Step 4: Choose Custom Installation
- Select Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).
- You’ll see your SSD or HDD listed as Drive 0.
- If your storage is unallocated:
- Click New, let Windows create necessary partitions
- Format the primary partition
- Select the primary partition (usually the largest one) and click Next.
Windows will now begin installing. This takes around 10–20 minutes depending on drive speed (faster on NVMe SSDs).
💡 Your PC may reboot several times during the process—this is normal.
Step 5: Complete Windows Setup
Once installation is complete:
- Choose your country, keyboard, and region again.
- Set up Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.
- Choose whether it’s a personal device or work/school PC.
- Log in with your Microsoft account or create an offline account (available through “Sign-in options”).
- Customize privacy settings:
- Location: On or Off
- Device tracking: Optional
- Diagnostics: Basic or Full
- Advertising ID: Recommended to disable for privacy
- Choose whether to enable OneDrive backup (optional).
💡 Windows will finalize settings and boot into the desktop after configuration.
Step 6: Install Motherboard and Driver Software
Even after Windows boots, performance and connectivity may be limited without proper drivers.
- Insert the motherboard driver USB (if included) or go to the official website using another device.
- Download and install:
- Chipset drivers
- LAN/Wi-Fi drivers
- Audio drivers
- NVMe or SATA drivers (if needed)
- Restart your PC after installation.
💡 Use manufacturer tools like MSI Center, ASUS Armoury Crate, or Gigabyte App Center to simplify updates.
Step 7: Update Windows and Activate
- Open Settings → Windows Update
Click Check for updates to install security patches and system updates. - To activate:
- If you skipped the key earlier, go to Settings → System → Activation
- Enter product key or log in with a Microsoft account linked to a digital license
💡 Activation is essential to personalize Windows, remove the watermark, and get full access.
Step 8: Install Essential Software
With Windows and drivers installed, it’s time to set up your favorite apps:
✅ Web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Brave)
✅ Antivirus (Windows Defender is solid in 2025)
✅ RGB or fan control software (if applicable)
✅ Steam, Epic Games Launcher, etc. for gaming
✅ Creative tools (Photoshop, DaVinci Resolve)
✅ Backup tools or cloud sync (OneDrive, Google Drive)
💡 You can also install software using Ninite for a one-click batch installer.
Troubleshooting Tips
If something doesn’t work as expected:
- No drives found? → Check BIOS and enable SATA or NVMe mode
- Can’t boot from USB? → Try a different port or re-create the boot drive
- Stuck on boot loop? → Recheck boot priority and disable secure boot
- No internet? → Install LAN/Wi-Fi drivers manually from motherboard site
💡 Reset BIOS settings to default if your PC doesn’t boot properly after changes.
Final Thoughts
Installing Windows 11 on a new PC in 2025 is easier than ever—but small mistakes can slow things down. By carefully preparing your USB, setting BIOS options, and installing drivers in the right order, you’ll ensure your system is ready for work, play, or content creation right out of the gate.
Take your time, double-check steps, and your PC will be running at its best in no time.