How to Install Windows 11 from USB BIOS
Thinking of upgrading or installing Windows 11? Booting from a USB through BIOS might look a bit intimidating at first, but honestly, it’s one of the easier ways to do it — especially if you’re swapping out a hard drive or dealing with a stubborn system that won’t cooperate. Basically, you make a bootable USB stick, tell your BIOS to boot from it, and follow the Windows setup. Sounds a bit techy, but once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty straightforward.
Create that Bootable USB
First up, grab a USB stick with at least 8GB of space. Anything less, and you might run into issues. Head over to the Microsoft website and download the Windows 11 media creation tool. This little bloke does the hard yakka when it comes to making your USB bootable — just remember, it’ll wipe everything off the drive, so back up your important bits first.
Once downloaded, pop in the USB and run the media creation tool (run MediaCreationTool.exe). It’ll guide you through the steps — choosing the USB, downloading Windows 11, and turning it into a bootable device. The naming conventions can be a bit confusing (why is there a “Misc” instead of “Boot”?), but just go with it. After some time, you’ll be good to go.
Getting into BIOS/UEFI
Next, restart your PC, but the tricky part is hitting the right key during startup. Usually, it’s F2, F12, Delete, or Esc — it depends on the brand. Look out for a quick message telling you which key to press; it flashes by fast. Some systems let you jump straight in from Windows by running a command: shutdown /r /fw in an admin Command Prompt or PowerShell — that’ll take you straight into the firmware settings if it’s supported.
Once you’re in BIOS or UEFI, it might feel a bit strange — like you’ve entered a different universe. This menu controls how your hardware starts up. Navigating it can be a wild ride—some are tidy and easy to use, others look like they were put together in a shed in the ’90s. The main goal is to get your PC to boot from the USB you just made.
Set the USB as Your Boot Priority
Time to make some changes. Find the boot menu (usually under a tab called “Boot” or similar). You’ll see a list of devices — your hard drives, USBs, and more. Move your USB to the top of the list. If you’re running a UEFI system, you might need to disable Secure Boot first. Look for the Secure Boot option, often under Security or Boot menus, and switch it to Disabled.
Sometimes, the system doesn’t recognise your USB right away. If that happens, try unplugging it and plugging it back in, maybe into a different port — USB 2.0 ports are usually more reliable for booting. When it finally shows up, make sure it’s at the top of the boot order — you can usually change this with + / - keys or through a menu.
Save and Exit BIOS
Once you’ve set the USB as your primary boot device, don’t forget to save. Look for a Save & Exit option or just press F10 — many BIOS setups use that. Confirm any prompts, and then it’ll reboot. Sometimes, it’s a bit of a gamble whether it’ll boot from USB first go, but usually it does. If not, double-check your settings.
After a successful boot, Windows 11’s setup screen should pop up. From there, it’s plain sailing.
Installing Windows 11
You’ll be back in familiar territory now. Choose your language, region, and keyboard layout. When asked, decide if you want to upgrade or do a clean install — a clean install usually clears out all the old clutter. Follow the prompts — if you’ve got a product key, you can enter it now or skip and sort it later. The installer will take care of copying files, setting up features, and presenting you with the fresh Windows 11 interface.
Once it’s done installing, your PC will reboot into Windows 11. You’ll go through some final setup steps — picking your account, connecting to Wi-Fi, and setting preferences. Be prepared for some updates to roll in afterwards — it’s normal. Check for updates under Settings > Windows Update or type ms-settings:windowsupdate into the Run box (Win + R) if you like.
Tips for a Smooth Ride
Here are a few handy tips to make things easier. First, ensure your USB is empty or backed up — nobody wants to lose data mid-install. Second, double-check that your PC meets Windows 11’s requirements (the Windows PC Health Check tool is handy for that). Keep your device plugged in during the whole process — power cuts are not your friend here. Have your product key ready to avoid last-minute stress. If BIOS is giving you grief, check your motherboard manual or look online — BIOS menus can be tricky to navigate. For UEFI systems, you can enter firmware settings from Windows by going to Settings > System > Recovery, then clicking Advanced startup, and choosing Reboot now.
FAQs
What if my PC doesn’t boot from the USB?
First, make sure the USB is inserted properly and is set as the first boot device. Sometimes, it’s a UEFI vs. legacy BIOS issue — try toggling Boot Mode or UEFI/Legacy Boot in BIOS. If that doesn’t work, try recreating the bootable USB — files can get corrupted sometimes, and a new one might do the trick.
Can I go back to Windows 10 after installing Windows 11?
Yes, but only for a limited time — Microsoft allows a 10-day window to roll back, as long as the Windows.old folder is still there. Head to Settings > System > Recovery and click Go back. Missed that window? You’ll need to do a fresh install using a Windows 10 ISO or recovery media.
Why isn’t my USB drive showing up in BIOS?
Try different USB ports because some ports won’t support booting. Check your BIOS settings to ensure USB ports are enabled. If you’re on UEFI and it’s not showing up, try enabling CSM (Compatibility Support Module). Updating your motherboard’s BIOS might also help clear up detection issues.
How long does the install take?
Usually between 20 and 40 minutes, but it depends on your hardware — an SSD will be quicker than an old HDD. Hang in there; slower systems just take their time.
Is it safe to use third-party tools for making a bootable USB?
It’s best to stick with Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool. Third-party options can sometimes carry malware or produce wonky USB drives. If you do want to try tools like Rufus or Ventoy, make sure you download them from reputable sources and check their hashes.
All in all, installing Windows 11 from a USB via BIOS isn’t too bad once you get the hang of it. Just make that bootable USB, jump into BIOS, set the boot priority right, and follow the prompts. It might take a couple of attempts, especially if BIOS gives you grief, but you’ll end up with a fresh copy of Windows ready to go. Getting familiar with BIOS helps a lot — once you know your way around, it’s a breeze.