Installing Windows 11 on a New PC Build — It’s Easier Than You Think
So you’ve put together that shiny new PC and can’t wait to see it running Windows 11. Fair dinkum, diving into OS installation can feel a bit daunting, especially if you’re not used to tinkering with BIOS settings and bootable drives. Kinda weird at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s not as scary as it seems. Think of it like setting up that tricky IKEA flatpack — just needs a bit of patience and maybe a breather now and then.
First Up: Create Your Bootable USB
You’ll need a USB stick, at least 8 GB, to get started. Download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s website. This little wizard does most of the hard yakka in prepping your USB for the install. Fair go, it can be a bit slow at times, especially if your internet’s sluggish, but just hold tight.
Sometimes the process can be a bit temperamental — it might freeze at 99%, or the USB might play ‘hard to get’ during the BIOS boot stage. If that happens, try restarting the tool or your PC and give it another crack. Once it’s done, your USB will be all set — like a golden ticket to install Windows.
Plug the USB into Your New Build
With your USB ready, power off your PC completely and plug it in. Sounds simple enough, right? But plugging it in while the system’s switched on can cause problems. Make sure it’s snug in the port, preferably a rear USB port — those front ones can be a bit dodgy sometimes.
Now, it’s that key moment where you tell your PC to boot from the USB instead of the internal drive. Get ready — you’re headed into BIOS territory.
Getting Into BIOS — Welcome to the Jungle
Turn on your PC and start smashing the BIOS key right away. It’s usually Delete, F2, or Esc, depending on your motherboard. Not sure? No worries — a quick look at your motherboard manual or a quick Google will sort it out.
In the BIOS, head to the Boot menu — it might be called Boot Options or Boot Priority. Set your USB drive to be the first in the boot order. BIOS menus can be intimidating — options can look pretty similar, and it’s easy to get a bit lost. Just look for something called “Boot Order” or similar. If you stumble, don’t stress — even the experts often find some options in weird spots.
You might also need to fiddle with Secure Boot or CSM settings — BIOS can be a bit of a game sometimes! If you’re stuck, try disabling Secure Boot temporarily, especially if your USB drive isn’t signed. It can make life a lot easier.
Start the Windows 11 Installation
Save your BIOS changes — usually with F10 — and restart your PC. If all goes well, you’ll see the Windows setup screen. It might take a while to load, so maybe grab a cuppa. Keep an eye out — sometimes install processes can hang or freeze. If it stops or seems stuck, give it a reboot and try again; USB connections can be a bit temperamental.
Follow the prompts for language and keyboard layout — mostly just clicking “Next” and “Install now.” If it asks for a product key, you can select “I don’t have a product key” and activate later.
If you want to speed things up, you can run this in Command Prompt:
MediaCreationTool.exe /Eula Accept /RetailFinishing Up — Getting Through the Setup
Once the installation finishes, Windows will ask about region and Wi-Fi. You can connect your Microsoft account if you like, or keep it local for more privacy. It’s mostly just a matter of following the prompts.
Patience is the name of the game here. Double-check your hardware connections before you start — helps avoid issues. Also, make sure your build meets Windows 11’s specs to avoid those annoying errors during set-up.
You can check your TPM status by typing tpm.msc into the Run box (Windows + R). For Secure Boot, have a look under Security in BIOS. And keep that motherboard manual handy — it’s gold when hunting for the obscure settings.
If things go awry, rechecking the boot order and Secure Boot settings usually sorts it out. Sometimes resetting BIOS to defaults clears up any weirdness caused by tinkering. And if you change any BIOS settings, make a note — one wrong turn can send your system into a spin!
All up, installing Windows 11 on a new build is a bit of trial and error, but mostly just patience. Sure, there’ll be the odd hiccup — like USBs acting up or BIOS hiding options — but the satisfaction when it all lines up makes it worth the effort. By the next build, it’ll probably feel like second nature.