When troubleshooting your Windows 11 system for any critical error or performance issues, consider reinstalling Windows 11. As Windows 11 has a built-in recovery option, it will allow you to easily reinstall the operating system and at the same time keep your personal files safe. So, do you know how to Reinstall it? No need to worry if you don’t. Here is a post on how to reinstall Windows 11.
If you always get the Blue screen of Death (BSOD) error or your PC gets slow or frequently hangs then it is best to reduce the downtime and loss of work. You can do these by reinstalling Windows 11. If your PC is at fault and fails to boot up then what do you do in such a situation? You will probably think of resetting your PC, won’t you?
So, if you are looking for how to reinstall Windows 11, then are a few ways to do it, like reinstalling Windows from bootable USB, from recovery mode, etc. Whatever the reason, reinstalling Windows 11 can be confusing.
Since there are so many steps involved in the process, so here get yourself some help by reading the steps mentioned below!
How To Reinstall Windows 11 From A Bootable USB?
Creating a bootable USB to freshly install Windows has indeed been one of the most tested ways on how to reinstall Windows 11. Also, as it uses a lot of software so creating one has become very easy. But before you make a bootable USB you will need a few things:
- A Windows computer
- Windows 11 ISO file
- 8 GB USB flash drive
Related: How To Create A Local Account On Windows 11?
How To Create A Bootable USB?
Though there are many software with which you can create a bootable USB here we will use Rufus. First, visit the rufus.ie website. Then from the download section, you will have to tap on the latest version of Rufus.
After you have downloaded it, just double click on Rufus and then run it from the download directory of your PC. You need to remember that Rufus is an executable file so installation is not needed on your computer.
Now you need to plug in the USB. If just a single USB drive is connected then Rufus will automatically choose it. Or else you have to select the drive by selecting from the drop-down menu which you will find under the Device section.
Next under the Boot Selection field press on the drop-down menu and then the option Disk or ISO image. Next, you have to tap on the Select button so that you can choose the Windows 11 ISO file from your local storage.
Now under the image option field click on the drop-down and choose the standard Windows installation option. Under partition scheme choose GPT if the targeted system is in UEFI BIOS Mode or you can even choose MBR if the machine runs on the Legacy BIOS System.
Now, Rufus will show the name of your drive, file system, and the cluster size of the bootable USB drive. Lastly, press the Start button to create a bootable USB drive. Read the alert, click on OK and then start the process.
Related: How Windows 11 Will Change Your PC – Making Your System Best Than Ever
How To Install Windows 11 From A Bootable USB?
Now that we have created the Windows 11 bootable USB it’s now time to install Windows 11 from it. Firstly, switch off your system and then switch it on again. As soon as you see the display lights, then on your keyboard press the F12 key to enter the BIOS menu. You may even get to see an indicator since your system is preparing to enter the BIOS menu.
Once you are in the BIOS menu just choose the option USB storage device and then press on enter button. Your system may take a few seconds or a few minutes to get things running. So, it is advised that during this time you don’t turn off your system even if your system is stuck. You will surely see the Windows setup screen in some time.
Now, from the Windows setup screen Select your preferred language, keyboard layout, and time format, by pressing on to the individual drop-down menu. Then you have to press on Next button from the lower right-hand side corner of the screen.
At the centre of the screen, you will find the Install Now button, click on it. As you are reinstalling Windows so you have to press on the option that says “I don’t have a product key” which you will find at the bottom section of the screen. If you want to change the Windows version then you can even enter the new product key in the space given. Then choose the Next button.
Now select the version of Windows 11 you want to install and then press the Next button which you will find on the screen. After you read the End User License Agreement (EULA) check the checkbox and then click on the Next button.
Now on the next screen, you have to select between the two types of installation. If you want to remove all your personal folders, files, and apps then you have to choose the option Custom: Install Windows Only option. But, if you want to keep your files and folder in place then choose the option Upgrade: Install Windows and keep files, settings, and application.
Choose the partition you want to reinstall the Windows and then click on the Next button. Here you will get an alert in regards to the information of your files. Read it and then press the OK option. Now Windows will start to install on your computer. This process can take many hours and your system also may restart many times but be assured that this is a natural behavior. That’s how to reinstall Windows 11.
Related: How To Install Windows 11 – Update & Direct Download Links
How To Reinstall Windows 11 From Recovery Mode?
If you want to know how to reinstall Windows 11 from the recovery mode, then here’s what you need to do. If you see that your PC is acting weird as soon as you sign in to your device or if you have forgotten your device’s password then you can easily reinstall Windows from the recovery mode. If you want to boot your PC in the Recovery Mode directly from the sign-in screen just press the power button.
You will find this button at the bottom right-hand side corner of the screen and then, you have to press and hold the Shift key while you press the restart option from the power menu. Your Windows PC will now restart and will boot into the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). When you are in the recovery environment choose the option of Troubleshoot and then press Enter.
Now from the Troubleshoot screen press the Reset this PC option . Next if you want your apps, files, and folders to be removed then choose the option, Remove everything. Or else just click on the option Keep my files which you will find on the screen.
Now you have to select the Cloud Download if you want to download the fresh system files and then press the Local Reinstall option so that you use the files that are there on your local storage. On the next screen, you gotto select the option Only the drive where Windows are installed. By choosing this option you will only format the Windows installer drive. If you want to format all your drives then select the option All drives.
Now just press on the Just remove all files so that your files get deleted. If you don’t want to recover any personal files then just press on the option Fully Clean the Drive. Lastly, Windows will show all the impacts of resetting your machine as per your preferred settings. Read then and then click on the reset button.
Related: Windows 11 System Requirements – For Upgrading Windows 10
Wrapping Up:
So, these were the two easiest ways how to reinstall Windows 11. Though the process will take time to reinstall these surely are the easiest ways. Do give it a try.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How To Backup Data Before Windows Reinstallation?
If you want to back up your data before you reinstall your Windows then here are a few steps to do. Here we have used a third-party app: MiniTool ShadowMaker. Firstly, you have to download and install this app and follow the given steps.
- Double click on the MiniTool ShadowMaker icon to launch it.
- To back up the files or folder press on the Source section which you will find under the backup tab. Tap on the folder and files and then choose the items that you want to backup, OK.
- Press on the destination and select a path where you want to save your backup files.
- Press the Back Up Now option.
Q. How To Reinstall Windows 11 From Settings?
To reinstall Windows 11 from settings here’s what you need to do:
- Press Win and I keys on your keyboard to open the Windows 11 settings.
- Go to the Settings page, press on Recovery, and then come down to Recovery options.
- Press on the Rest PC from the reset this PC area.
- A window will pop up and will ask you to select an option to continue.
- You will get a popup that will ask you to decide whether to install Windows 11 from the cloud or locally. Choose the option on the basis of your needs.
- You will be able to see the recent settings for resetting your PC in the new window. Press on the Next option.
- Windows will show you the things that resetting does. Press on the reset button so that you start the reinstallation process.
