Clean Install

You use a wizard-based application called Windows Setup to install and configure Windows 11. This process involves two phases, the first-boot experience, which is only used when you perform a so-called clean install of Windows 11, and the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE), which is friendlier and more graphical and helps you configure the system for your needs.

If you are installing Windows 11 on a new PC---perhaps one you've built or purchased---or would like to repave an existing PC, you are performing a clean install and will boot the PC from USB installation media as described in Create Windows 11 Install Media and will encounter both Setup phases.

However, if you are configuring Windows 11 for the first time on a new PC, you can skip directly to Step-By-Step: The Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE). The steps described here are only for those performing a clean install.

Once you have booted the PC with your Windows 11 installation media---the instructions vary by PC, so please check with your PC maker or the firmware vendor for your PC---you will encounter the Windows Setup first-boot experience, which generally follows these steps:

Windows Setup. The initial screen will offer three options to customize: Language to install, Time and currency format, and Keyboard or input method. They should be set to the correct choices already, but it's always a good idea to scan them before proceeding.

Install now. Here, you can choose between the prominent "Install now" link and a less obvious "Repair your computer link." Choose "Install now."
That latter choice boots your PC into the Windows Recovery Environment, which is used to perform offline maintenance or recover Windows.
Activate Windows. If you purchased Windows 11 from Microsoft or another retailer, you received a 25-character product key that can be used to activate the OS. You can enter that now if you like, but there's no need to do so. Just click the "I don't have a product key" link instead. You can always enter the product key later if required, but since Windows 11 is a free upgrade to Windows 10, it's possible you won't need to activate it if this PC previously ran Windows 10.

Select the operating system you want to install. If you didn't enter your product key and you created Setup media with the Media Creation tool, you will be prompted to choose between various Windows 11 product editions, including Windows 11 Home, Education, and Pro, and possibly others. Choose the correct product edition here.

Warning: Be sure to choose the product edition that matches your product key or you won't be able to activate it later. If you are clean installing Windows 11 on a PC that previously ran Windows 10, you must choose the same product edition. If you don't, Windows 11 won't activate.
Applicable notices and license terms. You must agree to the terms of the Microsoft software license terms before you can proceed.

Which type of installation do you want? Here, you can cho...

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