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Install Windows 11

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Install

Paul Thurrott
Oct 13, 2025
1
comment

You can clean install Windows 11 on a PC in various ways, each of which…

Table of contents

Get to Know Windows 11

What’s New With Windows 11 in 2026

Upgrade to Windows 11

Upgrade

Install Windows 11

Install

Personalize Windows 11

Initial Configuration and Personalization
Customize Your Windows 11 Privacy Settings
Customize the Lock and Sign-In Screens

Desktop

Desktop
Start
Taskbar
Widgets
Windows Search
Quick Settings

Multitasking

Desktops
Do Not Disturb and Focus
Alt-Tab and Task View (24H2)
Snap (24H2)
Task Manager (24H2)
Clipboard (24H2)

Files

Storage
Backup
Windows Backup
Nearby Sharing (24H2)
File Explorer (24H2)
OneDrive (24H2)
Device Encryption (24H2)

Help and Recovery

Help and Recovery

Hardware

Windows Studio Effects
Phone Link (23H2)
Hardware Device Basics
Multiple Displays

Accounts

Windows Hello, Presence Sensing, and Dynamic Lock (23H2)
Work and School Accounts (23H2)
Microsoft Accounts (23H2)
Accounts Basics (23H2)
Multiple Accounts (23H2)
Accounts Used by Other Apps (23H2)
Local Accounts (24H2)

Security

Windows Update
Windows Security
Windows Defender
Find My Device
Secure Your Microsoft Account
Passkeys and Security Keys
Passkeys (25H2)
Account Security Basics (25H2)

Internet and Networking

Networking Basics
Internet Connectivity

Apps

Apps

Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge Shopping
Microsoft Edge and Web Apps
Microsoft Edge Security and Privacy
Set Up Microsoft Edge Correctly … Whether You Use It Or Not
Microsoft Edge Basics (23H2)
Reading with Microsoft Edge (23H2)
Microsoft Edge Collections (23H2)

Productivity Apps

Copilot (23H2)
Snipping Tool, Screenshots, and Screen Recordings (23H2)
Notepad

Digital Media

Photos
Media Player
Movies & TV
Camera
Clipchamp
Sound Recorder
Paint

Xbox and Games

XBOX PC and Games

Command Line

Terminal
Command Prompt
Linux
Windows Package Manager

Virtualization

Hyper-V
Windows Sandbox

Archived - 22H2

Windows 11 Hardware Requirements and Recommendations
Create Windows 11 Install Media
What’s New and Familiar in Windows 11
What’s Missing in Windows 11
Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11
Clean Install
Step-By-Step: The Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE)
Upgrade to Windows 11 on Unsupported Hardware
Overcome Windows 11 Setup Annoyances
Windows 11 Personalization First Steps
Customize Your Privacy Settings
Customize the Display
Customize the Lock and Sign-In Screens
Desktop
Start
Taskbar
Widgets
Search
Quick Settings
Alt-Tab (Archived)
Task View (Archived)
Shake (Archived)
Snap
Task Manager (Archived)
Clipboard (Archived)
File Explorer
Nearby Sharing (Archived)
OneDrive
Device Encryption (Archived)
Wi-Fi (Archived)
Ethernet
Cellular Data
Airplane Mode
Mobile Hotspot
Set Up Microsoft Edge Correctly
Microsoft Edge Basics
Reading with Microsoft Edge (22H2 archive)
Microsoft Edge Collections (22H2 Archive)
Quick Assist
Recovery Drive
Reset This PC
Accounts Basics
Microsoft Accounts
Work and School Accounts
Local Accounts
Windows Hello and Dynamic Lock
Email and Other Accounts
Multiple Accounts
Devices Basics
USB
Bluetooth
Displays
Phone Link
Keyboards, Mice, and Touchpads
Touch, Pen, and Tablet
Printers and Scanners
Troubleshooting
Apps Basics
Microsoft Store
Notifications
Android Apps
Mail
Calendar
Microsoft 365
Xbox and Games Basics
Xbox Game Bar (Archived)
Xbox App
Screenshots and Screen Recordings
What’s New and Familiar in Windows 11 Version 23H2
What’s Missing in Windows 11 Version 23H2
Windows 11 Version 23H2 Hardware Requirements and Recommendations
Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 Version 23H2
Upgrade to Windows 11 Version 23H2 on Unsupported Hardware
Create Windows 11 Version 23H2 Installation Media
Step-by-Step: Windows Setup First-Boot Experience
Step-By-Step: Windows Setup Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE)
Overcome Windows Setup Annoyances
OneDrive (23H2) (Archived)
Copilot
File Explorer (23H2) (Archived)
Apps Basics (23H2)
Windows 11 Version 23H2 Personalization First Steps (Archived)
Customize the Display (23H2) (Archived)
Customize the Lock and Sign-In Screens (23H2) (Archived)
Customize Your Privacy Settings (23H2) (Archived)
Desktop (23H2)
Start (23H2)
Taskbar (23H2)
Widgets (23H2)
Search (23H2) (Archived)
Quick Settings (23H2) (Archived)
Notifications (23H2)
Dynamic Lighting
Local Accounts (23H2) (Archived)
Widgets (23H2, M5) (Archived)
Snap (23H2 + Moment 5) (Archived)
Microsoft Store (24H2)
Reinstall Windows with Windows Update
Desktop (24H2) (Archived)
Start (24H2)
Taskbar (24H2)
What’s New and Familiar in Windows 11 (24H2)
What’s Missing in Windows 11 (24H2)
Windows 11 and Copilot+ PC Hardware Requirements and Recommendations (24H2)
Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 (24H2)
Upgrade to Windows 11 on Unsupported Hardware (24H2)
Create Windows 11 Installation Media (24H2)
Step-by-Step: Windows 11 Setup First-Boot Experience (24H2)
Step-By-Step: Windows 11 Setup Out-of-Box Experience (24H2)
Overcome Windows 11 Setup Annoyances (24H2)
Windows 11 Personalization First Steps (24H2)
Customize the Display (24H2)
Customize the Lock and Sign-In Screens (24H2)
Customize Your Windows 11 Privacy Settings (24H2)
Widgets (24H2)
Search (24H2)
Quick Settings (24H2)
Game Bar (24H2)
Wi-Fi (24H2)
Quick Machine Recovery (25H2)

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