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Installing Windows 11 with the Media Creation Tool
Checking the Requirements (TPM, Secure Boot, CPU)
Windows 11 can only be installed on devices that meet certain minimum requirements. Check these first so the installation doesn't fail partway through.
| Component | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| Processor (CPU) | 1 GHz or faster, at least 2 cores, 64-bit, and on Microsoft's supported CPU list |
| Memory (RAM) | 4 GB or more |
| Storage | 64 GB or more |
| TPM | TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module — a security chip that protects keys) |
| Firmware | UEFI with Secure Boot enabled |
| Graphics/display | DirectX 12 / WDDM 2.0, display larger than 9 inches with 720p resolution |
In short: TPM 2.0 is a security chip on the motherboard or in the CPU. Secure Boot is a feature of modern firmware (UEFI) that prevents tampered software from loading at startup. Both are required for Windows 11.
Download Microsoft's PC Health Check app and run the test. It will tell you exactly which requirement, if any, isn't met. If TPM or Secure Boot are simply disabled, you can usually turn both on in the UEFI firmware — our UEFI/BIOS and boot menu guide shows you how.
What You'll Need
- A Windows PC with an internet connection to download the Media Creation Tool.
- An empty USB drive with at least 8 GB. Note: its entire contents will be erased during creation.
- The Media Creation Tool from the official Windows 11 download page (64-bit / x64 only).
- A valid Windows 11 license or product key — or a device with a digital license already stored in the firmware.
- A bit of time: budget roughly 45–90 minutes including updates.
Before You Start: Back Up Your Data
A clean installation (the "Custom" option) formats the target partition — all data stored on it is lost. Back up everything important beforehand.
- Copy personal files (documents, photos, videos, downloads) to an external drive or the cloud.
- Back up or note down browser bookmarks, passwords, and email accounts.
- Look up license keys for any installed programs.
- On a laptop, plug in the power adapter — the battery shouldn't run out during installation.
- Have your Windows 11 product key ready (if you have one).
- Note your device's network/Wi-Fi drivers in case no internet is available after installation.
Step by Step: Installing Windows 11
1Download the Media Creation Tool
Open Microsoft's official Windows 11 download page. In the "Create Windows 11 Installation Media" section, click Download now. Then run the downloaded file and accept the license terms.
2Plug in the USB drive
Plug in the empty USB drive (at least 8 GB). Make sure there are no important files on it, since the drive will be completely erased and reformatted.
3Choose language and architecture
The tool automatically suggests the recommended language and edition for your current PC. If you want different settings, uncheck "Use the recommended options for this PC" and choose the language you want. The architecture for Windows 11 is always 64-bit (x64).
4Choose "USB flash drive" as the media
Select USB flash drive (instead of "ISO file") and click Next. In the list, select your drive by its drive letter. Check carefully that you don't accidentally select an external hard drive instead.
5Create the installation media
The tool now downloads Windows 11 and writes it to the drive. Depending on your internet connection, this can take 15–30 minutes. Don't unplug the drive during this time. When it's done, the tool will say "Your USB flash drive is ready."
6Boot from the USB drive (boot menu)
Plug the drive into the target PC and turn it on. Open the boot menu right at startup to select the USB drive as the startup device. The key for this (often F12, F9, Esc, or Delete) varies by manufacturer — check your device's manual. See our UEFI/BIOS and boot menu guide for details.
7Set language and keyboard
Windows Setup starts. Choose the installation language, the time and currency format, and the keyboard layout (for the US, "US"), then click Next, followed by Install now.
8Enter a product key or skip it
Enter your product key. If Windows was previously activated on this device or a digital license is stored in the firmware, you can click I don't have a product key — Windows will activate itself later automatically via the online license.
9Choose an edition
If no key is stored, choose the edition that matches your license (e.g. Windows 11 Home or Pro). Important: the installed edition must match the license you purchased, or activation will fail later. On OEM devices with a firmware key, this screen often doesn't appear at all, because Setup detects the edition automatically.
10Choose Upgrade or "Custom"
After accepting the license terms, choose the installation type:
- Upgrade: Windows, files, settings, and apps are preserved. This option only appears if you launch Setup from within a running Windows installation.
- Custom: Install Windows only: a clean install. The selected partition is erased — ideal for a fresh start, but only with a prior backup.
11Choose a partition
In a custom installation, you'll see the drive's partitions. For a completely clean start, you can delete the existing partitions on the system drive and select the free space — Windows will automatically create the necessary structure (GPT). Be careful not to delete any data drives you want to keep.
12Wait for installation to finish
Windows now copies its files and restarts several times. Unplug the USB drive as soon as the PC restarts for the first time after the copy phase finishes — that way it boots from the hard drive instead of back into the USB setup.
13Initial setup (OOBE)
Next comes the OOBE (Out-of-Box Experience, the initial setup): region, keyboard, network/Wi-Fi, signing in with a Microsoft account, and privacy and sign-in options. Follow the prompts until you reach the desktop.
14Windows Update and drivers
After the first boot, open Settings → Windows Update and install all available updates. Windows will automatically download many drivers in the process. If a driver is still missing afterward (for example graphics or Wi-Fi), download it from the PC or motherboard manufacturer's website.
Common Problems and Solutions
"This PC can't run Windows 11"
This message appears when a requirement isn't met: unsupported CPU, TPM 2.0 disabled, Secure Boot off, less than 4 GB RAM, or under 64 GB storage. Enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot in the UEFI firmware (often labeled "Intel PTT" or "AMD fTPM") and check again with PC Health Check.
Error about the partition style (GPT/MBR)
If Setup reports that installation isn't possible on a drive with a certain partition style, boot the USB drive in UEFI mode. Alternatively, in the custom installation, delete all partitions on the target drive and select the free space — Windows will then automatically format it as GPT.
"No drive found"
If the internal SSD/hard drive doesn't appear (common with Intel RST/VMD), click Load driver in the partition step and install the appropriate storage controller driver from the PC or motherboard manufacturer — not from Microsoft.
The product key isn't accepted
The key is only valid for a specific edition. Make sure the installed edition (Home/Pro) matches the license. On OEM devices, activation happens automatically via the firmware key or digital license. Our Windows installation error guide covers further cases.
After Installation
- Install all updates via Settings → Windows Update and restart.
- Install any missing drivers (graphics, Wi-Fi, chipset) from the manufacturer.
- Check the activation status (see next section).
- Copy your personal data back from the backup.
- Install the programs you need and set up your browser accounts.
- Set up backups (e.g. Windows Backup or an external drive).
Checking Activation
Open Settings → System → Activation. There you can see whether Windows 11 is activated. If it isn't, enter a valid product key that matches the installed edition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I really need an empty USB drive for the Media Creation Tool?
What happens if my PC doesn't meet the requirements?
Will my files and programs be preserved?
Can I choose "I don't have a product key" in Setup?
Which edition should I choose?
How do I boot from the USB drive if the boot menu doesn't appear?
Do I need to remove the USB drive during installation?
Matching Licenses
Still need a matching Windows license for your installation? You'll find different editions in our shop. Make sure the edition matches your intended use.
More Guides
The complete overview of every way to install Windows 10 and 11.
Enable TPM and Secure Boot, open the boot menu, and start from a USB drive.
Solutions to the most common error messages during Windows installation.
An alternative to the MCT: create a bootable USB drive with Rufus.
Sources
- Download Windows 11 (Media Creation Tool): microsoft.com/de-de/software-download/windows11
- Windows 11 — specifications and system requirements: microsoft.com/de-de/windows/windows-11-specifications
- Supported processors: learn.microsoft.com — Windows processor requirements
- Enabling TPM 2.0: support.microsoft.com — Enabling TPM 2.0
- Windows 11 and Secure Boot: support.microsoft.com — Secure Boot
- Installing Windows 11: support.microsoft.com — Installing Windows 11
Last updated: July 2026
