Step-By-Step

We’ll go over essential information and tips to get an issueless fresh Windows installation.
To keep these steps concise, I’ll only add the essentials along with links to related resources for more detailed information.

I personally always use a bootable usb stick for installation, there’s other ways like installing from the mounted ISO, using Windows Update or Windows Installation Assistant, might be more convenient but I rather stick to usb boot installation for my offline installations.

Note

📌 This is a streamlined installation process.
Click on each step for more detailed information and links to resources.

Step 0: Preparation ✅

Preparation Checklist:

• USB stick 🔌 with at least 8GB of space.
• Backup essential files 🔄

For backup tips, see our Backup section.

Step 1: Choose Your Windows ISO 💿

This guide focuses on installing Windows 11. In my experience, a properly installed Windows 11 setup often delivers better performance than Windows 10. Since Windows 10 support will be ending soon, I recommend opting for the most recent, updated version for a stable environment.

Choosing Your Version and Edition

As I mentioned earlier, I generally recommend choosing the latest available version, unless specific issues (like known bugs) suggest otherwise.

Partition Type and Secure Boot

📅 Current Recommendation (as of 11/2024): The latest version 24H2 and build 26100.1742 are stable for both general and gaming use, assuming correct configuration.

Regarding the "Consumer", "Business", and "Enterprise" builds: in the vast majority of cases, you only need "Consumer". This build includes the Home, Pro, and Education versions, which are suitable for personal or semi-professional needs.

Downloading the ISO

To download your ISO file, I recommend:

• Massgrave for reliable Windows 11 ISOs.
• Alternatively, the official Microsoft Website, though updates may sometimes be delayed.

Step 2: Make a Bootable USB with Rufus 🔌

I won’t go into too much detail here, as there are already many comprehensive tutorials on creating a bootable USB. (links below)

• Download RUFUS

Partition Type and Secure Boot

Ensure you select the correct partition type for your system.
This can be checked using these PowerShell commands or in your System Info panel under the BIOS Info line.

Check Partition Type :

(Get-Disk -Number (Get-Partition -DriveLetter $env:SystemDrive.Substring(0, 1)).DiskNumber).PartitionStyle

And Secure Boot :

Confirm-SecureBootUEFI

During the creation, a Windows User Experience window will appear. I recommend checking all the boxes, especially the option to bypass the Microsoft account requirement.

External Tutorials

If you need more guidance, here are some helpful resources:

• Text Tutorial: Create Windows 11 Bootable USB Installation Media with Rufus
• Video Tutorial: How to Create a Bootable USB for Windows

Step 3: Boot from the USB ⬆️

Internet Disconnection Required

Disconnect from the Internet (unplug ethernet cable or disable Wi-Fi) before installation. This will help avoid Microsoft account requirements and allows you to install your own drivers before Windows Update if needed.

To begin installation, you’ll need to boot your computer from the USB drive.

1. Find Your Boot/BIOS Key
   The boot key varies by device; common keys include Del, Esc, F2, F9, F8, F10, F11, and F12. You can check your motherboard manual or look it up online for the exact key.
2. Choose the USB Drive
   Once in the boot menu, select your USB drive to boot from it. Alternatively, enter the BIOS settings and adjust the boot order to prioritize the USB drive.
3. Post-Installation Step
   After installation, unplug the USB or change the boot order back to its original setting to prevent restarting the installer.

Alternative Method: Using Windows Recovery Environment

You can also boot from the USB via Windows Recovery Environment with the following command:

shutdown /r /t 1 /o

• After rebooting, a screen will display: "Choose an option".
• Click on "Use a device" and then select your USB drive.

Step 4: Windows Setup 🪟

Follow the setup steps:

• Choose your system language and keyboard input.
• Either enter your product key if you own one, or simply click "I don't have a product key" at the bottom (we’ll activate it for free later with the Massgrave activator).
• You’ll need to choose between Home, Education, and Pro editions. I recommend Home for typical use. (Go here if you think you need Pro or Education)

Avoid N Versions

⚠️ Avoid N versions of Windows 11. These versions lack essential multimedia features by default and may require additional setup.

Owned License

🗒️ Note: If you already own a Windows license, check which version it's compatible with before proceeding.

• If you see options like "Upgrade: Install Windows and keep files, settings, and applications" and "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)", select the second option.
• Next, you should only have one drive connected (or at least have labeled the partitions so you know which one to delete).
• Use the Delete button to delete all partitions from the drive (always from the bottom up to avoid bugs). Windows will handle the partitioning automatically, so there's no need to use the "New" button to create partitions.

⚠️ If you don't see any drives, you probably need Intel (IRST) drivers.

• Wait for the installation to complete and for your PC to reboot.
• Skip any steps related to Microsoft accounts if they somehow appear.
• If you didn't create your installation drive with Rufus, you may be blocked at this step without internet for the Microsoft account setup. Here’s a simple bypass:
  • Open CMD with SHIFT + F10 and send this command: OOBE\BYPASSNRO
  • Your computer will restart, and now you will have the "I don't have Internet" option.

Windows Account

💡 Tips:

• Avoid special characters and spaces in your Windows username.
• Feel free to leave the password field empty if you don't want one.

🔔 Reminder: Keep your PC disconnected from the internet for now.

Step 5: Drivers Installation 🛠️

For driver installation, you generally have three options:

1. Install them manually
2. Let Windows Update handle the installation
3. Use a tool like SnappyDriver or Driverscloud

Driver Installation Warning

Use driver software with extra caution. It’s not uncommon for these tools to install useless, outdated, or even faulty drivers.

My personal recommendation is to manually install drivers only when necessary (e.g., if a specific device or motherboard component isn’t working). You can usually find the latest drivers on the manufacturer's website.

The essential drivers to install manually include:

• Graphics drivers (for your GPU or integrated graphics in your CPU)
• Intel Dynamic Tuning and CPPC drivers, if available for your hardware

Tip

💡 Take advantage of your PC’s offline state to install specific drivers or make other adjustments without automatic updates interfering.

Step 6: Windows Activation 🔑

To activate Windows:

1. Visit Massgrave to find the command.
2. Run this command in PowerShell:

   irm https://get.activated.win | iex

Note

💡 Only use PowerShell for this command; it will not work in CMD.

Tip

💡 You can also activate Microsoft Office applications with the same command.

Step 7: Windows Settings ⚙️

Follow these recommended settings to optimize your Windows experience:

1. Set Up Time & Language
   Go to 🪟 key → Settings → Time & Language. Add any needed languages and ensure you have the correct keyboard layout.
2. Configure Display Settings
   Right-click on the desktop and select Display Settings. Choose the correct refresh rate (Hz) and resolution for your monitor.
   Also, adjust brightness and enable Night Mode if desired. For finer control, consider using LightBulb.
3. Adjust Mouse Settings
   Turn off mouse acceleration ?
4. Change DNS
   Update your DNS settings to a privacy-focused provider.
   You can find recommended DNS servers here and a tutorial for changing DNS on Windows 11 here.
5. Power & Sleep Settings
   Customize power and sleep settings to suit your usage, prioritizing either performance or battery savings as needed.
6. Configure Windows Defender
   Disabling Windows Defender is generally not recommended unless you’re an advanced user. However, certain features can impact system performance, so I recommend turning these off selectively:
   • Reputation-Based Protection
     This feature can slow down program installations or executions.
   • Core Isolation
     May lead to FPS drops during gaming or other performance issues.
7. (Optional) Disable Windows Animation Effects
   Disabling animations can improve performance, especially on older or slower hardware. Follow instructions here if needed.

Step 8: Software Installation 📦

Here are the essential programs to install:

1. Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Runtimes
   Use an All-in-One bundle available here.
2. DirectX Runtime
   Download from Microsoft's website.

   Danger

   ⚠️ Be sure to untick "Bing Bar" during installation.
3. Install a Privacy-Focused Browser
   Consider using:
   • Brave
   • Ungoogled Chromium
   • LibreWolf
   After installation, add the uBlock Origin extension for ad blocking and privacy.

   Caution

   ⚠️ Avoid removing Microsoft Edge using debloaters, as this can interfere with Windows updates and system functions.
4. Additional Apps
   Check our Tools section for more recommended software.

Step 9: Windows Tweaking ✨ (Optional)

This step is completely optional. Some users might be comfortable and satisfied with Windows 11's standard UI, but if you're looking to customize, here are the main elements I personally tweak and the tools I use.

Start Menu Customization

You can customize the Start Menu according to your preference with the following tools:

• StartAllBack
  My preferred option, though it requires 🔑 activation. StartAllBack retains a modern style while making the UI clearer and more streamlined.
• OpenShell
  Ideal if you prefer a more old-school look, similar to Windows 7.
• Windhawk
  A versatile tool that offers more customization options.

Right-Click Context Menu Customization

Choose from the following options to adjust the right-click context menu:

• CMD Command
  A simple command in CMD can restore the old context menu.
• Windows11Fixer or Windhawk
  If you prefer a one-click option, these tools offer context menu customization along with other useful features.

Other Visual Settings

Additional visual settings to personalize your Windows experience:

• Remove "Learn about this picture" Icon on the desktop
  Remove the Windows Spotlight desktop icon as shown here.
• Taskbar Settings
  In Taskbar settings, you can disable/customize certain features if you wish, such as:
  • The left widget in the taskbar
  • The "TaskView" button
  • The Search box
• Notification Area Customization
  Adjust Notification Area settings to show all programs or only the ones you select.

Step 10: Testing 🔍 (Optional)

You can run these tests to ensure your hardware is functioning correctly:

• Peripheral Testing :
  Devicetests.com: Test various peripherals such as your mouse, keyboard, monitor, or even internet connection.
• Storage Testing :
  CrystalDiskInfo: Check the health and status of your SSD or HDD.
• Memory Testing :
  Memtest86: Run tests to ensure your RAM is stable and error-free.
• CPU Testing :
  CPU-Z or Cinebench: Benchmark and test your CPU for stability and performance.
• GPU & Power Supply Unit (PSU) Testing :
  OCCT: Test your PSU, CPU, and GPU simultaneously for load and stability.
• Temperature Monitoring :
  LibreHardwareMonitor: Monitor temperatures of all your components to ensure they are within safe operating ranges.
  Find more alternatives to LibreHardwareMonitor in the Tools section under "System Information Monitoring".

🔔 (Even though it's optional, I recommend doing it on new hardware)