Starting fresh with Windows 11 means erasing your old files, apps, and settings from the intended installation disk. You’ll create Microsoft installation media, boot from it, and install Windows after deleting that disk’s partitions. Back up everything you want to keep before you begin.
Prepare before you erase anything
Get these essentials ready before creating your installer.
- 1.Back up the files you want to keep.
- 2.Retain your BitLocker recovery key for recovery tools that request it.
- 3.Confirm the Windows edition covered by your license so you can select the matching edition during installation.
- 4.Identify the disk you intend to erase, especially when your PC has multiple drives.
- 5.For Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool, prepare an empty USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of space and a compatible x64 PC.
Create your Windows 11 installation USB
Open Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page. It currently offers version 25H2.
Under Create Windows 11 Installation Media, select Download Now. Run the downloaded Media Creation Tool as administrator. Select Accept to accept the license terms. Choose the language and edition for your installation.
Select USB flash drive as the media type. Choose your empty USB drive. Complete media creation using the tool’s remaining prompts.
Tip: The Media Creation Tool creates x64 media only; for an Arm-based PC, use the Arm64 instructions below.
Start the PC from the installer
Boot the target PC from your completed installation USB using the manufacturer’s startup instructions. There is no universal hardware shortcut for selecting it.
Booting from the media gives you the partition-deletion workflow. Running setup.exe inside Windows opens a different installation workflow.
For a DVD alternative, download the official Windows 11 ISO from Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices on Microsoft’s download page. You need a sufficiently large DVD, including a dual-layer disc when required by the image size.
Right-click the downloaded ISO and select Burn disc image to create the installation DVD. If that command is missing, right-click the ISO, select Properties, and on the General tab select Change next to Opens with. Choose Windows Explorer, select Apply, then right-click the ISO again and select Burn disc image.
If USB startup fails and your PC supports DVD booting, try booting from that DVD.
Continue through Windows Setup
These steps apply once you’ve booted compatible installation media, including on a new or replacement system drive. Your media and drivers must match the PC’s architecture.
Choose your language settings. Select Next. Choose your keyboard settings. Select Next.
Select Install Windows 11. Select I agree everything will be deleted including files, apps, and settings. Select Next.
Enter your product key when prompted, or select I don't have a product key for an appropriately licensed reinstall. Select the Windows edition that matches your license. Select Accept to accept the license terms.
Erase the correct disk and install Windows
This is the point of erasure, so check the disk’s identity before deleting anything.
- 1.At Select location to install Windows 11, identify the intended installation disk. Microsoft’s example uses Disk 0; confirm that it’s your target before proceeding.
- 2.Select each partition on that disk and use Delete Partition until only unallocated space remains. Leave every other disk untouched.
- 3.Select the target disk’s unallocated space. In Microsoft’s example, the entry is Disk 0 Unallocated Space.
- 4.Select Next.
- 5.Select Install to begin installation.
- 6.Complete the initial Windows setup when installation finishes.
Reset Windows without installation media
Use a reset to remove your files, apps, and settings without Setup’s partition-deletion workflow. It requires functioning recovery components, and manufacturer customizations return when the reset includes their restoration.
Open Settings > System > Recovery. Select Reset PC. Choose Remove everything. The Keep my files option preserves personal files, so it does not provide a complete wipe.
Select Cloud download to download Windows over the internet, or Local reinstall to use usable files already on the PC. A local reinstall does not guarantee an up-to-date installation. Review the displayed removal options.
If you’re transferring the PC to someone else, enable Clean data to make deleted files harder to recover. This consumer option is not certified sanitization. Complete the reset using the displayed confirmations.
If you cannot reach the desktop but have access to a Windows power menu, hold Shift while selecting Power > Restart to open Windows Recovery Environment. In recovery, select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC. Choose Remove everything.
Select Cloud download or Local reinstall from the available choices. Review the removal options before confirming the reset. Enter your BitLocker recovery key if recovery requests it.
Get the right media for an Arm-based PC
An Arm-based PC needs Arm64 installation media. Microsoft’s public Arm download page currently offers 25H2; do not assume that image supports hardware shipped specifically with 26H1.
Open Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page for Arm-based PCs. Select your edition under Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for Arm-based PCs. Select Download Now.
Select your language. Choose Confirm. Download the ISO.
Create bootable USB media with the manufacturer drivers required for your device. Microsoft warns that some devices require additional drivers even to boot the installer. Once the media is ready, follow the Windows Setup steps above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reinstall Windows 11 and remove everything while Windows still works?
Yes. Open your installation media in File Explorer and run setup.exe. Select Yes > Change what to keep > Keep nothing > Next > Install. This removes files, apps, and settings through Setup running inside Windows.
Does reinstalling Windows through Windows Update perform a clean install?
No. Settings > System > Recovery > Fix problems using Windows Update > Reinstall now starts a repair reinstall that preserves your apps, files, and settings.
Will a factory recovery drive give me the same result?
A previously created Recovery Drive includes manufacturer customizations and the updates present when it was created. Use it on the device it was created for. Its result differs from a clean installation using Microsoft’s installation media.
Can I use Installation Assistant for a clean install?
Installation Assistant is an upgrade tool. It does not provide the disk-wiping clean-install procedure.