How to Clean Install Windows 11 Without an Internet Connection

A clean install of Windows 11 removes the existing operating system, files, settings, and applications from a computer and installs a fresh copy of the operating system from scratch. It wipes the OS volume’s system clean, ensuring no remnants of the previous installation remain.

This method can help resolve various problems, such as malware infections, manufacturer bloatware, and software issues. It is used to prepare computers for new owners in the context of enterprise and managed environments.

If you need to know how to install Windows 11 without an internet connection, this guide provides the requirements, steps, and troubleshooting tips to ensure a successful setup.

How to do a clean install of Windows 11 without the internet

Prior to performing a clean install of Windows 11, your device needs to meet several requirements.

System compatibility

Your computer needs to have the following specifications:

• Processor: 1 GHz or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC).
• RAM: 4 GB or more.
• Storage: 64 GB or larger.
• Firmware: UEFI with Secure Boot capability.
• TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0.
• Graphics Card: This card should be compatible with DirectX 12 or later with a WDDM 2.0 driver.

Installation media

Since you’re planning to do a clean install of Windows 11 without an internet connection, you need to have:

• A USB flash drive with 8 GB of storage
• The Media Creation Tool, which simplifies downloading the ISO and creating a bootable USB drive
• The Windows 11 ISO file

Once you have a Windows 11 ISO on the flash drive, you can use it numerous times to perform a clean install of Windows 11. However, each installation must be properly licensed. Plus, the ISO on Microsoft’s site might be outdated, so downloading a fresh one that includes the latest updates and drivers would be an excellent practice.

Preparing to perform a Windows 11 offline installation

Before starting a clean installation of Windows 11 offline, follow these steps:

1. Create backups of essential data. A clean install will remove all existing data on the system drive. If you have sensitive files and necessary applications, secure your data via an external drive, a USB storage device, or in the cloud.
2. Use the Media Creation Tool to download the latest Windows 11 ISO file version and create a bootable USB flash drive.
3. Configure the BIOS/UEFI settings. You can access these settings usually by pressing F2, Delete, or Esc during startup. To make your system meet Windows 11 installation requirements, you need to make the following changes:

1. • Enable Secure Boot. This will ensure trusted software is loaded during the boot process.
   • Enable TPM (Trusted Platform Module) 2.0. Windows 11 requires this to be enabled.
   • Configure the USB Drive to be the primary boot device. Move the USB drive with the Windows 11 ISO to the top of the boot order list.

After meeting all the requirements above, you can start the clean installation of Windows 11.

1. Boot from the USB Drive

   • Insert the bootable USB drive to your computer with the Windows 11 installation files into a USB port on the target computer.
   • Next, restart the computer. Go to the Boot Menu by pressing the designated key (F12, F8, or Esc) during startup. Select the USB drive.
   • Start the installation. The system should boot from the USB drive and automatically launch the Windows 11 setup. If it does not, verify that the boot order is correctly configured in the BIOS.

2. Windows Setup Wizard

   • You will be directed to the Windows Setup Wizard. When prompted, select
     1. The language to install
     2. Time and currency format
     3. Keyboard or input method
     4. Click Next, then select Install Now to continue.
   • After this, enter your product key if available. If you don’t have one at the time of installation, click “I don’t have a product key.” You can activate Windows from the system settings later, when you’re connected to the internet.
   • If a product key has not been entered, you may be led to a prompt that lets you select Windows 11 (Home, Pro). Select the version that matches your license.

3. Partition selection

   • In the partition selection screen, you will be asked: “Where do you want to install Windows?” Select Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).
     
   • You will then see a list of existing partitions on the system drive. To perform a clean install, select every partition related to the existing operating system and click Delete. Repeat this process until all you see is “unallocated space.” However, be warned: deleting partitions will erase all data on the drive.
   • Click or select the unallocated space and click Next to start the installation.

4. Installation

Windows will automatically start copying files, installing features, and applying updates. Do NOT remove the USB drive until this is complete. Normally, your computer might restart while installation is ongoing.

Post-installation setup of Windows 11

After you have completed the initial installation phase and restarted your computer, you will go through a series of steps to set up your operating system. Here’s a guide to help you through the process:

Initial configuration

After the system boots into the Windows Setup, you will perform the following configurations:

• Region Selection. Here, you will select your country or region, determining settings like language, time, and currency format.
• Keyboard Layout. Select your preferred keyboard input method, and you can add a secondary layout if you want to.

Click Yes at the end of each step to confirm and proceed.

Set up your user account

The next step entails creating an account or signing in to an existing one. You can either:

• Log in or create a Microsoft account if you are connected to the internet. This will sync settings, OneDrive, and Microsoft Store access across devices.
• If you are not connected to the internet, you can create an offline account by clicking Sign-in options > Offline account. Then, follow the on-screen prompts to create a username and password and answer security questions.

Connect to a network connection

If you are not connected to the internet yet, select an available network and enter the password. For computers with Ethernet, plug in the cable, and Windows should connect automatically.

Install updates and Windows drivers

The next step involves updating Windows to the latest version. Open Settings > Windows Update, and then click “Check for Updates.” Windows will download and install them automatically if there are any.

These include the latest patches, security improvements, and drivers for your hardware, like display adapters, audio devices, chipset utilities, and network cards. Note that Windows may restart multiple times during the process, and some updates will require a reboot to take effect.

Activate your Windows

If you did not enter a product key in the Windows Setup Wizard, you will have to activate Windows 11. To do this,

• Go to Settings > System > Activation.
• If not already activated, click Activate and enter your product key.

Your device will automatically activate if it comes with a digital license tied to your Microsoft account or hardware when it connects to the internet.

Troubleshooting Windows 11 offline installation issues

Although a Windows 11 clean installation without the internet is relatively straightforward, users may encounter a few stumbling blocks.

Issue: Missing drives during installation

This occurs during the partition selection phase, particularly in the “Where do you want to install Windows” screen.

No drives may appear, or the system cannot detect the primary storage device. This is common with systems using RAID configurations, NVMe SSDs, or storage controllers that require third-party drivers.

To fix this, follow these steps:

1. Download the required storage drivers from the manufacturer’s website. Place the driver/file in a USB drive and insert it into your computer when this error occurs.
2. In the installation screen, click Load driver.
   
3. Browse the USB drive, locate the driver, and load it. Once loaded, it should appear for selection.

Issue: Secure Boot or TPM errors

This occurs when the installation is blocked due to missing or disabled security features like Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 or Secure Boot.

To resolve this, TPM and Secure Boot have to be enabled. Here’s how:

1. Reboot the system and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings by pressing F2, Delete, or Esc during startup.
2. Navigate to the Security or Boot tab.
   • Enable TPM. In Intel systems, it is called TPP, while on computers running AMD, it is referred to as fTPM.
   • Toggle Secure Boot on.
3. Save changes and exit the BIOS.

Issue: Windows fails to activate after installation

When Windows fails to activate after you clean install Windows 11 without an internet connection, try the following steps:

1. Connect to the internet. Activation requires a stable internet connection unless a product key is entered manually and subsequently validated during installation.
2. Verify the product key’s validity. Ensure it has not been used in another device and matches the edition of the installed Windows 11 (Home or Pro).
3. Use the Windows 11 Activation Troubleshooter. To access this tool, go to Settings > System > Activation and click Troubleshoot. This can resolve licensing conflicts, especially if the license is tied to your Microsoft account.

A Windows 11 clean install offers a fresh start

A clean install of Windows 11 offers a reliable way to restore your system to a pristine, factory-fresh, and optimized state. It will completely remove remnants of the old system, making it effective for solving various issues and preparing a device for a new user.

However, before doing it, back up essential data, confirm system compatibility and only use trusted installation tools. With the right preparation and attentiveness to each step, your clean install attempts will be straightforward and problem-free.