Windows 11 is just around the corner, and if you’re eager to try it out before the official release, you can install the Windows 11 Preview. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to create a Windows 11 installation USB drive, which can be handy for installing the new operating system on multiple devices or setting up a virtual machine for testing purposes without risking your personal data.
Check Your Available Space
Before you proceed, ensure that you have enough storage space. The Windows 11 ISO file is approximately 5.1GB in size, so make sure you have enough space on the device you’re downloading it to, as well as on the flash drives and target devices you’ll be using.
If you’re running low on space, consider following our guide on freeing up space in Windows 10. Back up any files you don’t need immediately and perform a factory reset to start afresh. You can then choose what you want to restore to your PC at a later time.
Download the Windows 11 ISO File
To get started, you’ll need to sign in to your Microsoft account and register for the Windows Insider program (if you haven’t already).
- Visit the official Windows Insider website
- Scroll down and click on “Sign up” to join the Windows Insider program
- Sign in to your Microsoft account or create a new one if needed
- Accept the terms and conditions and click “Register”
- Head to the Windows Insider Preview download page
- Choose a Build Channel (e.g., Windows 11 Beta Channel) from the “Select Edition” dropdown menu
- Confirm your selection and choose the product language
- Select “64-bit Download” to start the download (the download link is valid for 24 hours)
Create a Bootable USB Drive for Windows 11
Once you have the Windows 11 ISO file downloaded, you’ll need to make a bootable USB drive. Microsoft recommends using Rufus for this process:
- Download and launch Rufus (the latest version is recommended)
- Insert a USB drive with at least 8GB of free space and remove any other files from it
- In Rufus, select the USB drive under “Device”
- Choose “NTFS” under “File System” and “MBR” under “Partition Scheme”
- Click “SELECT” next to “Boot Selection” and choose the Windows 11 ISO file
- Click “Start” and wait for the process to complete (the duration depends on the USB stick’s speed)
Now, you have a bootable USB drive ready for a clean installation of Windows 11 on any supported device.
- Plug the USB drive into your target device
- Reboot the device
- Before the Windows logo appears, press and hold the F8 key to enter Safe Mode
- Choose “Use a device” and select the USB drive
Your PC should now boot up using the Windows 11 ISO file. If not, you may need to disable Secure Boot in the BIOS setup.
FAQs
1. Can I use a Windows 10 ISO file to create a Windows 11 installation USB drive?
No, you must use a Windows 11 ISO file to create a Windows 11 installation USB drive. The ISO files for different versions of Windows are not interchangeable.
2. What are the minimum requirements for installing Windows 11?
To install Windows 11, your device needs to meet certain minimum requirements, such as a compatible processor, sufficient RAM, and available storage. Microsoft provides a PC Health Check tool that can determine if your device is eligible for Windows 11. Make sure to check the official system requirements before installing.
By following this guide, you can easily create a Windows 11 installation USB drive and stay ahead of the game when the new operating system launches. If you have any further questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to us through our contact forum. And if you found this article helpful, don’t forget to share it with your friends and family to show your support.
