How to Install Windows 11 on a Laptop Using a USB Drive

✅ What You’ll Need:

1. A USB drive with at least 8GB of storage
   (Windows 11 installation files are ~5.4GB)

2. Windows 11 ISO image or installation DVD

3. Administrator privileges on your current system

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🔧 Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Backup Your USB Drive

• Plug in your USB drive and back up any important data — this process will erase everything.

Step 2: Improve USB Performance (Optional, but Recommended)

• Go to:
  Control Panel → Device Manager → Disk Drives → [Your USB Drive] → Properties → Policies

• Select “Better performance” for faster write speeds.
  (Pro Tip: With this, Windows 10 can install in under 15 minutes — even on machines with just 4GB RAM!)

Step 3: Open Command Prompt as Administrator

• Go to:
  Start → Accessories → Right-click “Command Prompt” → Run as Administrator

Step 4: Use DISKPART to Prepare the USB Drive

Type the following commands one by one:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK #     ← (Replace # with your USB disk number, e.g., 1)
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
SELECT PARTITION 1
ACTIVE
FORMAT FS=NTFS quick
ASSIGN
EXIT

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🔄 Step 5: Make the USB Bootable

1.  Extract the ISO to a folder using tools like WinRAR.

2. Assume the extracted folder is at: E:\win11

Now, in the same Command Prompt window:

E:
CD win11\BOOT
BOOTSECT.EXE /NT60 G:

(Replace G: with your USB drive’s letter. This sets up the USB with the Windows boot manager.)

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📥 Step 6: Copy Windows Installation Files

Copy all contents of the Windows 11 installation folder to your USB drive.

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🔧 Final Step: Boot from USB

• Restart your PC and enter the BIOS setup.

• Enable USB Boot and set the USB drive as the first boot device.

• Save changes and exit.

💡 That’s it! The Windows 11 setup will launch, and if optimised, it can complete in as little as 15 minutes — even on basic hardware!