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HP PCs - Installing the latest version of Windows 11

New Windows 11 versions are delivered to your computer through Windows Update. Learn what happens if Windows installs the update automatically, and find information for manually installing the update.

For business computers, operating system installation might be managed at the IT level and might not be available to install a later version of Windows. To confirm, contact your company's IT department or your local IT service.

Automatically install Windows 11

Windows Update can automatically install a new Windows 11 version to your computer.

Note:

Windows allows you to reschedule the update up to five days later. However, you can only use this reschedule option once.

  1. The first time you use your computer during the day, the sign-in screen is displayed.

  2. After you sign in, a screen opens with a Hi message, followed by a series of screens that show the progress of the installation.

  3. When the installation finishes, a Let's start screen is displayed, and then your desktop opens.

Perform a manual installation of Windows 11

If you do not want to wait for Windows to automatically download a new Windows 11 version, use Windows Update to install it manually.

  1. Using the search box on the taskbar, search for and open Windows Update.

  2. Click Check for updates. The download begins and the download progress is displayed as a percentage.

  3. When the download finishes, click Restart now.

    Note:

    If you do not want to restart your PC immediately, Windows 11 restarts automatically during inactive hours to complete the installation.

When your computer restarts, the update is configured.

Install Windows 11 from a USB flash drive or ISO file using Media Creation Tool

You can use Media Creation Tool to create Windows installation media, and then use the media to install Windows 11.

Create the Windows 11 installation media

Download Media Creation Tool, and then create Windows installation media.

Note:

You can run Media Creation Tool to create Windows installation media on any computer.

  1. Go to Download Windows 11 (Microsoft) (in English).

  2. Under Create Windows 11 Installation Media, click Download Now.

    Create Windows 11 Installation Media with Download Now highlighted

  3. Double-click the MediaCreationTool.exe file in the browser downloads bar, or in the Downloads folder, to start the installation.

  4. Accept the license terms.

  5. Select the language and edition for the Windows 11 installation, and then click Next.

  6. Insert a blank USB flash drive (32 GB or larger), select USB flash drive, and then click Next.

  7. Select the USB flash drive, and then click Next.

  8. After the Media Creation Tool finishes creating the installation image on the USB flash drive, click Finish.

Install Windows 11 using Windows installation media

Windows 11 Setup allows you to do a clean installation of Windows 11 (erases all data) or to keep your personal files and apps. HP recommends backing up all data before installing in case of data loss.

Note:

If you are prompted to provide the BitLocker key, see HP PCs - Using BitLocker and finding the recovery key (Windows 11, 10).

Note:

If you are prompted to supply the Windows 11 product key, type the product key, and then click Next.

Note:

If your computer has less than 128 GB of free hard drive space, you are prompted to connect a USB flash drive to continue with the installation. Use a blank USB flash drive (32 GB or larger). When the installation is complete, Windows 11 Upgrade copies the windows.old file to the USB flash drive. Keep this file on the USB flash drive. The file is required if you decide to go back to the previous operating system.

  1. Insert the Windows installation USB flash drive into the computer.

  2. Open the USB flash drive in File Explorer, and then double-click setup.exe. If a User Account Control window is displayed, click Yes.

  3. When the Install Windows 11 window is displayed, click Next. Windows 11 Setup checks for updates.

  4. Accept the license terms.

  5. In the Choose what to keep window, select the files, settings, and apps that you want to keep, and then click Next.

    • Keep personal files and apps: Keeps all your personal files, settings, and apps.

    • Keep only personal files: Keeps your personal files, but no settings or apps.

    • Keep nothing: Keeps nothing and erases all data.

  6. In the Ready to install window, click Install to start the installation.

  7. During the installation process, your computer restarts several times. Do not turn off your computer or interrupt the installation process. The desktop opens when the installation finishes. If the sign-in window is displayed, sign in to your account.

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