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HP PCs - Installing Windows 11 from a USB flash drive

You can use an image on a USB flash drive to install Windows 11 on your computer.

Important information about installing Windows 11

Review the following information before upgrading your computer to Windows 11.

Make sure that the computer is eligible for Windows 11 by checking the "How do I know if my computer meets Windows 11 minimum system requirements?" section in the HP PCs – Support for Windows 11 document.
Some computers might be configured with components that do not meet the minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11. HP recommends that you install PC Health Check (in English) from Microsoft to determine if your computer is eligible.
Devices that do not meet the minimum system requirements will remain on Windows 10 and continue to be supported with security updates. Customers using long term service releases (LTSC and LTSB) will continue to be supported through the published end of support dates. For more information about Windows 10 support, see HP products tested with Windows 10.
Back up your important files.

CAUTION:
HP recommends that you always back up all important data (such as personal files, photos, videos, documents, applications, and software) before upgrading to avoid losing your data. For more information, see Backing Up Your Files (Windows 10, 8).
Before installing Windows 11, update your antivirus software and the antivirus definitions. Set the antivirus application to update automatically. Go to the antivirus software manufacturer website for more information.
After you install Windows 11, you automatically receive updates and security fixes from Microsoft. You cannot opt out of this service.
Not all Windows 11 features are available on all computers. Your experience with Windows 11 is determined by the capabilities of your computer.
Apps are sold separately.
Software designed for Windows 10, or earlier operating systems, might not work after installing Windows 11.
If you installed third-party software after purchasing your HP computer, you can verify that it is supported in Windows 11 by contacting the software vendor.
For computers with available storage of 128 GB or less, the installation might require you to provide a USB flash drive (64 GB or larger). HP does not recommend using an SD card.
Windows Hello requires either a camera configured for near infrared (IR) imaging or a fingerprint reader for biometric authentication.
S mode is only supported on the Home edition of Windows 11. If you are running a different edition of Windows in S mode, switch out of S mode prior to upgrading. See Windows 10 in S mode FAQ (in English).
If you seek assistance from HP Support after the installation, HP Support might request that the original Windows operating system be restored to verify product functionality. If your computer is sent to service for repairs after installing Windows 11, your computer might be reimaged with the original Windows operating system and Windows 11 removed. After repairs are made, you can reinstall Windows 11. Be sure to remember your Microsoft account login and password.
Specific versions of some models might have the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) disabled by request of the customer. These computers might not have an option in the BIOS for TPM. HP recommends that you do not upgrade these models to the Windows 11 operating system.

System requirements for installing Windows 11

Microsoft requires that your computer hardware meets the following system requirements before you can install Windows 11.

See Find Windows 11 specs, features, and computer requirements (in English).

System requirements
Requirement	Minimum
Processor	1 GHz or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip (SoC). See Windows 11 supported Intel processors (in English) or Windows 11 supported AMD processors (in English).
Memory (RAM)	4 GB or greater
Graphics card	Compatible with DirectX 12 or later, with a WDDM 2.0 driver
Display screen	High-definition display (720p), 9 in monitor (or greater), 8 bits per color channel
TPM	Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
System firmware	UEFI, Secure Boot capable
Hard disk space	64 GB (or greater) available storage Additional storage space might be required to download updates and enable specific features.
Other	Internet connectivity is necessary to perform updates, and to download and use some features. Windows 11 Home edition requires an internet connection and a Microsoft account to complete device setup on first use.

Prepare to install Windows 11

Before you install Windows 11, install updated drivers, software, and BIOS, and then create recovery media and back up your data. You might also need to decrypt your hard drive.

Update software, drivers, and BIOS and enable Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

Download and install the latest software and drivers and the latest version of the BIOS. If necessary, enable TPM.

Download and install the latest version of software and drivers from HP. See HP PCs - Downloading or Updating Software and Drivers for more information.
Download and install the latest version of the BIOS for your computer. See one of the following options for more information.
Based on your location and the model of your computer, you might need to enable the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) to meet the minimum system requirements.
1. Restart the computer, and then press f10 to open BIOS Setup Utility.
2. On the Security tab, check to see if the TPM Device option is Hidden.
3. Change the TPM Device option to Available.
4. Change the TPM State option to Enabled.
5. Press f10 to exit, and then click Yes to save changes. If prompted, press f1 to confirm the changes and restart the computer.

Create recovery media and back up important files

You can create recovery media and use File History to back up your data before upgrading to Windows 11.

If you have not already done so, create a set of system recovery media or save a recovery image to a USB flash drive. If a problem occurs during the installation process, you can use HP System Recovery to restore your computer to its original software configuration. To create your recovery solution, see the following cloud recovery option for your computer:
- HP Business PCs - Using the HP Cloud Recovery tool in Windows 11 and Windows 10
- HP Consumer PCs - Using the HP Cloud Recovery tool in Windows 11 and Windows 10
You can use File History to back up your files and transfer them to Windows 11. To create a backup of your files, see HP PCs - Back up your files (Windows 11, 10).

Extract the Intel Rapid Storage Technology drivers to the USB flash drive (Intel models only)

The Windows 11 Media Creation Tool does not provide the supported storage drivers for computer models with Tiger Lake (TGL) memory configurations. If you are installing Windows 11 from a USB flash drive at startup (not from Windows), this issue stops the installation process before you choose a Windows installation hard drive.

Download the Intel Rapid Storage Technology (IRST) drivers from the HP Software and Drivers web page to extract them to the USB flash drive.

Go to HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads, and then type the serial number, product number, or product name to find the software and drivers for your computer model.
From Driver-Storage, download the Intel RST driver (RAID) driver to your desktop. Do not install the downloaded file.
Right-click the downloaded file, select Extract to, and then select the USB flash drive that you are going to use to install Windows 11.

The computer copies the files, including in the driver package, to the USB flash drive.

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.

Go to Download Windows 11 (Microsoft) (in English).
Under Create Windows 11 Installation Media, click Download Now.
Click Open, Save, or Run to download the tool to your computer.
Double-click the MediaCreationTool.exe file in the browser downloads bar, or in the Downloads folder, to start the installation.
Accept the license terms.
Select the language and edition for the Windows 11 installation, and then click Next.
Select USB flash drive, and then click Next.
Insert a blank USB flash drive (32 GB or larger), and then click Next.
Select the USB flash drive, and then click Next.
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 or Finding the Recovery Key (Windows 10).

Insert the Windows installation USB flash drive into the computer.
Open the USB flash drive in File Explorer, and then double-click setup.exe. If a User Account Control window is displayed, click Yes.
When the Install Windows 11 window is displayed, click Next. Windows 11 Setup checks for updates.
Accept the license terms.
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.
In the Ready to install window, click Install to start the installation.
During the installation process, your computer restarts several times. Do not turn off your computer or interrupt the installation process. If the sign-in window is displayed, sign in to your account.

Windows activation

To verify that you have a genuine copy of Windows 11 that has not been used on more devices than the license agreement allows, you must activate Windows 11 after installation.

Depending on where you acquired your copy of Windows 11, you can activate it using either a digital entitlement or a 25-character product key. See HP PCs - Windows 11 product activation for more information about activating Windows 11.

Steps to take after installing Windows 11

After you install Windows 11, HP recommends that you update your drivers, apps, and software.

Connect to the internet, if your computer is not already connected.
Install the latest updates from Windows Update.
Sign in to the Microsoft Windows Store and update any Windows apps.
If you use HP Wolf Security, install updated HP Wolf Security applications, including HP Sure Click, HP Sure Run, HP Sure View, and HP Sure Sense.
To resolve any printer issues after installing Windows 11, see HP Print and Scan Doctor for Windows.
Learn how to use Windows 11. To learn about new Windows 11 features, the apps that come with Windows 11, and much more, go to HP PCs - Understanding and using Windows 11.

Go back to the previous version of Windows

Use the Go back feature to return your computer to the operating system that you used before installing Windows 11.

Note:

The Go back option is available for only ten days after installing Windows 11. If you perform a disk cleanup, refresh, or reset in Windows 11, you do not have the option to go back. If you have deleted the windows.old file from your computer, you do not have the option to go back. If your installation required an external USB flash drive, you must connect the same USB flash drive to your computer to go back.

Prepare to Go back to the previous version.
- Although your personal files should not be affected by going back, it is recommended that you back up all important data (personal files, photos, videos, documents, applications, software, and so on) before going back, to avoid losing your data.
- If you used a different password with the previous Windows version on your computer, you might need your old password.
- Keep your computer turned on and plugged in to a power source for the duration of the Go back process.
- After going back, you might need to reinstall some apps and programs and recustomize your settings.
Press the Windows key, search for go back, and then click Go back to an earlier build.

The Recovery window opens in Settings.
In the Previous version of Windows section, click Go back.
In the Why are you going back? window, select an answer, type more details into the Tell us more field (optional), and then click Next.
Read the What you need to know window, and then click Next.
If applicable, Windows reminds you that you need your old password. Click Next.
Click Go back to an earlier build.
Wait while your system is restored to the previous version of Windows. Do not turn off or unplug the computer.
When Go back is complete, sign in with the user account and password from your previous version of Windows.

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