The Windows 11 setup process is problematic.
The Windows 11 setup process is problematic.
I set up a new PC with the specs you mentioned on Monday. It only started installation once, then refused to boot into Windows. I tried recreating the setup on another computer, but it worked the same way. Eventually, I decided to make a 10GB installation instead of 11. The USB drive got filled with random files labeled with strings and dates, and it wouldn’t let me delete them. I used a disk cleaning tool, which managed to free up just 4GB from the 8GB stick, but the rest remained hidden. Now the drive isn’t functional, leaving only a 2GB and a 4GB one available. Ugh, Microsoft!
Did you set your BIOS for compatibility with Windows 11? (Secure boot and TPM should be enabled). I’m not sure why you require a disk cleaning tool. You only need to format the drive before installing another ISO. Just right-click the drive and select Format.
To resolve this, you can wipe the drive using Rufus, then reformat it with Windows settings. Also, Rufus supports flashing ISO files. Make sure your BIOS is set to UEFI mode, enable Secure Boot, and TPM, then attempt to boot again.
I'm using the official MS tool for creating this bootable USB. It's been my go-to method for years, and I haven't come across anything similar before.
Can you borrow a USB flash drive from someone? Not every USB drive works well with installation media, especially since some older ones—even from 2021—can’t function properly as bootable devices. In your UEFI settings, you might need to turn on Legacy Mode so the drive gets recognized by your BIOS/UEFI. You may also have to adjust XHCI Hand-off. Generally it’s fine, but each USB drive behaves differently, even from trusted manufacturers. Unless you’re willing to spend money (and even then), these drives often come with hidden costs and are designed to be used profitably. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, avoid using USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports—they might require drivers not included in Windows setup. Instead, use older USB ports to boot into Windows Setup. In your UEFI: ensure compatibility support is off, SecureBoot is active, and fTPM is enabled. If you’re using a SATA drive, set the controller to AHCI mode. In the boot selection screen, if you see two USB options:
- Name of USB flash drive
- UEFI: <name of USB flash drive>
Choose the first one; otherwise it will boot the legacy device, which won’t work. With mixed drives (like M.2 and SATA), remember that Windows Setup picks the primary boot device based on the motherboard’s view. Even if you want Windows on your M.2 drive, it may default to the SATA drive, which could cause installation problems. Some suggest removing secondary drives to simplify setup and prevent confusion about which drive is intended. If troubleshooting continues, consider a disk method—installation will take longer (about 7 minutes or more, depending on speed), but after that the process should be straightforward once you’re in the setup phase.