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To install Windows on a new PC build, make a bootable USB drive with Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool on another computer, boot the new PC from it in UEFI mode, pick “Custom: Install Windows only”, choose the blank drive’s unallocated space, and let Setup finish. Before that, confirm in the BIOS that TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are available, because Microsoft lists both as Windows 11 requirements. The whole job takes about 30 to 60 minutes once the USB drive is ready, and most failures come down to three things: the drive was not created for UEFI, the boot order points at the wrong device, or the storage drive is hidden by a controller setting.
Quick answer
| Phase | Action | Where | Common blocker |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Get Windows | Download the Windows 11 installation media tool | Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page, on a working PC | Trying to download from a PC that has no Windows yet |
| 2. Make the USB | Run the tool, choose “USB flash drive” (8 GB or larger) | Another computer | The drive contains files you need; it is erased |
| 3. Prepare the BIOS | Check TPM 2.0, Secure Boot and boot order | New PC, press Delete or F2 at power-on | TPM disabled by default on some boards |
| 4. Boot and install | Boot from the USB, choose a custom install onto the blank drive | Boot menu (F8, F11 or F12 on many boards) | “No boot device” or drive not listed |
| 5. Activate | Enter a key, or sign in and let a digital licence apply | Windows Setup or Settings | Unactivated Windows still runs, but with restrictions |
| 6. Drivers | Chipset, graphics, network, then Windows Update | Manufacturers’ websites | No network driver, so no internet |
What you need before you start
- A second computer with internet access to create the installer. Without one, a friend’s PC or a library machine works, since you only need it for a short time.
- A USB flash drive of at least 8 GB. Microsoft’s tool erases the drive when it writes the installer.
- Your new PC with all core hardware installed: CPU, RAM, boot SSD, graphics card, and monitor connected to the graphics card output.
- A plan for Windows licensing (see the activation section below).
- The network driver on the same USB or a second one. Some motherboards need a Wi-Fi or even an Ethernet driver that Windows does not include.
Can your hardware run Windows 11?
Microsoft publishes these minimums: a 64-bit CPU at 1 GHz or faster with two or more cores, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, a DirectX 12 compatible graphics device with a WDDM 2.0 driver, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability, and TPM 2.0. A modern gaming build exceeds every item except possibly the firmware settings. In practice, give a gaming PC at least 16 GB of RAM and a boot SSD of 500 GB or more, because games and updates fill smaller drives quickly. Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025, according to Microsoft, so a brand new build should install Windows 11 rather than hunting for Windows 10 media.
Microsoft Windows 11 Pro, 32/64 bit, lifetime key, original license - FQC-10572
Chosen because it specifies 32/64 Bit and Lifetime Key.
View on AmazonStep 1: Create the installation USB
This is the part people ask about when they search how to get windows on a new pc build, because the new PC has no operating system to download anything with. The answer is to use a second computer.
- On the working computer, open Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page and find the section named “Create Windows 11 Installation Media”.
- Download and run the Media Creation Tool. Accept the licence terms.
- Keep the suggested language and edition, which is a single multi-edition image that installs Home or Pro depending on your key.
- Choose “USB flash drive” and select your 8 GB or larger drive. The tool downloads Windows, writes it to the drive and makes it bootable.
- When it finishes, eject the drive safely.
The tool formats the stick in a way that both modern UEFI firmware and older systems can boot. If you prefer to download an ISO file instead, Microsoft’s page also offers one. You can then write it to a drive using a utility such as Rufus. If you do this yourself, choose the GPT partition scheme and UEFI target for a modern board, and the FAT32 file system (some very large install files are split automatically by good tools to fit FAT32’s 4 GB limit).
Put drivers on the stick
While you are at it, copy the motherboard’s LAN or Wi-Fi driver, the chipset driver, and the graphics driver installer onto a second USB drive or into a separate folder on the same drive. Having them ready means the new PC can get online immediately.
Step 2: Prepare the BIOS
Install the USB drive in a rear USB port on the new PC. Power on and tap the BIOS key shown on screen. Then check these items, which are named slightly differently by each maker.
| Setting | Target value | Why |
|---|---|---|
| TPM (fTPM on AMD, PTT on Intel) | Enabled | Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0 |
| Secure Boot | Enabled, or “Windows UEFI mode” if the board offers an OS type setting | Windows 11 requires a Secure Boot capable system; some boards ship with keys not yet installed |
| CSM (Compatibility Support Module) | Disabled | Secure Boot and GPT installs need native UEFI |
| Boot mode | UEFI | Matches the installer |
| SATA mode | AHCI | Standard for a single drive; avoid RAID unless you plan it |
| Memory profile (XMP or EXPO) | Enable now or after install | Speed, not required for setup |
| Boot priority | USB first for this boot | Windows Setup must load from the stick |
If Secure Boot appears greyed out, look for an option such as “Secure Boot Mode: Standard” or “Install default Secure Boot keys”. A board that is in “Setup Mode” without keys may need those default keys loaded before the toggle is available. Consult the motherboard manual for the exact menu name.
Instead of changing the permanent boot order, many people use the one-time boot menu (F8, F11 or F12 on many boards; the key is printed on screen or in the manual). Pick the entry for the USB drive that starts with “UEFI:”. If you see the same stick listed twice, the “UEFI:” entry is the one you want.
Step 3: Install Windows 11
- When the Windows Setup screen appears, confirm the language, time and keyboard layout, then click Next and Install now.
- When asked for a product key, enter one if you have it, or choose “I don’t have a product key”. You can add a key later in Settings. If you choose no key, you may be asked which edition to install; pick Home or Pro depending on the licence you intend to use, since a key for one edition will not activate the other.
- Accept the licence terms.
- Choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced). The upgrade option only applies to an existing Windows install.
- Choose the drive on which to install. See the partitioning section below.
- Click Next. The PC will copy files and restart several times. Leave the USB drive in until the first restart finishes, then remove it so the PC does not boot back into Setup.
- Complete the out-of-box setup: region, keyboard, network, account and privacy options. Microsoft documents that Windows 11 Home requires an internet connection and a Microsoft account to finish setup.
Partitioning: what to click on a blank drive
A new SSD shows as “Drive 0 Unallocated Space”. Select it and click Next. Windows automatically creates the partitions it needs. On a UEFI system these normally include an EFI system partition, a Microsoft reserved partition, the main Windows partition, and a recovery partition. You do not need to create them by hand.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Single blank drive | Select unallocated space and click Next |
| Two drives, one for Windows and one for games | Install to the smaller, faster drive; format the second drive later in Windows. Consider unplugging the second drive during install so Windows does not place boot files on it |
| Drive with old partitions you want gone | Select each partition and click Delete until a single block of unallocated space remains |
| Drive is not listed | See the troubleshooting section for storage controller drivers |
| Message says “Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk is of the GPT partition style” | The PC was started in legacy BIOS mode. Reboot from the “UEFI:” boot entry, or disable CSM |
Deleting partitions erases the data. On a brand new build the drive is empty, so this is safe, but double check that you are not selecting a drive with files you want to keep.
Step 4: Activate Windows
Activation is separate from installation. Windows 11 will install and run without a key, but Microsoft states that an unactivated copy shows a watermark and restricts personalisation settings, and it is not a licence to use Windows indefinitely. For a new build you have three realistic options.
| Licence type | What it is | Transferable to a new PC? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail (full packaged product or digital key from an authorised seller) | A licence not tied to one machine’s first use | Yes, can be moved to another PC under Microsoft’s licence terms | Builders who upgrade often |
| OEM or System Builder | Sold for PCs you assemble, tied to the first motherboard | Generally no, it follows the motherboard | A single PC you do not plan to rebuild |
| Existing digital licence | Linked to your Microsoft account from a previous install | Possible, with the activation troubleshooter after a hardware change | Replacing a motherboard on an already-licensed machine |
Whichever route you choose, buy from a reputable seller, because very cheap keys from marketplace listings are a common source of licences that stop working. To activate after installation, open Settings, then System, then Activation, and either enter the key or confirm that the digital licence has attached to your account. After a motherboard swap, the same page offers the Activation troubleshooter with an option for “I changed hardware on this device recently”.
Step 5: Install drivers in order
Once at the desktop, connect to the internet and run Windows Update. If no network connection works, install the LAN or Wi-Fi driver from your USB drive first. Then install in this order.
- Network driver (only if Windows did not detect it).
- Chipset driver from AMD, Intel or the motherboard maker.
- Windows Update until it is clear of updates.
- Graphics driver from NVIDIA, AMD or Intel.
- BIOS update if the motherboard maker lists a stable release you need.
- Peripheral software for keyboards, mice and headsets, if you use it.
Verify success in Device Manager: there should be no yellow warning icons, and Display adapters should list your graphics card by name.
Troubleshooting: “no boot device” and other install problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| “No boot device found” or “Reboot and select proper boot device” on first start | The BIOS does not see a bootable device; USB not created for UEFI, or boot order points to an empty drive | Use the boot menu and pick the “UEFI:” USB entry; recreate the USB with the Media Creation Tool; try a different USB port (rear USB 2.0 ports are often most compatible) |
| After installing, the PC says “no boot device” | Boot files placed on a different drive, or the USB stick still has priority | Select Windows Boot Manager in the BIOS boot list; unplug other drives and reinstall if needed |
| Drive not shown during install | Drive not detected in the BIOS or the storage controller needs a driver (some Intel systems with VMD enabled) | Check that the M.2 SSD is seated and screwed in; look in the BIOS storage list; disable VMD or load the Intel driver using “Load driver” in Setup |
| “This PC can’t run Windows 11” | TPM or Secure Boot is disabled, or the CPU is unsupported | Enable fTPM or PTT and Secure Boot in the BIOS; check Microsoft’s supported processor list |
| Install loops back to the Setup screen | USB still first in boot order after the first restart | Remove the USB at the first restart, or let the PC boot from the Windows Boot Manager entry |
| Black screen after Setup starts | Monitor plugged into the motherboard rather than the graphics card | Move the cable to the graphics card |
| Setup freezes at a percentage | Corrupt installer, unstable RAM profile | Rewrite the USB; disable XMP or EXPO for the install |
| Error asking for missing media driver | USB port or media problem | Use a different port, recreate the USB, and avoid USB hubs |
If Setup gets stuck on a disk with stale partition data, press Shift and F10 on the installation screen to open a command prompt, then use the diskpart tool: type list disk, select the correct disk by number, and type clean. Be absolutely certain which disk number you are selecting, because clean erases the entire disk instantly.
Windows 10 on a new build?
People still search for how to get windows 10 for new pc build and how to download windows 10 on new pc build. Windows 10 ended support on October 14, 2025, according to Microsoft, which means new security updates only arrive through Microsoft’s separate Extended Security Updates programme for eligible devices. A new gaming PC built with current hardware gains nothing from Windows 10 and loses long-term support, so install Windows 11 unless you have a specific software reason. If you rely on legacy software, check compatibility first rather than downgrading by default.
Safety checklist before you finish
- Keep the Windows USB drive for repairs, or create a recovery drive from Windows itself.
- Write down the licence type and account used for activation.
- Create a restore point once drivers are installed.
- Check temperatures at idle; a properly mounted CPU cooler normally keeps idle temperatures well below 50 degrees Celsius.
- Keep ESD habits: touch bare metal before opening the case again.
How we compared
We compared manufacturer manuals, specifications and independent guides named below. We did not build or benchmark these systems ourselves.
Sources
- Microsoft, Windows 11 specifications and system requirements
- Microsoft, Create installation media for Windows (Media Creation Tool guide)
- Microsoft support, Windows 10 support end-of-life notice and Extended Security Updates information
- Microsoft support, Activation and licensing documentation for Windows 11
- Motherboard manufacturer manuals (ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, ASRock) for TPM, Secure Boot and boot menu settings
- Intel and AMD chipset driver documentation
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I install Windows on a PC with no operating system?
Create a bootable USB drive on another computer using Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool, boot the new PC from it, and run a custom install onto the blank drive.
Do I need a product key to install Windows 11?
No. Setup lets you continue without one, but Windows will not be activated until you enter a valid key or link a digital licence, and some personalisation features stay restricted.
How do I get Windows when building a PC for the first time?
Buy a licence from a reputable seller (retail or system builder) or use an existing digital licence tied to your Microsoft account, then download the installer from Microsoft.
Why does my new PC say no boot device?
Usually the USB installer was not created for UEFI, the boot order is wrong, or the SSD is not detected. Use the boot menu, choose the UEFI USB entry, and check that the drive appears in the BIOS.
Can I install Windows 10 instead?
Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, so Microsoft recommends Windows 11. Installing Windows 10 on a new build is not advised for security reasons.
Do I need to enable TPM and Secure Boot?
Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0 and a Secure Boot capable UEFI system. Many boards ship with TPM disabled, so check the BIOS if Setup complains.
Which drive should Windows go on?
Install it on your fastest SSD, usually an NVMe M.2 drive, and keep a second drive for games if you have one.
What do I install first after Windows?
Install the network driver if needed, then the chipset driver, run Windows Update, then install the graphics driver from the GPU maker.
