Alex Ruben
How to Create a Lightweight and Fast Windows 11 Installation on Any PC
This guide will walk you through the process of downloading and installing Windows 11 24H2 from the official Microsoft website. You’ll learn how to create a bootable USB drive and customize your installation to be both lightweight and fast without requiring any programming skills.
Step 1: Prepare a Bootable USB Flash Drive
To begin, you’ll need a USB flash drive of at least 8 GB. This drive will be formatted during the setup, so ensure you back up any important data on it.
- Insert your USB flash drive into your computer.
- Open your web browser and navigate to the Microsoft Windows 11 download page.
- Download the tool for creating a bootable USB drive by clicking on the provided link on the website.
- Once the tool is downloaded, open File Explorer and go to the
Downloadsfolder. - Double-click on the downloaded application and accept the terms of the license agreement.
- Select your language (leave as English if preferred) and choose the option to create a USB flash drive.
- Select your USB drive from the list and click Next.
- Wait for the process to complete and then click Finish.
Step 2: Create the Answer File for Installation Settings
Now, you’ll create a special file that customizes your Windows installation options.
- Go to the unattend file generator website.
- Select your language and country of residence.
- Choose the architecture of your processor (32-bit or 64-bit).
- Check the box to bypass Windows 11 hardware requirements if needed.
- Do not use compact OS and select your correct time zone.
- Select your Windows edition based on your current license (Windows 10 Pro -> Windows 11 Pro for Pro users).
- Enable file explorer tweaks and adjustments for a more customized experience.
- Scroll down and configure which apps and features you would like to disable during installation.
- Finally, click on Download XML file.
Step 3: Add the Answer File to the Bootable USB
After downloading the answer file, you’ll need to place it on your bootable USB drive.
- Open File Explorer and navigate to your bootable USB flash drive.
- Copy the XML file you’ve just downloaded and paste it into the root directory of the USB drive alongside the Windows installation files.
Step 4: Boot from the USB Flash Drive
Now it’s time to boot your computer using the USB drive.
- Restart your computer and immediately press the required key (like F12) to enter the boot menu.
- Select the USB drive to boot from it and press Enter.
Step 5: Install Windows 11
Once you’ve selected the USB drive, you’ll proceed with the installation.
- In the installation menu, select the disk partition where you want to install Windows 11.
- Delete any existing partitions as necessary to ensure a clean installation. Ensure to back up any important data beforehand.
- Choose the unallocated space and proceed by clicking Next to start the installation process.
Step 6: Completing the Setup
Your computer will reboot several times while Windows 11 installs. Follow any on-screen prompts until installation is complete.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Here are a few tips to ensure everything goes smoothly:
- Always back up your data before starting the installation process.
- Make sure your PC meets the minimum system requirements before proceeding.
- During the installation, ensure you have access to a stable power supply to avoid interruptions.
Conclusion
Following these steps, you should successfully create and install a lightweight and fast version of Windows 11. Enjoy your new operating system, and consider looking into further tweaks to optimize your experience.