You need installation media, a product key, and about 20 minutes of uninterrupted time

Installing Windows on a new PC means putting the operating system onto a blank hard drive or solid-state drive. Most new computers come with Windows already installed, but if you built your own PC, replaced the drive, or wiped it clean, you will need to install it yourself. The process involves creating installation media (a USB drive or DVD), booting from that media, and following the Windows setup wizard through a series of screens that ask about your language, timezone, and product key.

The entire process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on your drive speed and internet connection. Most of that time is the system copying files and installing drivers — you are not actively doing anything. The hardest part for most people is getting into the BIOS or boot menu to tell the computer to start from the USB drive instead of looking for Windows on the hard drive.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a Windows product key (a 25-character code), a USB drive with at least 8 GB of space, and another computer to create the installation media.
  • Download the Windows installation tool from Microsoft's website, plug in your USB drive, and run the tool to copy Windows files onto it.
  • Plug the USB drive into your new PC, restart it, and press Delete, F2, F12, or Esc during startup to enter the boot menu, then select the USB drive.
  • Windows will ask for your product key during setup; if you do not have one yet, you can skip this step and enter it later, though the system will remind you repeatedly.
  • After installation finishes, Windows will download and install drivers automatically, but you may need to visit your motherboard or graphics card manufacturer's website for the latest versions.

Getting a Windows product key and installation media

A product key is a 25-character code that proves you own a license to use Windows. If you bought a new PC from a manufacturer like Dell or Lenovo, the key is usually printed on a sticker on the case or included in the documentation. If you are building a PC from scratch, you need to buy a Windows license separately — you can purchase one from Microsoft's website, Amazon, or a computer retailer. Home editions cost less than Pro editions, and the difference is mainly in features like remote desktop and encryption that most home users do not need.

To create installation media, you need a USB drive with at least 8 GB of space and a separate computer (a laptop or another PC) that already has Windows or Mac OS. Go to microsoft.com/software-download/windows and download the Windows installation tool — this is a small program that downloads the full Windows files and copies them onto your USB drive. Plug in your USB drive, run the tool, and follow the prompts. The tool will erase everything on the drive, so make sure it is empty or that you have backed up anything on it. The download and copying process takes 10 to 20 minutes depending on your internet speed.

Entering the boot menu and starting the installation

Once your USB drive is ready, plug it into your new PC and restart the computer. As soon as it powers on, you need to press a key to enter the boot menu — this is a screen that lets you choose what device to start from. The key varies by manufacturer: common ones are Delete, F2, F12, Esc, or F10. If you are not sure, restart and watch the first screen carefully — most computers display a message like "Press F2 to enter Setup" or "Press Del to enter BIOS" for a few seconds. If you miss it, restart and try again.

Once you are in the boot menu, look for an option that says something like "USB Device" or "UEFI: [Your USB Drive Name]" and select it. The computer will restart and begin loading Windows from the USB drive. You will see a Windows logo and a spinning circle for a minute or two while files load.

Walking through the Windows setup wizard

The setup wizard will ask you a series of questions. First is your language and region — select the ones that match your location. Next is the product key screen. If you have your 25-character key, type it in. If you do not have one yet or want to enter it later, click "I do not have a product key" and continue — Windows will work for now, though it will display a watermark on your desktop and remind you to activate it. You can enter the key anytime later through Settings.

The wizard will then ask which drive to install Windows on. If your PC has only one drive and it is blank, it will be the only option. Select it and click Next. Windows will ask whether you want a custom or standard installation — choose custom, which gives you more control. The system will then format the drive and begin copying files, which takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on your drive speed. Do not turn off the computer during this step.

After the files are copied, the computer will restart automatically and continue the installation. You will see more Windows logos and progress bars. This phase takes another 5 to 10 minutes. When it finishes, the computer will restart again and ask you to set up your user account — choose a username and password, or sign in with a Microsoft account if you have one.

Installing drivers after Windows is running

Once you are logged in and see the Windows desktop, the operating system is installed. However, Windows may not have the latest drivers for your graphics card, network adapter, or motherboard. Windows will automatically download and install some drivers from Microsoft's servers, which can take 10 to 30 minutes. You will see notifications in the bottom right corner as drivers install.

For the best performance, visit your motherboard manufacturer's website (like ASUS, MSI, or Gigabyte) and download the chipset drivers and any other drivers listed for your specific model. If you have a dedicated graphics card from Nvidia or AMD, visit their websites and download the latest graphics drivers. These are usually newer than what Windows finds automatically. Restart your computer after installing any drivers.

Troubleshooting common installation problems

If the computer does not boot from the USB drive, you may have entered the boot menu but not selected the USB option correctly. Restart and try again, looking for "USB" or "Removable Media" in the list. If you see only your hard drive listed, the USB drive may not be plugged in firmly — remove it, wait a few seconds, and plug it back in, then restart.

If the installation starts but fails partway through with an error message, the USB drive may be corrupted. Go back to your other computer, download the Windows installation tool again, and recreate the USB drive from scratch. If the error mentions a specific file, try a different USB drive — some drives have reliability issues.

If Windows installs but your internet does not work, you are missing network drivers. If you have another computer, download the drivers from your motherboard manufacturer's website on that computer, copy them to a USB drive, and transfer them to your new PC. Alternatively, use an ethernet cable if your motherboard has an ethernet port — Windows often finds network drivers automatically when connected to the internet this way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a product key before I start the installation?

No. You can skip the product key screen during setup and enter it later through Settings. Windows will work without a key, though it will show a watermark on your desktop and remind you to activate it. You have 30 days before Windows starts restricting some features.

Can I use the same USB drive to install Windows on multiple computers?

Yes. Once you create the installation media, you can use the same USB drive on as many computers as you want. Just plug it in, boot from it, and repeat the setup process. Each installation needs its own product key.

What if my PC does not have a USB port?

Older PCs may have only DVD drives. You can burn the Windows installation files to a DVD instead of a USB drive using the same Microsoft installation tool — just select DVD as the media type instead of USB. The process is otherwise identical.

Will installing Windows erase my files?

Yes, if you are installing on a drive that already has files on it. During setup, you will choose which drive to install on. If you have data on that drive, back it up first. If you have multiple drives, you can install Windows on one and leave the others untouched.

How do I know if the installation was successful?

If you see the Windows desktop, can log in, and can open programs, the installation worked. Check that your internet connection works and that your monitor displays at the correct resolution. If everything looks normal, you are done.