A USB flash drive is needed to reinstall Windows. For the Media Creation Tool method, use a blank USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of space. Any content on that drive is deleted.
For a slow internet connection, the supported approach is to create installation media on another working PC with a reliable internet connection. Then use that USB drive on the target PC.
Steps:
- On a working PC, go to the Windows download page and download MediaCreationTool.exe for the version needed:
- Windows 11: under Create Windows 11 Installation Media, select Download Now.
- Windows 10: under Create Windows 10 Installation Media, select Download Now.
- Run MediaCreationTool.exe.
- Create the installation media on the blank USB flash drive.
- Back up files before reinstalling Windows.
- Insert the USB drive into the target PC.
- Start the PC from the USB drive using the boot menu or BIOS boot order.
- Follow Windows Setup.
Important points:
- A clean installation removes personal files, apps, manufacturer customizations, and settings.
- If reinstalling Windows on a device that was already licensed, the product key might not need to be entered. Many modern devices have the key embedded in firmware, and after reinstall Windows usually activates automatically once online.
- During reinstall, if the Product key screen appears, one supported path is to select I don't have a product key and then choose the edition that matches the existing license.
- If creating media manually from an ISO, the USB drive is formatted, and the documentation states at least 5 GB free space for that manual method.
For Windows 11 support: Windows 11 is 64-bit only. The system shown is 64-bit, x64-based, so it meets that architecture requirement. The provided information does not confirm full Windows 11 eligibility for that specific PC.
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