How to Solve Windows 11 Can’t Install from USB Issue

Do you want to install Windows 11 from USB but are having problems? Do you get error messages like “This PC can’t run Windows 11″ or “Windows 11 installation has failed“? If yes, then you are not alone. Many users are facing a similar issue while trying to install Windows 11 from USB.

There are several reasons Windows 11 cannot be installed from USB, such as:

• Your computer doesn’t meet the minimum system requirements for Windows 11, such as processor, memory, storage space, security, and other features.
• Your USB wasn’t created correctly as Windows 11 installation media, such as not using official Microsoft tools, not having the correct partitions, or not being formatted with the proper file system.
• Your BIOS or UEFI settings are not properly configured to allow booting from USB, such as not enabling CSM mode, not setting the correct boot order, or not disabling security features such as Secure Boot or TPM.

To solve the Windows 11 won’t install from USB issue, you need to check and fix the above factors. In this article, Bardimin will show you how to do it with easy and detailed steps. Let’s get started.

Step 1: Check Windows 11 System Requirements

Before you try to install Windows 11 from USB, you need to make sure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11. Otherwise, you will get an error message like “This PC can’t run Windows 11” and cannot proceed with the installation.

Here are the minimum system requirements for Windows 11, according to Microsoft’s official website:

• Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a 64-bit compatible processor or System on a Chip (SoC)
• Memory: 4 GB RAM
• Storage Space: Storage devices 64 GB or greater
• Graphics System: DirectX 12 compatible or later with WDDM 2.0 driver
• Display: High-resolution (720p) monitor larger than 9 inches diagonally, 8 bits per color channel
• Security: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0, UEFI firmware that can secure boot
• Connection: Internet connection and Microsoft account for Windows 11 Home settings

To check if your computer meets the Windows 11 system requirements, you can use Microsoft’s official tool called PC Health Check. This tool will scan your computer and let you know if your computer is ready for Windows 11 or not. Here’s how to use PC Health Check:

1. Download and install PC Health Check from here.
2. Run PC Health Check and click on Check now under the Introducing Windows 11 section.
3. Wait a few seconds for the tool to finish scanning your computer. You will see the results on the screen. If your computer meets the Windows 11 system requirements, you will see the message This PC can run Windows 11. Otherwise, you will see the message This PC can’t run Windows 11 and the reason why.

If your computer doesn’t meet the Windows 11 system requirements, you need to upgrade inadequate components, such as processor, memory, storage space, or security. You can also try alternative solutions that Bardimin will discuss in the next section.

Step 2: Create Windows 11 Installation USB Properly

If your computer meets the Windows 11 system requirements, the next step is to make sure that your USB is properly created as Windows 11 installation media. Otherwise, you may encounter issues like “Windows 11 installation has failed” or “Windows 11 setup cannot find the required files.

There are a few things you need to pay attention to when creating a Windows 11 installation USB, such as:

• Use an official Microsoft tool, such as the Media Creation Tool or Rufus, to create a Windows 11 installation USB. These tools will ensure that your USB has the correct partitions, proper file system, and complete and up-to-date installation files.
• Choose the option that matches the architecture, edition, and language of Windows 11 you want. For example, if you want to install Windows 11 Home 64-bit in Indonesian, you need to select that option when creating the Windows 11 installation USB.
• Format your USB with the NTFS file system instead of FAT32. The NTFS file system supports files larger than 4 GB, which is required for Windows 11 installation files. If your USB is formatted with the FAT32 file system, you may not be able to copy Windows 11 installation files larger than 4 GB, such as install.wim or install.esd.

Here’s how to properly create a Windows 11 installation USB using  the Media Creation Tool:

1. Download the Media Creation Tool from here.
2. Run the Media Creation Tool and click on Accept to agree to the license terms.
3. On the What do you want to do?, select the option Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC and click on Next.
4. On the Select language, architecture, and edition page, select the option that corresponds to the architecture, edition, and language of Windows 11 that you want. You can use the Use the recommended options for this PC option to select the option that suits your current computer. Click on Next once you are done selecting.
5. On the Choose which media to use page, select the USB flash drive option and click on Next.
6. On the Select a USB flash drive page, select the USB you want to use as Windows 11 installation media. Make sure your USB has at least 8 GB of free space and does not contain important data, as it will be formatted. Click on Next once you select your USB.
7. Wait until the Media Creation Tool finishes downloading and creating the Windows 11 installation USB. This may take a few minutes, depending on your internet and USB speed. Once done, click on Finish and unplug your USB from the computer.

Now you have the Windows 11 installation USB ready to go. You can proceed to the next step to configure your BIOS or UEFI settings.

Step 3: Configure Your BIOS or UEFI Settings

If you’ve checked the Windows 11 system requirements and created the Windows 11 installation USB correctly, the final step is to configure your BIOS or UEFI settings to allow booting from USB. Otherwise, you may not be able to boot from USB or install Windows 11 from USB.

There are some settings you need to check and change in your BIOS or UEFI, such as:

• Enable UEFI mode instead of CSM or Legacy mode. UEFI mode is a newer, more secure firmware mode that supports features like Secure Boot and TPM. CSM or Legacy mode is an older, less secure firmware mode that doesn’t support those features. Windows 11 requires UEFI mode to be installed from USB.
• Set the correct boot order, i.e. prioritize USB as the first boot device. You need to make sure that your USB is the first boot device so that your computer will try to boot from USB first, not from a hard drive or DVD.
• Disable security features such as Secure Boot or TPM, if needed. Security features such as Secure Boot or TPM are features that aim to increase the security of your computer by verifying the integrity of the software that runs at boot time. However, this feature can also cause problems when trying to install Windows 11 from a USB, especially if your USB doesn’t have a valid certificate or doesn’t support the feature. If so, you may need to disable this security feature temporarily to install Windows 11 from USB.

Here’s how to configure your BIOS or UEFI settings:

1. Turn on your computer and press the appropriate key to enter BIOS or UEFI. This key can vary depending on the make and model of your computer, but is usually  F2, F10, F12, Del, or Esc. You can see on-screen instructions when your computer starts to boot or check your computer’s manual for more information.
2. Once you enter BIOS or UEFI, locate and change settings related to UEFI mode, boot order, and security features. These settings can be under different menus, such as Boot, Security, Advanced, or System Configuration. You can use the arrow keys, Enter,  and Esc to navigate and change settings. You can also refer to the on-screen instructions or your computer’s manual for further assistance.
3. After you finish changing the settings, save and exit BIOS or UEFI. Usually, you can do so by pressing the F10 key or selecting the Save and Exit option. Your computer will reboot and try to boot from USB.

Now you are ready to install Windows 11 from USB. You can follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process. Good luck!

Conclusion

In this article, Bardimin has shown you how to solve the Windows 11 won’t install from USB issue with three main steps, namely:

• Check the Windows 11 system requirements by using PC Health Check.
• Create the Windows 11 installation USB correctly by using the Media Creation Tool.
• Configure your BIOS or UEFI settings to allow booting from USB.

By following these steps, you can install Windows 11 from USB easily and quickly. Bardimin hopes that this article was useful to you and can help you enjoy the new and exciting Windows 11. Thanks for reading.