Introduction to Windows 10 and Windows 11 Installation Methods

Windows 10 and Windows 11 are Microsoft's flagship operating systems, offering a wide range of features for both personal and professional use. Installing these operating systems can be done through various methods depending on the user’s needs, hardware setup, and technical expertise.

Importance of Installation Methods

Understanding the different installation methods is crucial for:

• Ensuring compatibility with hardware.

• Preserving data and system settings.

• Choosing the right installation approach (e.g., upgrade vs. clean install).

• Troubleshooting common installation issues.

Common Installation Methods

1. Upgrade Installation

• Ideal for users moving from an older version of Windows (e.g., Windows 7/8/10 to Windows 11).

• Preserves files, settings, and applications.

• Typically done using Windows Update or the Installation Assistant.

2. Clean Installation

• Recommended for a fresh start or when replacing an old system.

• Erases all data on the target drive.

• Done via bootable USB or installation media created using the Media Creation Tool.

3. Network Installation (PXE Boot)

• Used in enterprise or IT environments.

• Allows installation over a network using Windows Deployment Services (WDS).

4. Virtual Machine Installation

• Useful for testing or running Windows in a sandboxed environment.

• Done using software like Hyper-V, VirtualBox, or VMware.

Differences Between Windows 10 and Windows 11 Installations

• Hardware Requirements: Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, newer processors).

• User Interface: Installation screens and setup wizards have a modernized design in Windows 11.

• Feature Set: Windows 11 may require online accounts for setup on Home editions.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to upgrade installation for both Windows 10 and Windows 11. This includes upgrading from an older version of Windows (like Windows 7 or 8) or upgrading to a newer build/version (e.g., 21H2 to 22H2).

🔄 Windows 10 Upgrade Installation (Step-by-Step)

✅ Prerequisites:

• Backup important files.

• Ensure system meets Windows 10 requirements.

• At least 20 GB free disk space.

• Stable power (especially for laptops) and internet connection.

🔧 Upgrade via Windows 10 Media Creation Tool

1. Download the Media Creation Tool:

   • Visit https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10

   • Click "Download tool now"

2. Run the Media Creation Tool:

   • Accept license terms.

   • Select "Upgrade this PC now", then click Next.

3. Download and Prepare:

   • The tool will download Windows 10 and check for updates.

   • Wait while it prepares the installation.

4. Choose What to Keep:

   • Options:

     • Keep personal files and apps.

     • Keep personal files only.

     • Nothing (fresh install).

   • Choose your option and click Next.

5. Install Windows 10:

   • Review your selections.

   • Click Install.

   • The PC will restart multiple times during installation.

6. Post-Installation:

   • Follow on-screen setup (language, keyboard, privacy settings).

   • Sign in with your Microsoft account.

   • Check for updates: Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update

Windows 11 Upgrade Installation (Step-by-Step)

✅ Prerequisites:

• PC must meet Windows 11 system requirements (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, etc.)

• Backup data before upgrade.

• Stable internet connection and power supply.

🔧 Upgrade via Windows 11 Installation Assistant

1. Check Compatibility:

   • Download and run PC Health Check from: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11#pchealthcheck

2. Download Installation Assistant:

   • Go to: https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11

   • Click "Download Now" under "Windows 11 Installation Assistant"

3. Run the Assistant:

   • Accept license terms.

   • It will check system compatibility again.

4. Download and Install:

   • Tool downloads Windows 11 files.

   • Click Restart Now when prompted.

   • System restarts and installs Windows 11 (may take 30–90 mins).

5. Initial Setup After Installation:

   • Go through region/language selection.

   • Connect to Wi-Fi and sign in with Microsoft account.

   • Adjust privacy and personalization settings.

6. Check for Updates:

   • Go to Settings > Windows Update and install pending updates.

📌 Tips for Both Installations

• Make sure all drivers are updated.

• Disconnect unnecessary peripherals (printers, USB drives, etc.) before upgrading.

• Use a wired internet connection if possible for more stability.

• If using BitLocker, suspend protection before the upgrade.

Clean installation of windows 10 & 11

Here’s a step-by-step guide for doing a clean installation of Windows 10 or Windows 11. The process is nearly identical for both, with only minor differences in UI and system requirements.

🛠️ What You’ll Need

1. A USB flash drive (at least 8GB)

2. Another working PC to create the installation media

3. Your product key (optional, if already digitally linked to your Microsoft account)

4. Back up your data – a clean install will erase everything on your drive

🔧 Step-by-Step: Create Installation Media

Follow this link to make Installation media:- click this Media creation tool mehtod

1. Download the Media Creation Tool

• Windows 10: Download

• Windows 11: Download

2. Run the Tool

• Accept license terms.

• Choose "Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC."

• Select language, edition, and architecture (32/64-bit).

3. Create Bootable USB

• Plug in your USB drive.

• Select USB flash drive and choose it from the list.

• The tool will download and prepare the bootable drive.

💻 Step-by-Step: Clean Install Windows

1. Insert the USB & Reboot

• Insert the USB into the PC where you want to install Windows.

• Reboot and enter BIOS/UEFI (usually by pressing F2, DEL, ESC, or F12 right after powering on).

• Set USB as the first boot device.

2. Boot from USB

• Save and exit BIOS.

• The system should boot into the Windows setup screen.

3. Start Windows Setup

• Choose language, time, and keyboard layout → Click Next

• Click Install Now

4. Enter Product Key

• Enter your Windows key if prompted, or click "I don’t have a product key" (you can activate later).

5. Choose Windows Edition (if prompted)

• Select the edition matching your license (e.g., Home or Pro).

6. Accept License Terms

• Click Next

7. Select Installation Type

• Choose "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)" — this is the clean install option.

8. Delete Old Partitions

⚠️ Warning: This erases all data on the selected drive.

• You’ll see a list of partitions.

• Delete all partitions on the drive where Windows will be installed.

• Select the Unallocated Space and click Next.

9. Installation Begins

• Windows will copy files and install. This can take 10–30 minutes depending on your system.

• Your PC may reboot several times.

🔧 Step-by-Step: Post-Installation Setup

1. Region & Language

• Select your country/region and keyboard layout.

2. Network Setup

• Connect to Wi-Fi or skip if using Ethernet.

3. Account Setup

• Sign in with a Microsoft account or create a local user (option varies between Win10/11).

• Set up a password and security questions.

4. Privacy Settings

• Choose your privacy preferences (location, diagnostics, etc.).

✅ Final Steps

1. Check Activation

   • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation

   • If not activated, enter your product key

2. Update Windows

   • Run Windows Update to install the latest drivers and patches

3. Install Drivers (if needed)

   • Visit your PC or motherboard manufacturer’s site for chipset, GPU, Wi-Fi, etc.

4. Install Apps & Restore Files

   • Reinstall your programs and restore backups

Network installation (PXE Boot)

Setting up PXE (Preboot Execution Environment) boot for installing Windows 10 or 11 over the network involves several steps. Here's a step-by-step guide to create a PXE boot environment and deploy Windows 10/11 using it.

🔧 Prerequisites

1. A PXE-capable client (target machine)

2. A DHCP server (usually your router)

3. A PXE server (TFTP + DHCP proxy)

4. Windows Deployment Services (WDS) or third-party PXE server like Serva, TFTPD32, or TinyPXE Server

5. Windows 10/11 ISO

6. Optional: Windows ADK for automated deployments (with MDT)

Tools You Can Use

• Serva (Easy all-in-one PXE server)

• TFTPD32/TFTPD64 (Lightweight PXE server)

• WDS on Windows Server (More advanced)

• MDT + WDS for automated deployments

For beginners, Serva is the fastest way to set up PXE.

✅ Step-by-Step PXE Boot for Windows 10/11 Using Serva (Simple Way)

🔹 1. Download & Prepare Serva

1. Download Serva from http://www.vercot.com/~serva/

2. Extract it to a folder (e.g., C:\Serva)

3. Create a folder inside it: C:\Serva\Root

4. Create a subfolder: C:\Serva\Root\WIA_WDS

🔹 2. Add Windows ISO

1. Mount or extract your Windows 10 or 11 ISO.

2. Copy all contents of the ISO to a new subfolder inside WIA_WDS:

C:\Serva\Root\WIA_WDS\Win10_Pro

🔹 3. Configure Serva

1. Run Serva.exe as Administrator.

2. Go to Settings → TFTP:

   • Check TFTP Server

   • Set root directory to C:\Serva\Root

3. Go to Settings → DHCP:

   • Check ProxyDHCP

   • Check BINL

4. Go to Settings → PXE/BINL:

   • Check Enable BINL service

   • Leave other settings as default

5. Click OK → Serva will restart.

Serva will process your Windows install folder and create required boot files.

🔹 4. Boot PXE Client

1. On the target machine, enter BIOS/UEFI and enable Network Boot (PXE).

2. Set PXE Boot as the first boot option.

3. Save and reboot the machine.

4. PXE boot will begin → You should see the Serva menu.

5. Select Win10_Pro (or your folder name) → Windows installation will start.

✅ Optional: Automate With Answer Files (Unattended Install)

• You can use Windows System Image Manager (WSIM) from Windows ADK to create an unattended XML file.

• Place the answer file in:

C:\Serva\Root\WIA_WDS\Win10_Pro\$OEM$\$$\Panther\Unattend.xml

• This will automate the install process (e.g., skip license, input key, etc.)

PXE Boot via WDS (on Windows Server)

If you’re using Windows Server, here's a quick overview:

1. Install Windows Deployment Services (WDS)

• Go to Server Manager > Add Roles and Features

• Select Windows Deployment Services

• Install both Deployment Server and Transport Server

2. Configure WDS

• Launch WDS

• Configure a Deployment Server

• Set folder path for images

• Add a Boot Image (from sources\boot.wim in the Windows ISO)

• Add a Install Image (from sources\install.wim)

3. Enable PXE Response

• Right-click on the server in WDS > Properties

• Go to PXE Response tab

• Select “Respond to all (known and unknown) clients”

4. PXE Boot Client

• PXE-boot the client

• Windows PE environment will launch, and you can start installation

Troubleshooting Tips

• Make sure firewall or antivirus isn't blocking TFTP/UDP ports (69, 4011)

• Ensure the client and PXE server are on the same subnet (or relay DHCP)

• DHCP must not conflict with PXE server if not using Proxy DHCP

• Use a wired connection for PXE boot — Wi-Fi usually doesn’t support it

Virtual machine installation

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to install Windows 10 or 11 in a virtual machine (VM) using a sandboxed environment. This guide uses VirtualBox (free and widely used), but the general process is similar for VMware Workstation, Hyper-V, or others.

🔧 Prerequisites

1. Hardware

   • A computer with virtualization support (VT-x for Intel, AMD-V for AMD)

   • At least 8 GB RAM (16 GB recommended)

   • Enough disk space (at least 50 GB free)

2. Software

   • VirtualBox

   • Windows 10 ISO or Windows 11 ISO

   • (Optional) VirtualBox Extension Pack

Step-by-Step: Install Windows 10/11 in VirtualBox (Sandboxed)

Step 1: Enable Virtualization in BIOS

1. Reboot your system and enter BIOS/UEFI (Del, F2, or as per your device).

2. Enable:

   • Intel VT-x or AMD-V

   • Secure Boot (optional for Windows 11)

   • TPM 2.0 (for Windows 11)

Step 2: Install VirtualBox

1. Download VirtualBox from the official site.

2. Install it like any other program.

3. (Optional) Install the Extension Pack for better device support.

Step 3: Create a New Virtual Machine

1. Open VirtualBox → Click New.

2. Name it: Windows 10 or Windows 11

3. Select:

   • Type: Microsoft Windows

   • Version: Windows 10 (64-bit) or Windows 11 (64-bit)

4. Click Next

Step 4: Allocate Resources

• Memory (RAM): Minimum 4096 MB (8 GB preferred for Windows 11)

• Processors: 2 (or more, depending on your CPU)

• Hard Disk: Create a virtual hard disk → VDI → Dynamically allocated → At least 50 GB

Step 5: Mount ISO and Configure VM

1. Go to Settings > Storage

2. Under Controller: IDE, click the empty disk icon

3. Choose a disk file → Select your Windows ISO

4. Go to Settings > System:

   • Boot order: Uncheck Floppy

   • Enable EFI (for Windows 11)

5. Go to Settings > Display:

   • Video memory: 128 MB

Step 6: Optional Security/Sandboxing

To sandbox the VM further:

• Network Isolation:

  • Go to Settings > Network → Adapter 1 → Choose Host-only Adapter or Internal Network

• Snapshot: Take a snapshot before first boot

• Shared Folder/Clipboard: Disable shared clipboard and drag & drop under General > Advanced

Step 7: Start the VM and Install Windows

1. Click Start

2. The VM will boot into the Windows installer

3. Follow the on-screen steps:

   • Choose language and region

   • Click Install Now

   • Select Custom Installation

   • Install on the virtual drive

   • Let Windows install and reboot

⚫ Step 8: Post-Installation Setup

1. Set up your username, password, privacy options

2. Install Guest Additions:

   • Devices > Insert Guest Additions CD

   • Run the installer inside Windows VM

3. Restart the VM

Extra Tips for Sandboxing

• Use snapshots before testing unknown software

• Disable internet access (optional) via VirtualBox network settings

• Set up a non-persistent disk (advanced usage)

• Use differencing disks or clone VMs for disposable environments