Install Windows 10/11 from a USB — and how to make the bootable pendrive

This guide makes a bootable USB on any working computer, then does a clean install of Windows 10/11 on your laptop. A clean install ERASES the laptop — back up first. If this is a company laptop, check with IT before wiping it (we often re-image devices for you).

1. Back up everything. A clean install erases the whole drive. Copy your files to Google Drive or an external drive, and note any apps/licences you'll need again.

2. On another working computer, get the installer. You need a spare USB pen drive (8 GB+ for Windows, 4 GB+ for Ubuntu — it will be erased) and a PC/Mac with internet.
• Windows: go to microsoft.com/software-download and download the "Media Creation Tool".
• Ubuntu: go to ubuntu.com/download and download the Ubuntu Desktop .iso (e.g. 24.04 LTS).

3. Create the bootable USB.
• Easiest for Windows: run the Media Creation Tool > "Create installation media (USB flash drive)" > pick language/edition > select your USB. It downloads and writes automatically.
• For any .iso (Windows OR Ubuntu): use Rufus (rufus.ie) on Windows — Device = your USB; Boot selection = SELECT the .iso; Partition scheme = GPT; Target = UEFI; click START and wait for "Ready". On a Mac, use balenaEtcher (balena.io/etcher) to write the .iso instead.

4. Boot the laptop from the USB. Plug the USB into the target laptop, switch on, and immediately tap the boot-menu key, then pick the USB (shown as "UEFI: <name>"). HP: tap Esc then F9. ASUS: Esc or F8. Dell: F12. Lenovo: F12 or the Novo button. If the USB isn't listed, enter BIOS (HP F10) and enable USB boot / set Boot Mode to UEFI, and temporarily disable Secure Boot.

5. Start Windows Setup. Choose language/time/keyboard > Next > Install now. If asked for a product key, click "I don't have a product key" (company/OEM devices activate automatically later). Pick the edition (usually Windows 11 Pro for work) and accept the licence.

6. Choose where to install (clean install). Pick "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)". Select each partition on the INTERNAL disk and Delete until it's all "Unallocated Space", then select that space and click Next. Windows copies files and reboots — REMOVE the USB at the first reboot so it doesn't restart the installer. (Deleting partitions erases data — make sure you backed up and are wiping the internal disk, not an external one.)

7. First-time setup. Follow the prompts for region, keyboard, network and sign-in. On a work laptop, sign in with your Iksula account or set it up as IT directs.

8. Install drivers and updates. A fresh install often has no Wi-Fi/sound/graphics until drivers are added. Get online (Ethernet or phone USB tethering), run Windows Update fully, and install the maker's driver pack. For HP 240-series, see "No drivers after installing Windows 11 (HP 240 G8 / G7 / G9)".

9. Check activation. Settings > System > Activation. Company laptops usually auto-activate via the device's digital licence once online. If it says "not activated", raise a ticket. For Office/Excel, see "Excel / Microsoft Office shows Unlicensed Product".

Prefer to install Ubuntu instead? The USB steps are identical (use the Ubuntu .iso); then see "Installing Ubuntu 24.04 LTS — clean install and repair install".