Windows 11 22H2 is expected to be available during the second half of 2022, and the best way to upgrade is to perform a clean install using a USB flash drive.
Although Microsoft always recommends using an in-place upgrade through Windows Update, changing the current installation can always cause unexpected problems and errors due to compatibility issues and custom system configurations you may have implemented in the past. When you use a clean install of Windows 11 22H2, the changes to the problem will be minimal because you will delete everything and apply a fresh copy of the operating system.
Also, if you’ve had the same setup for several months, clearing everything and starting from scratch can help resolve existing issues and improve startup times, performance, and memory usage.
While there are several ways to proceed with a clean install, the best way is to use bootable USB media with Windows 11 22H2 files, which you can create using the Media Creation Tool, an official ISO file, or third-party tools like Rufus.
Important: These instructions are for installing version 22H2 after it has been officially released. If you upgrade to the version before it becomes officially available, you may encounter bugs and issues. It is also recommended to create a temporary full backup before proceeding.
Clean install Windows 11 22H2 from USB
The installation process requires creating a USB flash drive with the installation files. You then need to boot your computer with the bootable media to run Windows 11 22H2 Setup. Also, you have to make sure that the computer can start from a USB flash drive, which means that you may need to change the UEFI settings. Since firmware settings are different on each computer, you should check the manufacturer’s support website for more specific details.
To perform a clean install of Windows 11 22H2 from USB, use the following steps:
- Start the computer with a USB flash drive for Windows 11.
- Press any button to continue.
- Click the “Next” button.
Click the Install Now button.
Click the I don’t have a product key option if you are reinstalling. If Windows 11 is already activated after installation, it will automatically reactivate.
- Select the version of “Windows 11” that the license key activates (if applicable).
- Select the I accept the license terms option.
- Click the “Next” button.
- Select the Custom option: Install Windows only (Advanced)
- Select the hard disk partition you want to install Windows 11 22H2 and click the Delete button. (Usually “Drive 0” is the drive that contains all the installation files.)
Warning: When you delete a partition, it also deletes all data on the drive. Also, partitions from a secondary hard drive do not have to be deleted.
- Select your hard drive (Drive 0 Unallocated Space) to install Windows
- Click the “Next” button.
- Select your country setting after installing it on the first page of the Out-of-Out-Out-Out-Experience (OOBE)
- Click the “Yes” button.
- Select Set up keyboard layout.
- Click the “Yes” button.
- Click the Skip button if you do not need to configure a second layout.
If the computer is using an Ethernet connection, it will automatically connect to the network. If you have a wireless connection, you will need to set up the connection manually (a security key may be required).
- (Optional) Confirm a name for the computer.
- Click the “Next” button. (The device will restart automatically.)
- Select the Setup for Personal Use option for Windows 11 Pro. The “Home” version does not have this option.
- Click the “Next” button.
- Confirm your Microsoft account email, phone number, or Skype ID to create an account.
- Click the “Next” button.
- Confirm your Microsoft account password.
- Click the “Next” button.
- Click the Create PIN button
- Click the OK button.
- Select the “Set up as new device” option. Or select to restore settings from a previous installation.
- Click the “Next” button.
- Confirm the privacy settings that best suit your situation by turning the toggle switch on or off for each setting.
- Click the “Next” button.
- Click the “Next” button again.
- Click the Accept button.
- (Optional) On the Let’s Personalize Your Experience page, select one or more ways you plan to use the device to allow Setup to suggest tools and customize services during this experience.
- Click the Accept button to continue. Or click the “Skip” button to skip this part of the setup.
- (Optional) Use the icon to link the Android phone option or tap the Skip option.
- Select the “Back up my files with OneDrive” option to automatically upload your Desktop, Pictures, and Documents folders to the cloud. Or select the “Save file on this computer only” option.
- Click the “Next” button.
- Click the No, thanks to skip Microsoft 365 setup button.
Once you complete the steps, Windows 11 22H2 will finish the clean installation on your PC
